Author: M O'Sullivan

Due to some wild weather, we’re postponing our orienteering session by a week—now happening on Sunday 2 March instead of 23 February. But don’t worry—the adventure is still ON! Sign up by Tuesday 25 Feb to join us on the epic slopes of Meelmore. Expect muddy sprints, rock-hopping leaps, and marshy mayhem—because this is Running Wild after all! Oh, and bring spare clothes… because staying clean isn’t an option! Who’s ready to take on the challenge? Full details here: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/running-wild-feb-25/ Or sign-up directly here: https://forms.office.com/r/Mb2pmEgqPB #RunningWild#Orienteering#AdventureAwaits

Notice is given of LVO’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on Saturday 8 March at 1pm. This meeting will be held in person after the morning’s Club Meet. Due to Storm Éowyn, we have had to move venue, but are currently looking into using Belvoir Forest as the Club Meet and AGM location and hope to confirm this soon. Club Meet details and sign-up can be found here: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/club-meet-mar-25/ Any member wishing to bring an item of business is requested to contact the Club Secretary.

Last chance to enter! Entries for the NI Score Orienteering Championships close this Monday 10 February at midnight! Join us in Donard Forest on Saturday 15 February (1-2pm) and see how many controls you can visit in one hour (or 45 minutes for juniors!). Don’t miss out – Enter now: https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=15142 Full event details can be found here: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/ni-score-champs-25/ NIOA Prize-giving and AGM will follow the Score event at 4pm in Kilmeggan Centre, Castlewellan.

Running Wild is taking on the mountains! Join us on Sunday 23 February, 11am-12.30pm for an epic orienteering session on the slopes of Meelmore! Get ready to dash through mud, leap off rocks, and bounce through marshes—it’s going to be wild! Don’t forget spare clothes, kids… because getting mucky is guaranteed! Who’s in? Full details can be found here or via the QR Code: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/running-wild-feb-25/ And sign-up directly here: https://forms.office.com/r/Mb2pmEgqPB

It’s hard to comprehend the damage that Storm Éowyn has wrecked on Northern Irish forests until you see them for yourselves. To get a sense of what we are dealing with, Stephen Reid has produced an incredibly sad but unfortunately truthful video from Tardree Forest. As we are slowly allowed back into our woodlands, we are coming to terms with the fact that we will not be able to orienteer in some areas for the foreseeable future. We are currently undertaking an audit of our forest maps so that we have a full picture, but stories like 10,000 trees down Read More …

It is with great happiness and relief that we can announce entries for the NI Score Orienteering Championships are now open. Taking place in Donard Forest on Saturday 15 February 1pm-2pm, see how many controls you can visit within an hour (or 45mins for juniors)! Full details can be found here: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/ni-score-champs-25/ Enter directly here: https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=15142 NIOA Prize-giving and AGM will follow the Score event at 4pm in Kilmeggan Centre, Castlewellan. It is with equal sadness that we’ve had to cancel the NI Night Championships. Storm Éowyn decimated Castlewellan Forest. We thank the event officials (Mark, Jo, Carol and Greg) Read More …

After checking Stranmillis College for storm damage, we’re happy to say that our Club Meet on Saturday 8 February will definitely take place. Come along to practice sprint orienteering, control descriptions, parts of the 2011 JK course and a fun relay to end with. Full details can be found here: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/club-meet-feb-25/ Or sign-up straightaway here: https://forms.office.com/r/UGXZmq6mxw

It was our intention to open this week entries for the NI Score Championships in Donard Forest and NI Night Championships in Castlewellan Forest Park (scheduled for Saturday 15 February). After the passing of Storm Éowyn, we are now unsure whether or not these forests are still runnable or even standing. We’ve been unable to access Castlewellan and event officials are planning to check Donard this coming weekend. Once we carry out checks and event officials report back whether the planned courses can be run, we can then make the decision whether or the events can take place on Saturday Read More …

Firstly I hope that everyone is safe and sound after the weekend of storms. I know that there is a massive clear-up on a personal level, with garden trees down, glasshouses broken, tiles dislodged. I know also that many of you have been without power, broadband and mobile signal. I hope that everything is soon restored, cleaned up and put back in place, so that we can get on with our daily lives again. There are many reports of devastation to the forests that we orienteer in. I’ve heard that Castlewellan and Kilbroney are still closed, with trees down across Read More …

Due to the severe weather, Cairn Wood has been closed by the council and unfortunately we have to postpone tomorrow (Saturday’s) Club Score Champs. We will look to arrange another date (potentially Saturday 22 March, TBC) and carry over the entries that are currently in the system. Alternatively, if you want to cancel your entry for a refund please contact us at entries @ lvo.org.uk