It’s hard to believe it’s been one year since we covered our first con as Nerdgeist and on that one year anniversary it was great to be welcomed back to Titancon.  No matter how many big cons I get to there is nothing like the more intimate experience an event like this can and will bring. Returning to the Wellington Park hotel this event is well situated in that it’s near the city centre.

From my experience this con is fairly unique in its format. Friday begins with the ever fun literature night. Literature night started at 7pm and ended an hour later than planned at 10pm. Literature night is a relaxed evening where many of the guest writers get together and demonstrate some of their excellent craft. It’s full of the classic banter and craic that you would expect from a Belfast event, plus it’s right next to a bar, so it’s a WIN! The evening even included some fantastic art displays and the event is free, so seriously who in their right mind would give this a miss?

If Friday is the pre-drinks then Saturday is the main event. With the writers from the first night and some fantastic Game of Thrones guests, mixed with games, some merchandise and plenty of entertainment this shaped up to be an excellent day.

As with last year Titancon had some great workshops including Comic Book Factory, Dothraki Jewellery Workshop,Medieval Combat Workshop, Writers’ Workshop and Iron Bank of Braavos Coin Bag Workshop.

If you need a break from the panels and workshops there was plenty of good old fashioned board gaming, with the Terry Pratchet inspired Guards! Guards! And Clacks! A Discworld Boardgame plus my old favourite Luchador! Mexican Wrestling Dice.

If that’s not enough for you the day had even more to offer in the form of:

• Opening Ceremony
• The Great TitanCon Quiz
• Medieval Combat Demonstration
• Brutal Ballet
• Closing Ceremony – including Raffle Prize Draw and Auction
• Doctor Who: Listen
• Tai Chi Session
• Cinema: Sci-Fi Shorts
• Masquerade
• Party and Karaoke!

The Saturday night ended with a nice party which is great, you have spent your entire day with a bunch of strangers so why not just get hammered and party.

Sadly I was unable to yet again attend the Sunday coach tour. If I was to sum it up in one word that word would be AWESOME.  You get to see Westeros in an up close and personal style, yet not get decapitated; it’s a total win win situation. The plans for the day where as follows:

• 10:00 am Depart Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast
• 11:00 am Arrive Castle Ward
• Winterfell Courtyard
• Ned and Robert’s Picnic
• Brienne cuts down hanging Lannisters
• Winterfell Archery
• Meet the Direwolf pups
• 2:30 pm Depart Castle Ward
• 3:15 pm Arrive Whitespots Country Park
• 45 pm Depart Whitespots Country Park
• 4:00 pm Arrive Clandeboye Estate Woods
• Craster’s Keep and Jaime’s Stump
• 4:45 pm Depart Clandeboye Estate Woods
• 5:00 pm Arrive Clandeboye Estate Courtyard
• Medieval feast
• 7:30 pm Depart Clandeboye Estate Courtyard
• 7:45 pm Drop off at Belfast City Airport
• 7:55 pm Drop off at Europa Bus Station
• 8:00 pm Drop off at Wellington Park Hotel

This con does not follow the normal set rules of a con and that’s what makes it great. Just like Game of Thrones, it’s filled with great possibility and its just that little bit of unusual, it’s a fantastic way to spend your weekend and one of my favourite conventions to go to. You can check out our panel reviews here.