Cosplay Masquerade Rules
1. Group entries are limited to a maximum of five people, who must all be from the
same published work.
2. The maximum allowed stage time is 1 minute.
3. Costumes must be based from a published or broadcast source that has been
commercially licensed. Original characters, or designs based on derivative works will
not be judged.
4. Only self-made costumes and props will be judged for the Best Overall, Best
Costume and the Best Prop prizes.
5. All costumes must adhere to the guidelines as laid out in the Costume Policy, and all
props must adhere to the guidelines as laid out in the Props and Weapons Policy.
These policies are to ensure that everyone enjoys the convention experience and is
safe while doing so.
6. All material brought onto the stage must be brought off immediately after
performance without causing any undue delay. For safety reasons, items such as
food, lasers, flash paper, lighters, confetti, rose petals, water, and other small messy
objects are strictly forbidden from the stage area.
Costume Policy
1. No costume is no costume. No clothing is no clothing. Nudity is not permitted.
2. Offensive and/or revealing clothing (including costumes) is prohibited. All clothing
(or costumes) must be tasteful and appropriate for a general audience. Appropriate
undergarments must be worn. Ineffective underwear or a lack thereof constitutes
indecent exposure, per Section 18 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1935.
3. Suitable footwear must be worn at all times within the convention centre. No bare
feet. No rollerblades, skates, skateboards, scooters, "heelies", or any form of bladed
or wheeled footwear. These may be used as props for costumes, but may not be
worn within the convention centre.
4. Signs or other materials that can be interpreted as solicitation or panhandling are
not permitted - except those considered an established part of a costume. This
applies to all types of signs and objects affixed to attendees. Any signs found in
breach of this rule may be confiscated by convention staff.
5. No real equipment of any military unit in existence after 1900 is permitted. This
especially applies to any Irish Armed Forces camouflage trousers, jackets, modern
helmets and equipment; per Section 264 of the Defence Act, 1954.
6. No individual may be directly or indirectly connected to another person - this applies
to chains, leashes, ropes, or anything else that limits mobility.
Props and Weapons Policy
This policy is in effect in order to keep a safe and fun environment for all attendees,
committee, volunteers and guests. We would request that everyone abide by the rules
outlined in this policy. Most props are permitted, however we request that attendees
exercise caution and discretion with their props.
1. If a prop/weapon is not permitted, you must immediately return it to a safe location
- for example, your vehicle or accommodation.
2. All props must be able to fit though a normal-sized door unhindered and without
assistance.
3. All props must not be so large as to be over-encumberable.
4. All props must be able to be carried by a single person.
5. Anyone found to be misusing props/weapons (horseplay, duelling, fighting,
running/swinging, brandishing threateningly etc.) will have the prop/weapon
confiscated, and may be removed from the convention centre.
Prohibited Props/Weapons
Examples
Real firearms Working, replica, disabled, or otherwise.
Projectile
BB guns, pellet guns, cap guns, paintball markers, crossbows, dart
weapons
guns, blowguns, slingshots, tasers.
*Exceptions are made for airsoft weaponry, please see below.
Live steel
Knives, swords, bayonets, daggers, switchblades, axes, skuriken,
kunai.
*Bokken, shinai and other forms of wooden/bamboo practice swords
are permitted.
Blunt weapons Batons, clubs, paddles, nunchaku.
Liquid
Water pistols, water guns, water balloons.
weapons
Explosives
Fireworks, firecrackers, sparklers, stun grenades, smoke bombs.
Chemical
Tear gas, pepper spray.
weapons
Laser devices Laser pointers, laser-aiming devices.
Other
Weapons prohibited in Ireland under the 1964 Firearms Act.
*Anyone found in possession of a prohibited weapon will be reported
to An Garda Siochána.
Signs not considered an established part of a costume.
*An example of a sign considered part of a costume would be the sign
carried by Genma the Panda from Ranma ½.
Chalkboards or whiteboards.
Airsoft Weaponry
We would like to inform attendees that airsoft weaponry have been legal in Ireland since
2006 following an amendment to the 1964 Firearms Act. Air guns are legal provided that the
device's muzzle energy is less than or equal to one joule. In order to maintain the peace and
for the safety and reassurance of attendees, committee, volunteers and guests, we have
implemented these restrictions on airsoft weaponry:





Spring-loaded airsoft weaponry is not permitted.
All loaded and carried magazines must be empty and de-gassed; and no airsoft
pellets may be carried on your person.
The weapon's chamber must be clear.
The weapon's battery must be removed.
An orange tip must be in place on the weapon's barrel, or the weapon must feature
brightly coloured markings or other apparatus.