The Kerryman (North Kerry)

Killarney comes alive for Insomnia

- By SIMON BROUDER

THOUSANDS of video game fans - of all ages and from across Ireland and the UK - descended on the INEC in Killarney for second Insomnia Ireland Gaming festival which took place over the weekend.

The massive INEC venue was entirely taken up by the electrifyi­ng high tech event, which attracted around 5,000 visitors over its three day run time.

Among the myriad of interactiv­e attraction­s gamers were able to face off against each other in tournament­s and competitio­ns where they tested each others mettle on the likes of soccer sim FIFA 17 and fan favourite fighting game Tekken.

The INEC was divided into various areas and arenas each of which offered up their own vast selection of interactiv­e electronic delights.

In the various zones gamers could bring in their own computers to engage in mass battles on a huge shared network; watch some of YouTube’s most popular gaming broadcaste­rs on the main stage or try their hands at Virtual Reality the new technology that’s taking the world of video games by storm.

For those who needed to take a break from gaming there was also a massive retail area and an extensive exhibition of gaming memorabili­a.

Readers may assume video gaming is the sole preserve of young boys and teenagers but the age profile of the attendees and the large number of girls and women at the event would quickly put paid to that particular misconcept­ion.

Insomnia’s organisers Multiplay said their second Irish event had been an enormous success and that they’re already planning a third trip to the Kingdom.

 ?? Photos Valerie O’Sullivan ?? Adam O’Connor, Jack Casey and Darren Casey from Rathmore looking captivated at the Insomnia Ireland Gaming Festival, at the INEC.
Photos Valerie O’Sullivan Adam O’Connor, Jack Casey and Darren Casey from Rathmore looking captivated at the Insomnia Ireland Gaming Festival, at the INEC.
 ??  ?? Ruby and Eoin O’Donovan try their hands at Virtual Reality
Ruby and Eoin O’Donovan try their hands at Virtual Reality
 ??  ?? Rory McDonnell, Beaufort, engrossed in the Minecraft at the Insomnia Gaming Festival.
Rory McDonnell, Beaufort, engrossed in the Minecraft at the Insomnia Gaming Festival.
 ??  ?? Denis Glagiss, Maxim Kasakitis, Alexandra Bilokhvost from Killarney enjoy the mobile gaming room at the Insomnia Festival.
Denis Glagiss, Maxim Kasakitis, Alexandra Bilokhvost from Killarney enjoy the mobile gaming room at the Insomnia Festival.

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