The organisers of Back To Our Past (BTOP), Ireland's major annual genealogy get-together, have published revised dates for this year's show and a (minor) change of venue.
The show will move forward one week to be held on Friday 9th (Noon to 6pm), Saturday 10th (11am to 6pm) and Sunday 11th October (11 to 6pm).
Speaking to Irish Genealogy News today, Show Director John Lowe said the date swop resulted from concern among some advertisers that the Quarter Finals of the Rugby World Cup, scheduled for the original weekend dates, might cause a clash of interests. (Whether this was a concern about a clash of interest for potential visitors or the exhibitors' staff, I didn't ask.)
Ireland has some chance of being in the quarter finals, apparently.
Because the usual BTOP venue – the Industries Hall at the RDS – is not available for the new dates, Back To Our Past will move to the Serpentine Hall. All the genealogy exhibitors and all the family history and genetic genealogy lectures will be held in the same area, which is a distinct and dedicated venue adjacent to the Main Hall and the Over 50s Show.
The BTOP website is in the process of being amended. The eagle-eyed will note that the daily admission fee has been reduced by 50% to €5.