Board Games Ireland was set up in 2013 when our founder, Gavin Byrne, realised that collecting board games and actually playing them are two very different hobbies — and the playing one is harder, because finding people to play with is tough!
More than a decade later, we've grown into one of the largest board gaming communities in the country, with over 10,000 members on Meetup and a 4.7-star rating from thousands of reviews.
We're a community of people who simply enjoy playing board games. From casual players and complete beginners to dedicated hobbyists with shelves full of games, there's room for everyone.
Our regular meetups take place in pubs and other venues around Dublin, providing opportunities to meet new people, discover new games and, most importantly, get those games off the shelf and onto the table!
BGICON – Board Games Ireland Convention
BGICON was established in 2017 as an opportunity to bring the Board Games Ireland community together for a full day dedicated to tabletop gaming.
The first convention took place at The Teachers' Club in Dublin and was built around a simple idea: give board gamers the space, time and facilities to enjoy the hobby beyond the confines of our regular pub meetups.
The event proved popular, becoming an opportunity for members and visitors to meet, play games, discover new titles and spend time with fellow enthusiasts.
Like many community events, BGICON was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and went on hiatus for several years.
In 2026, we were delighted to bring the convention back, welcoming the community together once again for a full day of gaming.
With its return proving successful, we're looking forward to building on that momentum.
BGICON 2027 will be our sixth convention, continuing a tradition that began in 2017 and celebrating the community that has grown around Board Games Ireland.
