Major step forward for Longford and Midlands tabletop gaming community

The inaugural committee for The Midlands Adventurers Guild has been elected following the community's first AGM.

What started as eight strangers meeting to play the popular tabletop roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons two years ago, has now morphed into a massive community spread across Longford, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan and Westmeath.

In little under a year, close to 100 people have joined the original eight and formed a vibrant community of storytellers, heroes, villains and adventurers.

Dungeons & Dragons is a collaborative storytelling game where players create heroes and embark on epic adventures.

Together, they explore worlds, face challenges, fight monsters and shape the outcome through imagination and dice rolls.

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Formerly known as 'Longford Dungeons and Dragons', the group recently re-christened themselves the 'Midlands Adventurers Guild' to better encompass the large number of new members in the Midlands and Midwest.

At the group's first AGM this week, a new committee was established to help guide the development of the community.

They include: Chairperson Tomás Skinner, Secretary Lou Lewis, Treasurer David Greaney, PRO Daniel Considine, committee members Lauren O'Malley, Adam Mawdesley and Stephen Brady.

Group Chairperson Tomás Skinner says, "Tabletop roleplaying has given me, and so many people I know, a valuable social and creative outlet, and through it we have formed friendships with people of all ages and backgrounds that will last a lifetime. This society exists to make sure that experience is open to all across the Midlands."

Much of the group's activities have taken place in Longford town so far, with the Bottleneck Bar on the Market Square kindly letting the community use their event room to host games, meetings and social nights.

A main focus of the new committee is to now expand the availability of tabletop games out to the surrounding counties to enable people across the region to take part in the hobby and the connected benefits.

The group also intends to continue working with stakeholders such as local authorities, youth groups and state bodies to provide activities and events for people of all ages.

Recent studies have shown that games such as Dungeons & Dragons support mental health by encouraging social connection, creativity, and self expression in a safe, cooperative environment.

Through roleplay and problem solving, players build confidence, empathy, and communication skills while reducing stress and improving emotional wellbeing.

The Midland's Adventurers Guild continues to run monthly open nights for both experienced and beginner players alike, with more information available on our Facebook Page: Midlands Adventurers Guild or by email: longfordttrpg@gmail.com

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