The Dublin Hackerspace
As the summer comes to an end we wanted to share with you our member’s garden activities. We are not just interested in technology around here. Below are photos from our members on a range of different fruit and vegetables grown.
First up my own yellow cherry tomato.
Potatoes from a member in Kildare.
Continue reading “Tog Harvest”One of our members came to lockpicking night with a problem. Their 1980s pride and joy motor had a passenger door locked. So easy to open? Well, there was also the problem that this door has no keyhole. Not wanting to break the lock and damage the car, the member took it to Conor the host of our lockpicking group night. After a little study and poking around with the mechanism, the door opened to many happy faces.
If you are interested in exploring the world of lockpicking, please drop by our bi-weekly Thursday night sessions.
Dublin Maker takes the form of a “show and tell” experience where inventors/makers sourced through an open call, will have an opportunity to showcase their creations in a carnival atmosphere. It is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the maker movement. It’s a place where people show what they are making and share what they are learning. Makers range from tech enthusiasts to crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, artists, science clubs, students, authors and commercial exhibitors. They are of all ages and backgrounds, coming from all over Ireland and beyond.
Saturday 2nd of September 2023 10 am – 6 pm, Richmond Barracks, Inchicore, Dublin 8, D08 YY05
This year there will be over 40 exhibitors and we are one of them.
We are running a repair café – a community gathering place where people can bring their broken items, such as appliances, clothing, bicycles, or electronics, to be repaired by skilled volunteers for free. The idea behind repair cafes is to promote sustainability and reduce waste by encouraging people to repair and reuse their belongings instead of throwing them away. We regularly run a repair café in our own space in Bluebell, and we want to bring it to Dublin Maker to teach people about repair and promote a more sustainable lifestyle.
We will also show off some other projects that our members have made – for example, we are planning to have a hot air balloon, a light-up sculpture visualising network traffic, interactive games for visitors…
In a heartening stride towards fostering community enrichment and combating isolation, Tog Hackerspace has been awarded a one-off fund under the Department’s Community Enhancement Programme, overseen by the Dublin City Council. This grant comes as a resounding endorsement of Tog Hackerspace’s commitment to providing a safe haven for individuals of all walks of life to connect, create, and learn together. At its core, this grant will sustain our cherished free weekly open nights, amplifying their impact for the betterment of the community.
Empowering Connection: In a world where isolation can creep into the lives of the most vulnerable, Tog Hackerspace’s open nights stand as beacons of inclusion and togetherness. Our open nights have long served as a vital resource for those susceptible to feelings of isolation, including the elderly, the long-term unemployed, and new communities seeking a sense of belonging. Stepping beyond the confines of conventional leisure activities like sports or music, Tog Hackerspace provides a unique outlet for individuals drawn to the allure of creation and collaboration.
A Creative Haven: Tog Hackerspace is more than a venue; it’s a vibrant hub where passion meets purpose. As we stand on the cusp of an era where creativity and innovation are paramount, our space fills a niche that transcends the ordinary. It’s a space where people converge not to watch but to participate, where they delve into the art of making alongside kindred spirits. The grant will facilitate the continuation of these gatherings, ensuring that this haven for creative expression remains accessible to all.
The Heart of Peer-to-Peer Learning: At Tog Hackerspace, we believe that the truest form of learning is that which is shared. Our group nights, thoughtfully designed around an array of themes, encapsulate this ethos. Our approach champions a low barrier to entry, inviting anyone with a spark of curiosity to drop by and be part of something bigger. The peer-to-peer model we employ provides an environment where skills and knowledge are exchanged freely, bolstering a sense of community and empowerment.
Biweekly Rhythms of Connection: The grant’s impact will reverberate through our events, which operate on a biweekly cycle. These events serve as not just gatherings, but as touchpoints that foster ongoing relationships and collaborations. With the newfound resources at our disposal, we’re poised to elevate the quality of these experiences, ensuring that each gathering is a meaningful step towards building lasting connections.
As we look ahead to the months ahead, buoyed by the support of the Community Enhancement Programme and Dublin City Council, Tog Hackerspace stands ready to make a lasting difference. With the grant firmly in place, we’re poised to uphold the values of inclusivity, creativity, and shared knowledge. Tog Hackerspace’s open nights will continue to be a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives, where innovation flourishes and the joy of connection knows no bounds.
Check out our calendar or meetup page.
We would like to thank the Department of Rural and Community Development, Dublin City LCDC and Dublin City Council for this grant.
Last Sunday’s Repair Café was a smashing hit, and we couldn’t be prouder of the incredible turnout and enthusiasm from the community! With 27 diverse items seeking a second chance, the event was an exciting mix of lamps, toasters, sewing machines, clothing, radios, and even drones – a true testament to the power of repair and resourcefulness.
🔧 19 Items Restored, A Brighter Future Ahead:
Thanks to the unwavering dedication of our skilled volunteers, 19 items were successfully fixed and reunited with their owners. Witnessing these items head home, ready to serve their purpose for many more years to come, filled us with immense joy. Each repair was a small but impactful step towards a more sustainable world.
🛠️ Encouraging Future Fixes:
For the 5 items that required spare parts beyond our current stock, we encouraged their owners to join us at our next Repair Café at Dublin Maker in Richmond Barracks on the 2nd of September. We’ll be thrilled to assist them in installing the new parts, ensuring their beloved belongings are given the attention they deserve.
💔 A Farewell to 3 Items:
While it’s disheartening to bid farewell to 3 items that have reached their end of life, we remain optimistic about their impact on recycling efforts. We ensure these items will be responsibly recycled, contributing to the circular economy and minimizing waste.
🌟 Dublin Maker: The Next Repair Café Stop 🌟
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Repair Café at Dublin Maker in Richmond Barracks on the 2nd of September! We’re eager to welcome old friends and new faces as we continue our journey of promoting sustainability, resourcefulness, and the joy of repair.
Thank you to each and every one of you who made the last Repair Café an extraordinary success. Your passion for sustainability and community engagement drives us forward. Together, let’s create a greener, more resilient future, one repair at a time!
Stay tuned for more updates, and we can’t wait to see you at Dublin Maker in September! 🛠️🌱
Dublin Comic Con returns to the Convention Centre Dublin on August 12th and 13th. We will be there for the summer edition. This is Ireland’s leading pop culture event. An event for the whole family. Covering everything from movies/tv shows to comics, cosplay and gaming!
We will have a fan table on both days. We are excited to showcase some cosplays that were built by our members. New sample projects to give everyone an idea of what can be built in our space. Please drop by and say hello.
You can find out more about the event via the following link.
https://www.dublincomiccon.com/ticket-information
We had lots of fun back at the spring edition you can check out some snaps in our gallery.
