Category: News

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Retro Computing & Gaming Day at TOG

Join us for an afternoon of retro computing and classic gaming as we celebrate the golden age of vintage systems and consoles! Whether you’re a long-time collector, a retro gaming enthusiast, or just curious about the technology of the past, this event is the perfect opportunity to explore and relive the magic of classic computing and gaming.

What to Expect:

Neo Geo Pocket Color: Experience the vibrant world of SNK’s handheld console, known for its rich library of 2D fighting games and unique clicky thumbstick.

Sega Saturn & Dreamcast: Immerse yourself in the legendary Sega Saturn and Dreamcast, two consoles that pushed the boundaries of gaming with innovative 3D graphics and online capabilities.

Vintage Computing Systems: A variety of classic machines will be available to explore, offering a hands-on look at the evolution of computing and gaming from the 80s and 90s.

Activities:

  • Hands-on Demonstrations: Get up close with vintage computers and consoles, testing out classic games and software.
  • Show and Tell: Bring along your own retro systems, share their history, and connect with fellow enthusiasts.

Event Details:

  • Date: Saturday, 5th April 2025
  • Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: TOG Hackerspace
  • Cost: Free (Donations welcome via Eventbrite)

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/retro-computing-gaming-day-at-tog-tickets-1299309201799?aff=oddtdtcreator

Want to showcase your own system? Email us to reserve a table!

Also happening at TOG: Earlier in the day, we’re hosting a Soldering Workshop! If you’re interested in learning or improving your soldering skills, check out the details and register here: https://www.tog.ie/2025/03/soldering-workshop-3/

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Dublin Comic Con Spring 2025

Dublin Comic Con returns to the Convention Centre Dublin on March 15th and 16th, and we are excited to be taking part in the Spring Edition! As Ireland’s leading pop culture event, Dublin Comic Con is a celebration of movies, TV shows, comics, cosplay, and gaming—a must-visit for fans of all things geeky.

We will have a fan table on both days, where we’ll be showcasing amazing projects built by our members. Whether you’re into electronics, 3D printing, or creative making, come by and see what’s possible in our community makerspace. It’s a great chance to chat with us, learn more about Tog, and get inspired to start your own projects.

Be sure to drop by and say hello—we’d love to meet you!

Find out more about the event here:

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Fingal Makerspace Repair Cafe

We are teaming up with Fingal Makerspace and Make Create Innovate to host a Repair Cafe in Blanchardstown. The aim is to bring together skilled volunteers and community members who want to repair their broken household items.

Our passionate team of skilled volunteers will be on hand to help you fix everything from electronics and appliances to furniture and clothing, all while sharing valuable repair skills and promoting a sustainable lifestyle.

At the Repair Café , you can:

  • Learn essential repair techniques from our expert makers and volunteers
  • Discover the joy of fixing things and reducing waste in a collaborative, community-focused environment
  • Connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about sustainability and the maker movement

So grab your broken treasures and join us for a day of mending, learning, and connection at Fingal Makerspace Repair Café. Together, we can build a more sustainable future and celebrate the power of repair!

Date: Saturday 29th March 2025

Time: 11 am – 3 pm

Location: Fingal Makerspace

More info & Tickets : https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/fingal-makerspace-repair-cafe-all-ages-tickets-1249306582619?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

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A Day to Finish What You Started – Finish-a-thon

At TOG, we love hacking, tinkering, and creating—but let’s be honest, sometimes projects get left unfinished. That’s why we’re hosting a Finish-a-thon, a one-day community hackathon dedicated to wrapping up those lingering projects. Whether it’s coding, crafting, designing, writing, or fixing, this is your chance to make real progress and cross something off your to-do list!

Event Details: 📅 Date: Saturday, 15th February
⏰ Time: 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: TOG Hackerspace, Unit 1B Motor City, Kylemore Road, Dublin 12, D12 CF6V
🍕 Bonus: Stick around afterwards for our monthly open social with homemade pizza!

What’s the Plan?

  • Kick off at 10:30 AM with a casual start.
  • Share your project or join someone else’s.
  • Work throughout the day with the support of the TOG community.
  • No official prizes—just the satisfaction of progress (and maybe some fun surprises!).

What Can You Work On? Anything goes! This is an open hackathon where you can:

  • Squash that annoying bug in your open-source code.
  • Wrap up a writing or design piece.
  • Complete an electronics kit gathering dust.
  • Revamp, repair, or refine something you’ve been meaning to finish.

What Should You Bring?

  • Whatever tools and materials you need for your project.
  • A laptop is always a good idea.
  • TOG has plenty of spare parts and resources, but be prepared to take home what you bring.

If you don’t have a project, no worries! There’s always someone who could use a helping hand.

We’d love to get an idea of numbers, so please register on Meetup or Eventbrite if you’re coming. If you’d like to support the space, consider giving a donation via Eventbrite to help us continue hosting great community events. Any questions? Just ask!

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/a-day-to-finish-what-you-started-finish-a-thon-tickets-1232717704839?aff=oddtdtcreator

We look forward to seeing you there!

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The Irish Embassy at 38C3

This Christmas saw the much-anticipated return of the Chaos Communications Congress, 38C3. The event once again brought hackers and makers from across the globe to Hamburg.

One of the Congress’s standout features is Assemblies—self-organized spaces where individuals with shared interests or projects gather to collaborate, learn, and share. Among these was the Irish Embassy, a collective of hackers and makers with ties to Ireland.

This year’s Irish Embassy crew brought together enthusiasts from across the island, including many from Tog Hackerspace. As space was at a primer we shared with our friends from the Scottish Consulate. We formed a haven for Type G power sockets for those in need.

Our own crew put on a couple of workshops on building satellite ground stations and understanding IoT with Arduino Cloud.

For a glimpse into the action, check out our gallery.

Looking ahead, the Irish Embassy will be reuniting at Why2025 this August. You can stay updated on their plans and activities through their Mastodon account: https://chaos.social/@irishembassy.

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Maker Tour of Croatia: 12 Days of Making and Exploring

This post is from our member Jeffrey Roe, who is sharing his trip to Croatia. Over about a week, Jeffrey gave talks at conferences, got stuck into maker events, visited fab labs and hackerspaces, and even managed a bit of island hopping. Here’s how it all went.

Day 1: Landing in Zagreb

After touching down in Zagreb, I had some time to get my bearings and settle in. It’s a lovely city, and I was looking forward to a busy few days ahead. The Science Connecting People (SCOPE) Conference kicked off with a half-day session in Europe House.

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