Community Support Fund

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.

  • Monday Electronics Night
  • Wednesday Maker Night
  • Thursday Lockpicking

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.

raSTEM Visit

We welcomed members of the raSTEM project from Croatia. They are on a fact-finding trip to Dublin visiting STEM formal educators and non-formal.

Our own Jeffrey Roe gave them a tour and talk about what we do in Tog.

“raSTEM – Development of STEM in Vukovar”, which is supported by the European Union (European Social Fund/ Office for Associations of the Government of the Republic of Croatia).
The goal of the raSTEM project is to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations to popularize STEM through the development of new and innovative STEM content for end users – children, youth and the population in general.

The study visit is to find examples of good practice. The group consists of 20 participants (representatives of project partners: professors, gymnasiums and technical schools from Vukovar, representatives of the University of Osijek, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Information Technologies, City of Vukovar, Vukovar Development Agency And representatives of local CSOs).

Lead partner is of the project is, YPGD MGMD Youth Peace Group Danube, Vukovar (Croatia).
The project is implemented by the partner organizations and institutions: 
1. Vura d.o.o. – Development Agency, Vukovar
2. European House, Vukovar
3. Gymnasium, Vukovar
4. Nikola Tesla Technical Secondary School, Vukovar
5. University of Osijek, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Information Technologies
6. City of Vukovar 

FOSSi: A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Silicon

Are you interested in learning about integrated circuit (IC) design and fabrication but don’t know where to start? Look no further than the Free and Open Source Silicon (FOSSi) ecosystem! Join us for an exciting and informative talk where we’ll introduce you to the FOSSi ecosystem and how it can benefit electronics enthusiasts, students, and professionals alike.

If you missed this event it is now on youtube.

Description

In this event, Thomas Pluck, a passionate FOSSi advocate, will guide you through the various aspects of the FOSSi ecosystem. He’ll provide an overview of the free and open source software (FOSS) tools available for IC design and simulation, including HDL simulators, synthesis tools, layout editors, and verification tools. You’ll learn about the community-driven approach to software development and the continuous support and updates available to FOSSi users.

Moreover, Thomas will highlight the educational resources and opportunities available through FOSSi, including online courses, webinars, and workshops. You’ll discover how FOSSi fosters innovation and collaboration through design contests and hackathons.

Finally, Thomas will discuss the affordability of IC design and fabrication through FOSSi. You’ll learn about the guidance and resources available for affordable fabrication options, enabling designers to bring their designs to life.

Continue reading “FOSSi: A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Silicon”

DIY Your Way to an Electric Vehicle

Attention all DIY enthusiasts! Are you looking for a new and exciting project that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly? Look no further than converting your own electric vehicle (EV).

Reduce, reuse, recycle – but for vehicles.

Imagine THAT car from your youth – but as an EV. Or maybe a runaround that needs little maintenance and is cheap to run?

Join fellow bike, car and motorbike tinkerers that have started the journey to convert their vehicles to EVs.

Sunday 26th February – 2 pm to 4 pm

This is an informal meetup to talk, see inside and ask questions all about the EV conversation process. This is a child-friendly event – bring the whole family. Book a ticket below.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/diy-your-way-to-an-electric-vehicle-tickets-510196380107

We’ll have tea and coffee available on site and Tog has an affordable tuck shop with fizzy drinks and snacks. Please add a donation to your ticket to support this non-profit space. Suggested donation: €10

Fiachra Cooke Audi 80

If you would like to showcase your conversion please get in touch.

This event is run in partnership with the Electronic and Computing division of Engineers Ireland. The Electronic and Computing division members work in software development and testing, including the gaming industry; mobile and fixed line telecommunications; internet services; embedded systems development and signal processing.

Update

Check out our gallery for snaps from the day.

https://www.tog.ie/gallery/nggallery/all/diy-electric-vehicle-feb

Culture Night

We are delighted to participate in Culture Night on the 23rd of September. Join a tour to find out what projects and technologies Tog works with. There will be demos of fabrication equipment such as 3D Printers, Laser Cutters, and our CNC’s. During the night you can also try your hand at an electronics project with Arduino or Raspberry Pi or for something completely different learn some lock picking. Listen to brewers describe how they manage to create the perfect beer or the crafts group on their creations. Tog encapsulates all of the maker movement with its many facets but most of all it’s a movement that everyone can take part in.

Time: 6.00pm – 10.00pm

TOG Grand Re-Opening

We are delighted to announce our grand reopening. It’s been a long road these last two years. A lot has happened in that time. We’ve moved to a new space in Bluebell and we have been running many of our regular evening events online. During Covid, we’ve missed a couple of birthday parties, umpteen Open Socials and so many of our other regular open events. It’s time now to breakout and have one monster re-opening bash. Come along on Saturday 28th May. The fun kicks off at about 7PM. Spread the word….. tell all your friends and colleagues. Expect food, birthday cake of course, and whatever else we can rustle up. Bring beer, food, gadgets yourself!


If you’ve never been to the space, we’ll be delighted to give you a tour. It’s still a work in progress, but that’s part of the fun of running a hackerspace. We get to build exactly what we want. If you would like to get even more involved and have the full use of our space, we would be delighted to have you as a full member. Membership brings many benefits. TOG has no funding apart from our amazing members monthly subs, so you could really help to keep a roof over our head by getting involved and joining us.


We are located behind Mr Price and the Bright Lights store on Kylemore Road. There is lots of parking available.