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Culture Night at Tog Hackerspace

We’re delighted to be taking part in the twentieth edition of Culture Night on Friday, 19th September 2025. It’s always a special evening where doors open all across the country, giving people the chance to step inside spaces they might not normally get to see—and we’re proud to have Tog Hackerspace included as part of Dublin’s cultural map.

Our space has been buzzing away in Dublin 12 since 2009, bringing together people who love to make, break, and tinker with everything from electronics and 3D printing to crafts, coding, and laser cutting. On Culture Night, from 19:00 to 22:00, we’ll be showing off some of the projects our members are working on, giving tours of the space, and running hands-on demos. You’ll get to meet the makers, see the tools in action, and maybe even be inspired to start your own project.

For us, culture isn’t just about galleries or theatres—it’s also about creativity, collaboration, and sharing knowledge. Hackerspaces like Tog are where technology meets art, where sustainability meets DIY, and where ideas turn into real, working things.

So, if you’ve ever wondered what goes on inside a hackerspace, this is the perfect chance to find out. Come along, have a look around, and chat with the community that makes it all happen.

👉 For more info on Culture Night events across Ireland, check out culturenight.ie.

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Rethink Your Stuff Carnival in Kilkenny

Last week, we packed up our toolboxes and headed down to Kilkenny for the Rethink Your Stuff Carnival. The event was all about celebrating repair, reuse and creative sustainability – and we were delighted to be part of it with our own Repair Table.

It was a fun afternoon full of chats with visitors (many stopping by on their lunch break) and plenty of fixes. Among the items we brought back to life were:

  • Fuses in extension leads (by the way, we’ve an upcoming plug wiring workshop – [link here])
  • A pull-up banner
  • Award trophies in need of some TLC
  • Even scissors
  • …and more!

One of the best parts of the day was sharing the space with so many other brilliant groups and makers. Big shout-out to VOICE Ireland, Ruth’s Design Studio, the Bunting Fairy, and all the other fantastic people who made the carnival such a vibrant, creative event.

Check out our gallery for even more photos. Huge thanks to the organisers for inviting us down – we had a blast and can’t wait for the next one.

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Tog Harvest 2025

Another summer is nearly wrapped up, and the Tog garden gang have been busy comparing notes on what managed to survive (and even thrive) this year. As always, it’s a bit of a mixed bag — some hits, some misses, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Another summer has come and gone, and it’s time for our annual round-up of what members managed to grow.

  • Jeffrey – tomatoes
  • Gary – chillies, tomatoes, potatoes
  • Tríona – basil for pesto, raspberries, tomatoes
  • Dimitri – grapes( I think)

Some things thrived, some things didn’t, but that’s all part of the fun of growing. Check out our gallery.

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Tog at IRTS Hamfest 2025

We’re excited to announce that Tog Hackerspace will be taking part in IRTS Hamfest 2025! The Irish Radio Transmitters Society (IRTS) is hosting this year’s Hamfest on Saturday & Sunday, September 6th–7th, 2025, at The Showgrounds, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath (Eircode: N91 HXH0).

Hamfest will be one of the highlights of the amateur radio calendar with a weekend full of hands-on activities, workshops, demonstrations, and plenty of radio fun. Whether you’re a seasoned operator, a newly licensed ham, or just radio-curious, this is the perfect event to get involved.

What Tog Will Be Doing

Our members, Jeffrey (EI7IRB) and Ben (EI9IUB), will be running a range of activities throughout the weekend, including:

  • 🔧 Soldering Workshop – learn the basics or sharpen your skills.
  • 📏 Multimeter Skills Workshop – get hands-on with practical measurement techniques.
  • 📡 Packet Radio Workshop – try out a live portable packet station in action.
  • 🎙 Light SSB Operating – have a go at making QSOs from the field.
  • 🛰 Exotic Digital Modes – explore some of the more unusual ways hams are getting signals across the globe.
  • 💻 Software Hacking – discover how code and radio come together.
  • 🌐 Meshtastic Meetup – connect with the growing Irish Meshtastic community.

We’ll be set up alongside other clubs and operators, making the most of the 30-acre site at Mullingar Showgrounds. Expect lots of radios, antennas, and opportunities to get on the air.

About Hamfest 2025

Beyond TOG’s own activities, Hamfest will feature:

  • Live QO-100 satellite station demos.
  • Portable operating setups (SOTA/POTA).
  • A DXpedition gear showcase.
  • A vintage radio display for a trip down memory lane.
  • Learning zones covering antenna sharing, emergency comms, and more.
  • A chance to meet IRTS experts and get hands-on at “try-it-out” stations.

It also coincides with SSB Field Day, so you’ll see plenty of contest activity happening live from the site.

Stay & Socialise

Camping is free on-site (tents, camper vans, and caravans welcome), or you can grab a bed in Mullingar town, just 5 minutes away. There’ll be food, chats, and the usual Hamfest social vibe all weekend long.

Join Us

📅 Dates:

  • Saturday, September 6th (12 pm – 6 pm)
  • Sunday, September 7th (10 am – 4 pm)

📍 Location:
The Showgrounds, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
[Eircode: N91 HXH0]
Event Details on IRTS.ie

🎫 Admission:

  • Free for IRTS members
  • Small fee for the general public

We’re really looking forward to meeting fellow hams, makers, and curious minds at Mullingar. Come find us at Hamfest 2025 and get hands-on with radio, soldering, hacking, and more!

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🔌 Learn to Wire a Plug – New Workshop at Tog!

We’re excited to launch a new hands-on workshop at Tog Hackerspace where you’ll learn a practical and empowering skill—how to wire a plug and build your own extension lead. The session takes place on Thursday, September 25th, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at our space in Unit 1B Motor City, Kylemore Road, Dublin 12, D12 CF6V.

🛠️ What’s It All About?

Ever wanted to fix a broken plug, wire up your own extension lead, or just feel more confident around household electrics? This workshop is for you. We’ll guide you through the entire process of safely wiring a 13A plug and connecting it to a 4-gang extension lead. No prior experience needed.

Each participant will:

  • Wire up their own 3-core cable into a standard plug
  • Connect that cable to a 4-way socket block
  • Learn about fuses, cable strain relief, and wiring safety
  • Get their work PAT tested so it’s ready and safe to use at home
  • Take home a functional, tested extension lead they built themselves!

All tools and materials will be provided.

🧷 Note: This workshop involves the wiring of a portable extension lead by individuals for personal use. It does not fall under Restricted Electrical Works as defined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and Safe Electric. You can read more about Controlled and Restricted Works here: Safe Electric Guidance

💶 Booking Info

Tickets cost €25 and include all materials, tools, and a small donation to support Tog Hackerspace.
🔗 Book your ticket now on Eventbrite → https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/learn-to-wire-a-plug-tickets-1619013024539?aff=oddtdtcreator

Places are limited to keep things hands-on and safe, so grab your spot early!

🌍 Why This Matters

This workshop is part of European Sustainable Development Week 2025, an initiative that highlights practical actions contributing to a more sustainable world. We’re proud to align our event with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

  • SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: Encouraging repair and reuse over landfill.
  • SDG 4 – Quality Education: Providing lifelong learning opportunities through hands-on workshops.
  • SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Building community resilience through practical skills.
  • SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: Raising awareness of safe and responsible energy use at home.

Learning how to wire a plug might seem small, but it’s part of a bigger movement toward repair culture and sustainable living. Plus, it’s surprisingly satisfying!

This workshop is led by our own Jeffrey Roe, a long-time Tog member, maker, and electronics educator. Jeffrey has been teaching hands-on skills for over a decade through hackathons, Repair Cafés, and community events. You can follow his making adventures over on Mastodon

📍 Workshop Details Recap

🗓️ Date: Thursday, 25th September 2025
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Tog Hackerspace, Unit 1B Motor City, Kylemore Road, Dublin 12, D12 CF6V
💶 Cost: €25 (includes all materials + donation to Tog)
🎟️ Tickets: Eventbrite link (insert your link)
👥 *No experience necessary – beginners welcome!

We’re looking forward to seeing you there and sharing this very useful, very fix-it-yourself skill. If you have any questions, feel free to drop us a message.

Let’s keep things wired—and out of landfill!

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Tog at Dublin Maker 2025

Dublin Maker is back! 🎉 This year it’s taking place at Leopardstown Racecourse on Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st of August 2025, running from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Best of all – it’s completely free to attend.

Tog Hackerspace is delighted to be both a community sponsor of the festival and to have our own stand packed with projects from our members. We’ll be showcasing everything from interactive carnival-style games you can try out to amateur radio demos, and plenty more hands-on creations from our makers. It’s the perfect chance to see what our community has been up to and maybe even get inspired to make something yourself.

Repair Café at Dublin Maker

We’re also bringing a special edition of our Repair Café to Dublin Maker on Sunday, 31st of August, from 10:30 am to 1 pm in collaboration with Creatie Spark.

Do you have broken items at home – clothes, small appliances, toys, electronics?
No need to throw them away!

Bring them along and our team of skilled volunteers will help you fix them. We’ll have tools, materials, and plenty of expertise on hand. Together we can give your items a new lease of life, save you money, and keep waste out of landfill.

At our 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 others who are passionate about sustainability and the maker movement

If we can’t fix your item on the day, we’ll do our best to advise you on sourcing spare parts or the best recycling options.

What can you bring?

  • Clothes and accessories
  • Toys
  • Small electrical appliances and electronics (PAT testing available)
  • Small furniture
  • … and lots more!

Dublin Maker is always a highlight of the year – a huge celebration of creativity, invention, and making. We’re thrilled to be part of it again and can’t wait to meet you at our stand or at the Repair Café.

👉 Mark the dates in your calendar: Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st August, Leopardstown Racecourse.

See you there!