Wicklow Makers Campaign Launch

“Tuesday 28th March will be the official launch of the Wicklow Makers (TBD) campaign to set up a makerspace in County Wicklow.

A campaign to create a makerspace for Wicklow, where anyone with common interests, such as art, crafts, computers, diy, electronics, machining, robotics, science, technology and more; can meet, socialise and collaborate.

I’ve been following the makerspace/hackerspace scene for over a decade and I admire what TOG have done for the scene in Dublin but unfortunately visits to either of the closest spaces to me of TOG or SEMS would require a 4/5 hour round trip reliant on public transport. This might be fine for the occasional weekend but rules out regular trips and weekdays visits.

Having met many I know there is a diverse community of makers with a variety of interests based in County Wicklow. Rather than bemoan the lack of a space locally, I am now willing to devote the effort and time required and I hope others will join me in the endeavor and together we can starting planning and organising with the aim of setting up a makerspace in County Wicklow.

For those who cannot help out I would still like to invite you to join us on this journey to gauge the interest and gather feedback.
Throughout Spring 2023 I intend to start reaching out to fellow makers both personally and online via social media with the aim of getting this campaign rolling.

Then during the summer once we have some sort of committee of interested individuals we can starting planning the setting up of a makerspace.

I envision this will be a long journey but in the meantime please join and follow us on our various channels and share the projects you are working on. #wicklowmakers.

-Niall, Wicklow Makers (TBD)”

https://www.meetup.com/wicklow-makers/

TOG 14th Birthday Party

Every January we combine our regular Open Social and our Birthday Party to create one big monster bash. What a better way to beat the post Christmas blues. There are strong rumors of cake and other goodies. So get in on the 28th and wish us a Happy Birthday. Doors will be open from 7pm and we have lots of free parking available.

The party is free to attend for both members and visitors alike. You can drop in for 10 minutes, or stay the whole night. Bring beer, food, gadgets!

If you’ve never been to our Social, you’ll find it a great alternative Saturday evening in town. Come in and look around. If you’ve never been in before, we’ll give you the grand tour of the space. Talk to members and visitors about projects or things you’d like to do. If you like what you see, ask about joining as a full member.

Weather and volunteer permitting, we might have our wood fired pizza oven going outside. Expect caint, ceol agus craic as usual. The space stays open until the last member is left……usually the small hours of Sunday morning

South East Makerspace is looking for a new home

Our friends in South East Makerspace (SEMS) are looking for a new home. Details of the sort of building they are looking for are below.

The old space at Thomas Hill is no more. As a result, we are looking for alternative premises in Waterford City and the surrounding region.

So how might you help? Do you know of any properties that fit the
following criteria?
– a premises that might consider the “Vacant Premises Arts Scheme”
(rates waiver possible)
– running water
– toilet and sink
– mains power
– => 80sqm
– 2 rooms or 1 easily partitioned
– ventilated
– 24hr access

More info (flyer):
https://semkr.w3cdn.eu/sems_new_premises.png

You can reach us here:
info@southeastmakerspace.org
https://www.southeastmakerspace.org/contact

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

Maker Residency in Buinho

Our very own Jeffrey has headed off on a maker-in residency program to Buinho, a fablab in rural Portugal.

The residency is all about getting immersed in various activities related to social awareness and education, ending with repair café with Christmassy vibes. A cultural exchange with different age-groups, community-based educational activities, visit to local schools, and support of the local repair café. The week culminates with the first ever repair cafe held in Messejana at their annual Christmas festival.

Buinho is a Creative Hub and the first rural Fablab in Portugal. Since 2015, creatives, makers, educators, and researchers unite in Messejana to experiment, prototype and learn. The aim of the association is to be an inspiring place, which fosters creativity, collaboration and innovation at the intersection of arts, technology and society. They offer various educative programs, private accommodation, different studios, and a creative residency program open for artists and makers from all over the world.

This residency is part of an Erasmus+ project, entitled “WeRepair”, coordinated by Buinho Associação and whose partners are Fablab Cuenca (Spain) and Mountain Makers (France).