Category: Repair

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Tog at the EPA Circular Economy Conference 2025

We’re packing up our tools (and a few stories) for the EPA Circular Economy Conference 2025 on Wednesday, 24 September, in the Aviva Stadium.

You’ll find us in the exhibition area, flying the flag for Repair Cafés and the workshops we run at Tog. We’ll be chatting about how fixing the things you already own is good for your pocket, good for the planet, and good craic altogether.

And since we’re on the topic, we’ve got not one but two Repair Cafés coming up this October. Keep an eye on the details here: tog.ie/repair

So if you’re at the Aviva, swing by our stand for a natter. We’d love to see you there.

👉 More about the event: epacirculareconomyconf.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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🔌 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 Wednesday, 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: Wednesday, 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!

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Breathe New Life into Your Old Computer – Join the Dublin Linux Installfest at Tog!

Is your computer facing retirement just because Windows 10 is reaching its end of life?

On Saturday, 13th September 2025, from 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Tog Hackerspace is proud to host the Dublin Linux Group for a special event that’s all about giving old computers a new lease of life — with Linux!

Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 on 14th October 2025. If your device isn’t eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11, it means no more security updates or virus protection — and for many, that sounds like the end of the road. But don’t panic: there’s a better way.

Most computers from 2010 onwards are perfectly capable of running a modern Linux operating system. With a clean, secure, and supported version of Linux, you can keep using your computer for years to come — no need to buy a new one or send more electronics to landfill.

During this free event, friendly Linux users and volunteers will be on hand to:

  • Help you install Linux on your laptop or desktop
  • Show you how to use Linux day to day
  • Answer your questions and help you get comfortable with this powerful and user-friendly alternative

Whether you’re a total beginner or just curious about making the switch, this is a great chance to learn more, try things out, and meet like-minded folks.

Event Details:
📅 Saturday, 13th September 2025
🕚 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
📍 Tog Hackerspace, Unit 1B Motor City, Kylemore Road, D12 CF6V, Dublin

For more information, visit endofwin10.ie

We’re thrilled to be one of the venues worldwide helping people make the switch to free and open-source software. See you there — and bring a laptop if you want help installing Linux!