Category: Workshops/Events

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Radio & Retro Weekend at TOG: 24–25 October 2026

Join us at TOG Hackerspace for a weekend of amateur radio, hands-on workshops, old technology and a bit of messing.

On Saturday, we’ll be building satellite ground stations, trying packet radio, making callsign patches and putting soldering skills to the test. There will be live demonstrations and afternoon talks, followed by our October Open Social and pizza night.

Sunday starts with radio in the park, before we return to TOG for an afternoon of vintage radios, retro computers, consoles and restoration projects.

Radio amateurs, shortwave listeners, makers and curious newcomers are all welcome. You don’t need a radio licence to attend.

Book your place

There are three separate Eventbrite listings, so you can book the parts of the weekend you’d like to attend:

The Sunday morning Parks on the Air session is an open outdoor meetup and does not need an Eventbrite ticket.

Saturday 24 October: Radio Day

10:00–11:30 | Build Your Own Satellite Ground Station

Start the weekend with a hands-on introduction to TinyGS, a network of small ground stations receiving satellite signals using LoRa hardware.

Learn how these stations work and get started with building your own. This workshop has separate booking from the afternoon Radio Day.

Book the satellite ground station workshop

From 12:00 | Live radio demos and callsign patches

Drop in from noon to explore the equipment, meet the operators and try some making.

Pump-up mast with Ben Field, EI9IUB

Ben will demonstrate his trailer-mounted mast, built around an ex-MOD Sankey trailer and a Clark SCAM 12 mast. The setup normally carries a hexbeam antenna and rotator, with a dipole for the lower bands.

Come and see how it works and chat about setting up a portable radio station.

Packet radio with Victor, EI5IYB

Earlier this year, TOG joined the packet radio network. Vic will give practical demonstrations of connecting to and using it, and introduce the applications built on top of the network.

Discover how computers communicate over radio, with uses including messaging, group chat and news and weather services. Thanks to the Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) for supporting this part of the programme.

Make your own callsign patch with Tree

Tree will be on hand throughout the day to demonstrate TOG’s new industrial embroidery machine and help visitors make their own callsign patches.

Learn how the machine works and see your callsign turned into a patch. Thanks to the Irish Radio Transmitters Society for part-funding the consumables through its Promoting Amateur Radio Fund. Donations towards material costs are welcome.

13:00 and 14:00 | Advanced soldering workshops

Already know how to solder and want a new challenge? We have a range of kits for you to try, with instructors on hand to help you get started and work through the tricky bits.

These informal workshops start at 13:00 and 14:00. Kits cost €10–€20, depending on which you choose, and soldering irons are provided.

Afternoon | Radio talks

Three talks will bring us together for a closer look at different sides of radio in collaboration with Engineers Ireland Electronic and Computing Division . The programme includes

15:00 | Making Room for the Whimsical in Amateur Radio – Jeffrey Roe, EI7IRB

From Toilets on the Air to sending cat pictures with EI0MEOW, amateur radio has plenty of room for a bit of messing. Jeffrey explores playful projects, lightbulb antennas and Halloween Morse events, asking how we can encourage unusual ideas in our clubs.

A talk about curiosity, experimentation and enjoying radio simply because it makes us smile.

16:00 | Radiosondes: Radio and Weather Balloons – Met Éireann

An introduction to radiosondes, the instruments carried by weather balloons, and how radio is used to send atmospheric measurements back to the ground.

17:00 | Radio skills, skills for life – Vic, EI5IYB

Amateur Radio is a technical hobby but not only. It is a hobby of many hobbies, from mechanical engineering and communication skills to project management. In this talk, Vic will explore the skills that are gained in the ham radio hobby and how they transfer into your personal and professional life.

See the Saturday Eventbrite listing for the current talk timetable and full speaker line-up

From 18:00 | TOG Open Social & Pizza Night

Stay around after the talks for TOG’s October Open Social. We’ll fire up the pizza oven, meet members and visitors, show off projects and keep the radio, electronics and making chats going into the evening.

Book your free place for Saturday’s Radio Day, talks and social

Sunday 25 October: Radio in the Park & Retro Day

10:30–12:30 | Parks on the Air at Lansdowne Valley Park

We’ll start Sunday outdoors with a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation at Lansdowne Valley Park Recreation Park.

Come and see a portable amateur radio station in action. We’ll get on the air, including calling into the South Dublin Radio Club Sunday net and listening to and checking in after the IRTS Sunday News on 2 metres.

It’s a chance to see how a station can be taken out into a park and put on the air, or to join other operators for a morning of portable radio.

14:00–18:00 | Retro Radio & Computing Day

Sunday afternoon is for old radios, glowing screens and technology that still has plenty of stories to tell.

Our Retro Day returns with a special focus on vintage radio and communications equipment, alongside retro computers, consoles, games, test equipment and unusual electronics.

Members, radio clubs, collectors and visitors are invited to bring equipment to demonstrate and restoration projects to talk about. Working machines and projects still in progress are both welcome.

Have something to show? Email info@tog.ie with what you’d like to bring, how much table space you need and any power or display requirements.

Come along to exhibit, try some old technology or simply have a look and a chat. Please ask the owner before operating any equipment.

Book your free place for Retro Radio & Computing Day

Getting to TOG

All activities take place at TOG Hackerspace, Unit 1B Motor City, Kylemore Road, Dublin 12, D12 CF6V, apart from Sunday morning’s POTA session at Lansdowne Valley Park.

TOG is a short walk from the Kylemore stop on the Luas Red Line. See our location page for directions. For access questions or other event enquiries, email info@tog.ie.

Radio Day and Retro Day have free entry. Advanced soldering kits cost €10–€20, and donations towards callsign patch materials are welcome. Check the separate satellite workshop listing for its ticket details.

With thanks

The weekend is made possible with support from Dublin City Council.

Thanks also to the IRTS Promoting Amateur Radio Fund for part-funding callsign patch materials, and the Online Amateur Radio Community for supporting the packet radio activities.

Come for a workshop, bring an old radio, join us in the park or stay for the whole weekend. We look forward to seeing you.

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Seditious pockets (part 1) with our friends Lovelace Space

A hand holds open a pocket in the seam of a garment

In conjunction with our friends at Lovelace Space, we want to help you add pockets where you want and need them. Everyone loves a pocket, you can fill it with goodies or surprises, or maybe some pamphlets… but not all clothing comes with pockets off the rack. Or maybe it does come with pockets but you want MORE!

On October 14th, from 7pm to 9pm, we’re hosting a workshop on adding in-seam pockets and patch pockets to existing items of clothing. You do not need to have sewing experience to join, you just have to want more pockets. Hosts Tríona and Maria will help you add pockets using both handsewing and machine sewing techniques (and a little bit of ironing for some). Bring a laundered item of clothing and your imagination. We’ll provide materials and guidance. We will have some sewing machines in the space but you’re more than welcome to bring your own.

And, as it’s Climate Action Week, we are conscious that helping you repair clothes is good for the planet AND we’ll be making sure to reuse materials for your shiny new pockets by sourcing them from our friends at Change Clothes.

A pair of jeans with its pocket turned out to reveal colourful fabric. The pocket enlarges the original jeans pocket.
A pair of jeans with its pocket turned out to reveal colourful fabric. The pocket enlarges the original jeans pocket.

A patch pocket is a pocket that’s added to the surface. You can add it anywhere, and it can be (almost) any shape. First you make the edges of the pocket neat and then you’ll attach it.

A grey patch pocket attached to the inside of a grey coat. A battery pack and wire are poking out of the pocket.
A grey patch pocket attached to the inside of a grey coat. A battery pack and wire are poking out of the pocket.

An in-seam pocket goes in a seam (it’s in the name). You’ll cut your pocket pieces, gently rip open some of the seam, and then attach the pocket pieces and sew it up while reenforcing the seams near the pocket.

The class costs €5 and tickets can be found here.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/seditious-pockets-tickets-2002719183991?aff=oddtdtcreator

The cost will cover materials and a small donation towards Tog’s running costs. See you there!

Find out more about Lovelace Space at their website: lovelacespace.com

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Embroidery machine workshop – monograms

Three towels with the word Tog embroidered in various fonts

The first in a series of workshops with our new embroidery machine will be about learning the lettering tool in Ink/Stitch to make monograms.

A monogram is a short one to three letter embellishment. You’ll find them on towels, napkins, fancy dressing gowns and so on. They can be a person or company’s initials, though for Tog we figured we’d just put all three letters on.

At the workshop, you’ll learn how ink/stitch’s Lettering Tool works and create your own monogram. You’ll learn how to set up a basting box around a design in case it’s needed. Then you’ll learn how to hoop up items like towels and napkins, align your pattern, and then stitch out your monogram! All embroidery supplies will be provided along with a towel each.

A close up of the embroidery machine adding a pink letter T to a towel.

For the workshop, bring your laptop with inkscape already installed and think about which one to three letters you want to embroider. Towels will be provided, but if you want to bring additional items like a napkin or handkerchief, we can see if there’s time after the class to embroider those with your design.

A finished monogram in the hoop. IT's a grey towel with Tog in orange and yellow letters in a purple circle.

The class costs €15 for non-Tog members and €10 for members. Book your ticket here. Keep an eye on the events page or our meetup.com page to be notified of future workshops (there will be many!).

Sunday 27th September 1530-1730

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All Island Maker Mobility Heads to ShipItCon

The next stop for our All Island Maker Mobility: Connecting Communities Through Making project is ShipItCon in Dublin on 4 September 2026.

We’ll be there with our friends from Farset Labs, sharing a table and talking to the wider tech community about what happens inside community-run spaces like Tog and Farset.

The event comes just after our recent Farset Maker-in-Residence week at Tog, where our members had a chance to spend proper time together, work on projects, take part in Tog activities, and finish the week at Dublin Maker. ShipItCon gives us a chance to build on that momentum and keep those connections growing.

At our shared table, we’ll be showing some of what our communities get up to and talking about the All Island Maker Mobility project. If you’ve ever wondered what happens in a hackerspace or makerspace, come over and say hello.

You can find out more about the event at shipitcon.com.

All Island Maker Mobility is a collaboration between Tog Hackerspace in Dublin and Farset Labs in Belfast, supported by the Shared Island Civic Society Fund through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

We’re very grateful for that support, which is helping our two communities build stronger North-South links through making, learning and shared projects.

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VR Airsoft Controllers – Talk, Demo and Hands-On Session at TOG

On Saturday, 29 August, TOG Hackerspace will host an afternoon exploring custom-built VR Airsoft controllers.

The project comes from the creator behind the VR-Firearms YouTube channel, who has been developing physical airsoft-style controllers for use in virtual reality.

During the afternoon, there will be a short talk about how the project was developed, a demonstration of the controllers in action, and an opportunity for attendees to try them out for themselves.

Building Custom Hardware for VR

Most consumer VR systems rely on the controllers supplied with the headset, but there is plenty of scope for experimentation when you start designing hardware for a particular experience.

The VR-Firearms project explores how physical airsoft-style controllers can be integrated into virtual reality, combining VR hardware development, controller design and custom physical interfaces.

We’ll get a look at how the controllers work, some of the development challenges involved and how the physical hardware is integrated into the VR environment.

Following the talk and demonstration, attendees will have an opportunity to try the setup and see how the controllers feel in use.

There will also be plenty of time for questions and discussion about the project.

If you’re interested in virtual reality, electronics, hardware hacking, controller design, game development or unusual human-computer interfaces, come along and take a look.

You can see more of the project on the VR-Firearms YouTube channel.

Event Details

VR Airsoft Controllers – Talk, Demo and Hands-On Session

📅 Saturday, 29 August 2026
🕒 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm
📍 TOG Hackerspace

The afternoon will include:

  • A short talk on the development of the VR Airsoft controller project
  • A look at the custom hardware and controller design
  • A live VR demonstration
  • An opportunity to try the controllers
  • Questions and discussion

Places will be limited to approximately 20 people.

Tickets are free, with an optional donation to support TOG Hackerspace.

🎟️ Book your place:

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/vr-airsoft-controllers-talk-demo-and-hands-on-session-at-tog-tickets-1997956368281?aff=oddtdtcreator

Whether you already work with VR or are simply curious about what happens when you start building your own physical interfaces for virtual worlds, come along and give it a try.

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Forging History – Metalworking and the 1798 & 1803 Uprisings

On Saturday, 15 August, TOG Hackerspace will be turning up the heat for a very different kind of heritage event.

As part of National Heritage Week 2026, we will be joined by heritage blacksmith Fínín Líam Christie for a day-long workshop exploring traditional blacksmithing and the metalworking skills associated with the United Irishmen, the 1798 Rebellion and Robert Emmet’s 1803 Rising.

The event will run from 9am to 5pm and is completely free, with places available both for people who want to take part directly and for those who would prefer to watch the demonstrations.

Blacksmithing, history and making

While Robert Emmet and the United Irishmen are familiar names from Irish history, less attention is usually given to the practical skills, engineering and craft knowledge behind the preparations for the uprisings.

During the day, Fínín will demonstrate traditional forge work, including setting and maintaining the fire, controlling heat with bellows, shaping hot metal, joining and finishing components, tempering and cooling, and preparing forged pieces for mounting.

The workshop will look at how these techniques were used for everyday ironwork and tools, while exploring how similar skills were applied to objects associated with the uprisings, including pike heads and the metalworking involved in Robert Emmet’s experimental rockets.

This is a heritage and skills demonstration rather than an attempt to recreate functional historical weapons. The aim is to explore the materials, techniques and practical knowledge behind this fascinating part of Irish history.

Have a go yourself

There will be 10 Hands-on Metalworking tickets available for people who would like to take part in selected stages of the forging process.

These sessions will take place under close supervision, with appropriate safety measures in place. No previous blacksmithing experience is needed.

There will also be 30 General Admission tickets for people who would like to watch the demonstrations, ask questions and follow the work as it develops throughout the day.

The example pike head made by Fínín gives a good idea of the traditional metalworking techniques that will be explored during the workshop.

About Fínín Líam Christie

Fínín is an experienced blacksmith and heritage craft practitioner and a member of the Irish Artist Blacksmiths Association.

He trained at Lucan Technical School and volunteered at the Ulster Folk Museum before establishing his own forge in Coolgreany, County Wexford. His work includes architectural ironwork, tool-making, training and heritage blacksmithing experiences, making him ideally placed to bring the practical side of this history to life.

And afterwards…

The day does not end when the forge goes quiet.

That evening we will be holding our TOG Open Social Night, when the pieces made during the workshop will remain on display. Visitors will be able to see what was produced, chat with participants and organisers, and explore some of the other craft and technology projects being worked on by TOG members.

And, as with any good TOG social night, there will also be fresh pizza cooked on site.

Event details

Workshop on Metalworking of the 1798 and 1803 Uprisings

Saturday, 15 August 2026
9am – 5pm
TOG Hackerspace

General Admission: Free – 30 places
Hands-on Metalworking: Free – 10 places

Advance booking is required.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/forging-history-metalworking-and-the-1798-1803-uprisings-tickets-1994131024575?aff=oddtdtcreator

The workshop will also be professionally filmed, with an edited and captioned video published afterwards. The resulting material will form part of an online heritage resource and will help us continue sharing the project beyond the live event.

This project is funded by The Heritage Council and takes place as part of National Heritage Week 2026.