Backcountry

For February, the TOG Science Fiction Book Club is reading ***The Left Hand of Darkness* by Ursula K. Le Guin**. First published in 1969, this Hugo and Nebula Award–winning novel remains one of the most important works in science fiction. Set on the icy planet of Gethen, it follows an envoy sent to persuade its inhabitants to join a galactic coalition. But the real story isn’t about technology — it’s about culture, politics, trust, and identity. On Gethen, gender works very differently from what we’re used to. Le Guin uses this unfamiliar world to explore themes of communication, loyalty, isolation, and what it really means to understand another society. It’s thoughtful, beautifully written, and guaranteed to give us plenty to talk about. **Tuesday, 24th February 2026** **7:30 pm** **TOG Hackerspace, Dublin 12** As always, you don’t need to finish the book to join in. New readers are very welcome — just bring curiosity (and maybe a warm coat, Gethen is cold).

A lovely session of music and song in a relaxed and supportive environment. All levels of musician and singer welcome. You can come and sing or play one song or just come and listen to the other members. Great way to build up your playing skills and build up your confidence. We don't pay the bar for this session, so make sure you buy at least one drink. Charge €2.

Do you like to try an indoor pool scuba dive with scuba dive equipment? If you are interested in going for this Pool scuba try diveclass, please RSVP early as there will be other people going beside this meetup. If anyone cannot make it on this day and wants a different date, RSVP and you can change your date to another date. I will send you the information details to book your pool dive a week that suites you. https://www.padi.com/ https://youtu.be/kvmgy4XsqrU This event is (PADI) scuba dive for First Timers who are interested in trying Scuba Diving. This will be a scuba dive in a large swimming pool 5m deep at one end. Cost is about 55 euros. Scuba dive equipment will be included and supplied. You will be shown how to use scuba diving equipment by a dive instructor. If you do well in the pool, you can go to the next step and take up an open water PADI dive course qualification. With this qualification it will allow you to do open water scuba diving world wide. Dublin open water boat dives and weekend Atlantic sea boat dives trips and or Fjord boat scuba dives trips will be also avaliable to you around Ireland and World Wide once you are a PADI Open Water qualified scuba diver. People use Sea swimming for its healing properties,it washes viruses, bacteria and cleanse your skin amongst other things due to the sea salt content. Since the pandemic there has been a large increase in people going swimming. Scuba diving also refreshes your mind like hiking to start a new fresh day and a new work week. Anyone interested, please RSVP and I will send you the booking information. As usual this is a sporting event, so when you RSVP and attend this meetup, every person is responsible for their on health and saftey and accept full responsibilty.

Join our free weekly 15-minute sound meditation on Zoom designed for stress relief, relaxation, and mental clarity. Experience calming sound healing tones in a short, accessible online meditation session. Perfect for beginners and experienced meditators alike. Headphones recommended Good morning beautiful souls. This is the link to this evening zoom free 15 min sound meditation at 7pm Looking forward share this moment of stillness with you Click https://us05web.zoom.us/j/84170666909?pwd=mx37bwsXqFbuU4hb7GLphJAvlIYz3F.1 to start or join a scheduled Zoom Meeting

Hello Everyone, For this meetup, we'll have a collaboration with the Dublin Pyladies meetup. Same time, same venue. Here is the [official link](https://www.meetup.com/pyladiesdublin/events/312867801/?notificationId=%3Cinbox%3E%21452051133-1769535510412). The great folks at Anseo are graciously letting us use their upstairs room again. You are all very welcome ! See you then.

February CHAI meetup. [Petr Homola](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAIueyoBx8DWndiCJ61mJf7coQSQ_esAtH4) will talk on developing AI applications on the iPhone. and [James Ahearne](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesahearne/) on Vibe-coding a web app from $0 to $597 MRR in 30 days. Come along for 2 talks on developing AI based products and also for chats in the pub afterward. Sponsored by [Stack and Co recruiters](https://stackand.co/)

**PLEASE NOTE NEW START TIME 7 PM** Beauty is hard to deny while watching olympic skaters twirling acrobatically on the ice. Or meeting a newborn for the first time, or appreciating some stunning aspect of nature. But what about those experiences makes them beautiful? And what makes certain scenes, actions or events ugly? And why don't we all agree what's beautiful or ugly? Join us at Walters Cafe in Dun Laoghaire this Tuesday and bring your views with you; buy and drink at the bar and engage meaningfully with others in a civil discourse on beauty and ugliness.

***Mountain Skills for Only €120 / course*** Ever wanted to learn the skills you need to become a competent navigator in the Irish mountains, the UK, the Alps or beyond! As a fully qualified mountain guide and course provider for Mountaineering Ireland and the UK, I run Mountain Skills which is a nationally accredited course and is delivered in an upland environment. Hiking in Ireland can be challenging not only because of its wilderness, but the island has very little sign posted hiking trails in the mountains or hills. In addition to this, as being an island in the Atlantic we experience the forces of nature; storms and weather events. In other words, Ireland is probably the best place in Europe to learn a new outdoor skill like Mountain Skills. The aim of this course is to help you learn the skills you need to get out hiking in the hills and mountains independently, safely and responsibly. You will learn how to navigate with confidence by any type of weather conditions. A Mountain Skills course is run over 2 days in an upland environment and covers: Map reading, map description, map scale, contour lines, land and ground features, navigation legs, simple navigation techniques, setting the map, the 5 D, estimation of direction & destination, grid reference, mountain hazards, hypothermia, mountain environment, timing, pacing, route planning, route card, emergency procedures, personal equipment, safe movement skills, river crossing and much more… Some level of fitness is essential in taking part in this course. Each course (MS1 / MS2) is a 20 hour syllabus which includes indoor and outdoor sessions and night navigation (MS2) **A course includes:** Maps and compass provided, tea breaks, course notes, 3 route cards, a free hiking day practice as part of a weekend. **For Only €100 for under 18 and students and €120 for adults.** Accommodations can be provided Her are few additionnal dates: Jan 24-25 MS2 Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow Feb 11-12 MS1 Comeragh, Co.Waterford March 21-22 Glenmalure, Co. Wicklow March 28-29 Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow April MS1 18-19 Glenmalure, Co,Wickow For more information contact us at: [aeaccom@gmail.com](mailto:aeaccom@gmail.com) / +35387 9691193 Or go to: [www.mountainadventures74.com](http://www.mountainadventures74.com)

***Mountain Skills for Only €120 / course*** Ever wanted to learn the skills you need to become a competent navigator in the Irish mountains, the UK, the Alps or beyond! As a fully qualified mountain guide and course provider for Mountaineering Ireland and the UK, I run Mountain Skills which is a nationally accredited course and is delivered in an upland environment. Hiking in Ireland can be challenging not only because of its wilderness, but the island has very little sign posted hiking trails in the mountains or hills. In addition to this, as being an island in the Atlantic we experience the forces of nature; storms and weather events. In other words, Ireland is probably the best place in Europe to learn a new outdoor skill like Mountain Skills. The aim of this course is to help you learn the skills you need to get out hiking in the hills and mountains independently, safely and responsibly. You will learn how to navigate with confidence by any type of weather conditions. A Mountain Skills course is run over 2 days in an upland environment and covers: Map reading, map description, map scale, contour lines, land and ground features, navigation legs, simple navigation techniques, setting the map, the 5 D, estimation of direction & destination, grid reference, mountain hazards, hypothermia, mountain environment, timing, pacing, route planning, route card, emergency procedures, personal equipment, safe movement skills, river crossing and much more… Some level of fitness is essential in taking part in this course. Each course (MS1 / MS2) is a 20 hour syllabus which includes indoor and outdoor sessions and night navigation (MS2) **A course includes:** Maps and compass provided, tea breaks, course notes, 3 route cards, a free hiking day practice as part of a weekend. **For Only €100 for under 18 and students and €120 for adults.** Accommodations can be provided Feb 21-22 MS1 Comeragh, Co.Waterford Feb 26/March 01 - MS2 in Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow March 21-22 MS1 Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow March 28-29 MS2 Glenmalure, Co.Wicklow April 09-10 MS1 Glenmalure, Co. Wicklow For more information contact us at: [aeaccom@gmail.com](mailto:aeaccom@gmail.com) / +35387 9691193 Or go to: [www.mountainadventures74.com](http://www.mountainadventures74.com)

Are you Solo!! Would you like to meet and chat with other singles? We are having Social Singles chats. Chat with other singles and Make new friends. Meeting other singles face to face is a fast way to see and get to know other singles without apps. We are meeting for social drinks including soft drinks at Bruxelles Pub. We will go to another late bar afterwards. So Dress Nice & neat please. Leave your surfing cloths and surfboards at home please. [https://youtu.be/wD0Mm6WIcYs?feature=shared](https://youtu.be/wD0Mm6WIcYs?feature=shared) [https://youtu.be/jzy2dgEUOhY?si=e3mDbky36kyStLsV](https://youtu.be/jzy2dgEUOhY?si=e3mDbky36kyStLsV) Many new people come solo to socialize and make new friends, so do not worry if you are solo, you are welcome to join us. I will introduce you to others in the group,so you are no longer solo. Welcome to ask me questions about hiking gear and scuba diving.

Adult Bachata and Salsa dance classes with practice social at Coolock Ardlea Scout Den Coolock Village. This is a mirror studio located upstairs from the hall with nice wooden floors. This is a weekly Thursday event. Come down, learn and have fun! Men and Women are welcome. Free taster for first timers and discount for students, request via dm. Beginners cost 10 euro for all beginner classes and practice.

Why Not Come with a story , a poem , a wedding speech , anything that worth sharing to a gang of 10 people ? Ping me on Meetup or email sculljam @ hotmail . com . I can reveal when we meet up exactly. (not at midnight ;-) ) There is a door charge to cover the cost of the room for 2 hours. **Your Voice Found** Does appreciate the helpful staff at Carmelite centre but we are not aligned with them. This is an independent venture. **Your Voice Found** has been running for nearly a year so we are still in the early stages. Remember, there is **no commit** (not like other clubs - they wont let you "try before you buy " ) and its cheap to attend and Carmelite Centre probably have the cheapest coffee / tea in Dublin ! We meet once a month. Same convenient Dublin City Centre location. Same time. Different Dates every Month. What is there not to enjoy ? so come along and share stories , impress your boss at the next meeting or engage the family with that wedding speech you keep worrying about. We have helped loads of like minded people . I hope you are the next ! All ages. All abilities. Just ask for James.

Nite time trail run on forest track 10 km loop (2) non stop. decent ascent. Park OUTSIDE Carpark as it automatically locks. Water, head torch, trail runners. No leaders. All donations (even if not running this time) 5e or less will go directly via me to NMS Society. Just rev me @marky1 ..

Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.

We may pick a specific topic and post in advance or may discuss current events and various ad hoc topics . We would love to spend time hanging out and getting to know one another. Atheist, agnostics, other non-theists, and atheist-friendly people are welcome to join us. Note: COUNT operates a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions (http://www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions/) to promote discussions among members and visitors.

Come assist Van Buren Shelter (https://ymcacolumbus.org/locations/vanburen) staff in serving dinners and cleaning up on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Dinner for the women is 5-6 pm and for the families is 6:15-7:15 pm. There is ample free parking available in the shelter's lot. The recommended area to park is in green in the image above. There will be a new entrance for the time being. We are asking all volunteers to enter through the Donation Dock door, the orange mark on the image above. This door is located between the Single Adults and Family Shelter. You will see 2 large garage doors with a large green trash compactor in the center. Please head to the closest garage door to the building wall, with a ramp leading up. There, you will see a door with a sign stating instructions on how to enter the building. Please ring the doorbell, and a staff member will come and escort you into the building. If a staff member takes longer than 5 minutes, please call the front desk at 614-689-2020. This is a new process for us, and we do not want to keep you waiting! We appreciate your patience as we navigate this temporary change. The shelter needs a volunteer count the day before the event so sign-up ends Monday at 4:50 PM. Afterwards some of us go to the Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup in progress to have a bit to eat or drink (http://www.meetup.com/omnipresentatheists/). Volunteers must be 14 or older. Since we will be working around families, the YMCA does not permit volunteering by individuals with convictions for violent or sexual crimes. The YMCA reserves the right to run background checks on volunteers. For questions, comment on this page or contact: Andrew, awhit12@yahoo.com, (614)937-5802 (cell). Please let Andrew know if you volunteer anytime other than our COUNT events so that he can count your hours toward our service record.