Design Fiction

**Join us for an evening of philosophical sparring as we dive into Plato’s Alcibiades I. Whether you’re a seasoned Stoic or just curious about why Socrates was so obsessed with "knowing thyself," this session is for you.** **What’s on the Agenda?** **The dialogue features a high-stakes conversation between a young, ambitious, and slightly arrogant Alcibiades—who is about to enter politics—and his persistent mentor, Socrates.**

🔐 **Hack and Chill – Weekly Meetup** 🔐 📍 **Tog Hackerspace** \| 🕖 **Fridays, 7–9 PM** *(Except the first Friday of the month – we’re at 2600 Dublin then!)* Are you into cybersecurity, hardware hacking, or just love the hacker mindset? Bring your laptop, your curiosity, and your latest digital mischief to our chill Friday night sessions. No talks, no pressure — just hacking, learning, and chatting with like-minded folks in a relaxed space. 💻 BYO projects, hacks, and war stories ☕ Tea, tools, and toggers provided 💬 New faces always welcome Come hang out. We don’t bite — unless you’re a vulnerable service. https://www.tog.ie/2025/08/new-weekly-group-night-hack-and-chill/

Paint A Neon Canvas. Music. UV Lights. Prizes. No Experience Needed To Take Part. Paint A Canvas Using Fluorescent Paint With Music And Prizes. **[TICKET LINK](https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/neon-painting-magic-mushrooms-tickets-1983546358554?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1*1pymm5z*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTI0MDk5OTUzMi4xNzc1NjQ2ODk5*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NzU2NDY4OTgkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzU2NDY4OTgkajYwJGwwJGgw)** Our team will take each person step by step into creating a masterpiece with no experience necessary. Create a painting under UV Lights and do something very different. **WHAT TO EXPECT?** * Artist (to help you paint) * Themed Painting * Prizes * Music * UV Lights **DO YOU DO PRIVATE EVENTS?** Yes, we host private events, brand events, hen parties, and work parties. Contact us at bookings@alternativeexperiences.ie **WHERE IS THE VENUE LOCATED?** The new space is located in Pawn Shop on Dame Street. **IS THERE ALCOHOL?** Yes, the bar has alcohol for sale. There is no BYOB option. **IS IT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?** Unfortunately not, this venue is not wheelchair accessible. However, we do events in other venues which are. **DO YOU DO KIDS' EVENTS?** Nope, all events are 18+. We are very strict on ID. **HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT EVENTS?** Sign up for our weekly newsletter [here](https://www.alternativedublincity.com/newsletter-signup/ "https://www.alternativedublincity.com/newsletter-signup/") **LOCATION:** Pawn Shop, 15 Dame St, Dublin 2, D02 KD74

## LIFE DRAWING An untaught life drawing class in the flesh with a model at 27 Pearse Street Dublin 2 (The Ireland Institute) every Friday evening 6.30-9-00PM Room will be open from about 6.20PM €26 (Buy Four Classes for €84-save €20) We draw from about 6.45-9-00PM with a break half way through. BOOK HERE: https://dublin-drawing.sumupstore.com/product/next-available-untaught-class **If you've prepaid for some classes send a quick email to dublindrawing@gmail.com** Materials: We have drawing boards and clips and some charcoal and paper. If you have your own materials bring them- they will be better quality. Places are limited so book as soon as you can. TLDR: Friday Evening LIFE DRAWING UNTAUGHT **6.30-9.00PM** Room open from about 6.20PM **27 Pearse Street Dublin 2** (The Ireland Institute) BOOK HERE: https://dublin-drawing.sumupstore.com/product/next-available-untaught-class

Experience Dublin's mysterious legends and myths on this 90-minute walking tour. ### **Legends, Ghosts, and Ghouls!** **[TICKET LINK](https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/legends-ghosts-and-ghouls-of-dublin-walking-tour-tickets-574666080717?aff=oddtdtcreator)** Ireland has a unique relationship with its legendary past. Kept alive in the histories of the Filí and the Seanchaidhe, Ireland’s gods were not destroyed but - in the words of Mark Williams - demoted to lesser beings. This is an important element of Ireland’s oral histories, which in turn have coloured its popular histories and left many legends for us to parse over today. On the other side of Irish history, we have the ballrooms, the salons, and the private studies of Dublin’s litterati. The seances and unwrapping parties, the mysteries and the macabre, all combined into the secret esoteric orders that strove to unlock the secrets of existence. Come explore with us where these two elements fuse to create the wonderful world of Legends, Ghosts, and Ghouls that are just as much a part of Dublin’s history as any of its citizens and buildings… Our tour has over 100 excellent reviews online and is ranked in the top tours on TripAdvisor. **TOPICS** * Maud Gonne & WB Yeats * The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn * Huguenot Cemetery * The Ghost of the Shelbourne * St. Stephen’s Green’s Grizzly History * Bram Stoker * Graverobbers * Darkey Kelly * Dublin’s House of Horrors * Tenements * Justice in Dublin **PRIVATE TOURS** We are also now doing private tours for groups. If you want to host your own tour, get in touch with us. We can do tours for friend groups, work parties, educational tours or community tours.👬🧑‍🤝‍🧑 **WHAT ELSE DO WE DO?** We host art nights, pottery, walking tours, workshops, rug tufting and lots of wacky events. Join us for Drink & Draw Ireland's art party or one of our many experiences.🎨 **SUPPORT LOCAL** After each tour, we will send you a link to each artist featured and also bring you to a gallery where you can support artists by buying prints, paintings or commission them for work! ***FAQ?*** **What happens if I'm late?** We encourage anyone late to still join the tour. After you get a ticket, you will get an email that will have instructions.📩 **What happens if it rains?** All tours proceed even if it's raining, please bring an umbrella or rain jacket just in case.☔ **Is this wheelchair accessible?** Unfortunately, parts of the tour are not accessible; the first location is accessible to everyone. **Where does the tour start and end?** The tour starts at WB Yeats' house and ends at Dublin Castle. **I can't attend? Can I get a refund?** We need 5 days' notice to issue a refund, so if you don't think you can attend, please let us know as soon as possible. We are a small independent business and rely on small groups to make these tours possible. **Can I swap my ticket?** Again, as a small business, our guides rely on these tours to support their livelihood. We cannot swap tickets unless you give us 5 days' notice. You can transfer your ticket to another person to attend in your place. **Should I Tip?** If you enjoy it, you can tip your guide if you want! Our guides keep all tips from tours, so it gives artists and creatives a chance to do something they love.

📚Reading books and discussing them are two distinct experiences! Conversations about books and sharing insights help us better appreciate literature and enrich our lives. Let's grab a drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and discuss books we're currently reading or have recently enjoyed—whether poetry, fiction, or non-fiction. Bring your physical book or e-reader. There's no formal structure or agenda—just books and good conversation.💬 It's a perfect place to get book recommendations and rediscover your reading momentum if you've hit a slump. We welcome readers of all backgrounds and interests! ⚠️**Something Happened?** If something unpleasant happened to you, it may happen to others. Even if it seems minor, don't hesitate to reach out to me. 🔍 **How to find us?** * When I reach the venue, I'll leave a comment in the meetup where the group is seated. Normally, the booking is in my name, so you can ask the staff for the group. * If you're unable to find us, leave a comment in the meetup page. I'll be able to guide you. We highly encourage you to move between tables and strike up conversations with fellow book lovers. These discussions about literature and reading recommendations are often the highlight of the event! As an organizer, I'm always looking for feedback about the event and suggestions for new events, so feel free to suggest ideas to me. 💡 I look forward to seeing you all! 😊

join us for this amazing FREE tour at 12 noon of The Oratory in Dún Laoghaire a hidden gem of Celtic revival art. This tiny building is home to some of the most spectacular artwork from the first half of 20th Century Ireland, all produced by Sister Concepta Lynch. PLEASE READ POST CAREFULLY.... Booking asap is essential... [https://webcloudone.com/dlrheritage/events/the-oratory](https://webcloudone.com/dlrheritage/events/the-oratory) Meet in Starbucks cafe Bloomfield Shopping Center at 11am.

Hi guys, This Sunday we'll head to The Lighthouse cinema in Smithfield to see California Schemin' at 12:15. We'll meet at the cafe there from 11:15. Make sure to book your tickets in advance! See you there # **California Schemin’** 101 mins [trailer ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUTSyu4Ovcc) \*\*Director:\*\*James McAvoy \*\*Starring:\*\*Lucy Halliday, Samuel Bottomley, James McAvoy, Séamus McLean Ross, Amber Anderson, Sonny Poon Tip, Rebekah Murrell, Jennifer Winn, David Witts In the late '90s, Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd had their musical ambitions consistently ridiculed for having the 'wrong' accents, so they went for broke and reinvented themselves as Californian rappers. The duo re-recorded their own tracks with fake accents and turned up in London claiming to be an established duo on the Cali scene as well as childhood friends with Eminem. They quickly bagged themselves a record deal, a hefty sum in advances, and an appearance on MTV... until it all came crashing down.

**💕 Zoom Speed Dating – Designed for First Timers – Meet Real Fingal Singles!** **⚠️ RSVP ≠ Registration!** Your Meetup RSVP alone does **not** secure a spot. You must click your age group link below, complete registration, and finish the personality quiz. **Spots are limited** and fill fast! **🔗 Click Your Age Group to Register & Complete the Quiz:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=404.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Fingal&groupurlname=crimson-abyss-alone-ridge&ar=18-32&face_v=4.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=404.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Fingal&groupurlname=crimson-abyss-alone-ridge&ar=30-46&face_v=4.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=404.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Fingal&groupurlname=crimson-abyss-alone-ridge&ar=40-58&face_v=4.0) - **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=404.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Fingal&groupurlname=crimson-abyss-alone-ridge&ar=55+&face_v=4.0) --- 🌟 **Want to meet real singles without the bar scene?** Welcome! No experience needed. No dating profile required. Just real people having real conversations. Our online format makes it easy for first-timers to connect with Fingal singles in a pressure-free setting. 🎯 **Perfect for:** - Singles looking for genuine connections beyond dating apps - Anyone who's tired of swiping and wants real conversation - Singles who feel more comfortable meeting from home first - Anyone who believes great chemistry starts with great conversation - Shy or reserved singles who open up better in private chats **Event Details** - **Format:** Interactive Zoom event – feel like you're in the same room - **Location:** Anywhere with Wi-Fi – your couch, your café, your call - **Host:** Experienced facilitator who guides first-time speed daters with care - **Vibe:** A cozy, supportive atmosphere where Fingal singles open up naturally **How It Works** 1. **Choose Your Age Group** – Find your age range above and click to register. 2. **Answer a Few Fun Questions** – Our quiz helps match you with compatible Fingal singles. 3. **Show Up on Zoom** – Grab a drink, get comfortable, and let the host guide you through each round. 4. **Date from Home** – Have real, meaningful mini-dates with Fingal singles – all from your couch. 5. **Discover Your Matches** – We'll notify you of any mutual interest after the event. The rest is up to you! 💡 **Pro tip:** Have a drink ready and find a quiet, well-lit spot for the best experience. ⭐ *"The online format was perfect for me. I felt comfortable and had a blast!"* – Fingal single --- ✨ One event, multiple conversations, endless possibilities. Register now and see what happens! 💝 ✨

Got something broken at home that you have been meaning to sort out for a while? Bring it along to our next Repair Café at TOG Hackerspace on **Saturday 11 April 2026**, from **12 noon to 4pm**. The event takes place at **TOG Hackerspace, Unit 1B Motor City, Kylemore Road, Dublin 12**, and tickets are free. A Repair Café is a chance to bring along broken or worn items and sit down with volunteer fixers to see what can be done. It is not a drop-off service. You stay with your item, chat through the issue, and get to see what is involved in trying to bring it back to life. Sometimes the repair is quick, sometimes it takes a bit of testing and head-scratching, and sometimes the item has other ideas, but you will usually come away knowing a bit more than when you arrived. You can bring things like: * Clothes and accessories * Toys * Small electrical appliances and electronics * Small furniture There is always a good mix on the day, and while we cannot promise miracles, we do enjoy a challenge. Repairing things keeps useful items in use for longer, saves money, reduces waste, and helps people build practical skills. It is also a nice social afternoon: cups of tea, odd screws on tables, and the occasional cheer when something suddenly starts working again. This event is supported by **Dublin Maker**. Please book your free ticket in advance here: [https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/repair-cafe-tickets-1980452469649](https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/repair-cafe-tickets-1980452469649) If you would like to be a fixer or volunteer at a future Repair Café, we would love to hear from you too.

**💗 Speed Dating from Home – A Warm, Welcoming Experience for First Timers!** **⚠️ IMPORTANT: Your RSVP Does NOT Guarantee a Spot!** To secure your place, you **must** register and complete the personality quiz by clicking one of the age group links below. Select your age range, click to register, and complete the quiz. **Spots are limited** – don't wait! **🎯 Select Your Age Group & Register Now:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=404.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=D%C3%BAn%20Laoghaire&groupurlname=crimson-abyss-alone-ridge&ar=18-32&face_v=4.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=404.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=D%C3%BAn%20Laoghaire&groupurlname=crimson-abyss-alone-ridge&ar=30-46&face_v=4.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=404.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=D%C3%BAn%20Laoghaire&groupurlname=crimson-abyss-alone-ridge&ar=40-58&face_v=4.0) - **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=404.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=D%C3%BAn%20Laoghaire&groupurlname=crimson-abyss-alone-ridge&ar=55+&face_v=4.0) --- 👋 **First time speed dating?** You'll wonder why you didn't try sooner! Our online speed dating events are specifically designed with first-timers in mind. Every conversation is guided, every interaction is comfortable, and you never have to leave your home. 🎯 **Perfect for:** - Shy or reserved singles who open up better in private chats - Anyone who believes great chemistry starts with great conversation - Introverts who shine in one-on-one conversations **Event Details** - **Format:** Virtual via Zoom – structured rounds in a warm, friendly setting - **Location:** From the comfort of your own home – no need to go anywhere! - **Host:** Experienced facilitator who guides first-time speed daters with care - **Vibe:** Low-pressure connections with welcoming Dún Laoghaire singles – fun and easy - **Matching:** Powered by our personality quiz for better compatibility - **Follow-up:** Post-event match results delivered to your inbox - **Matches:** Mutual matches revealed after the event **How It Works** 1. **Register for Your Age Group** – Choose the session that matches your age range above and complete registration. 2. **Finish the Short Personality Assessment** – This helps us optimise your matches for the evening. 3. **Show Up on Zoom** – Grab a drink, get comfortable, and let the host guide you through each round. 4. **The Fun Part** – Rotate through rounds of lively chats with pre-matched Dún Laoghaire singles. 5. **Your Results** – Check your matches and take the next step with someone special. **Frequently Asked Questions** **How long are the conversations?** Each round is a few minutes – long enough to feel a connection, short enough to keep things exciting! **Do I need to download anything?** Just Zoom! If you've used Zoom before, you're all set. We'll send you the link after registration. **What if I'm shy or introverted?** You're in the right place! The online format and guided conversations make it easy and comfortable for everyone. **What if my internet drops?** No worries – our host will help you reconnect. Technical hiccups happen and we're prepared for them! --- ✨ Thousands of first-timers have found their match with us. You could be next! 💓 ✨

Join the group for coffee, a chat and bring your project upstairs in Starbucks on Westmoreland Street from 12-2.30pm (or sometimes longer!). There is a lift for those with mobility issues but please check with staff if it's working. There's no charge for the meetup but we ask please that you join our Whatsapp group if you plan on staying with the group. Cost is only €5 a year to pay for Meetup subs etc.

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/55umjqta)

**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .

**TBA**

Colombus Code & Coffee is thrilled to partner with Central Ohio Azure to put on the global Azure community day! RSVP here: https://www.meetup.com/central-ohio-azure/events/313484939/ View the session lineup and speakers at [Global Azure Columbus 2026](https://coazure.github.io/cbus-global-azure-2026/) On **Saturday, April 18, 2026**, the Azure Columbus Meetup, DevOps Meetup, and Code and Coffee Meetup are hosting our local edition of Global Azure 2026. This is a free, community-driven event packed with learning, networking, and all things Microsoft Azure. Whether you’re building modern cloud-native apps, experimenting with AI agents, deploying containers, automating infrastructure, or just beginning your Azure journey, this event is for you! **What to Expect** * Engaging technical sessions * Real-world Azure architecture & cloud-native patterns * AI, agents, automation, and modern DevOps * Food and drinks (because learning burns calories) * Time to connect with fellow engineers, architects, and cloud enthusiasts **Who Should Attend?** * Software engineers (any language, any stack) * Cloud architects * DevOps engineers * Data professionals * AI explorers * Platform builders * Anyone who loves solving hard problems with great tools If you build, deploy, automate, scale, monitor, or optimize in Azure, you’ll feel right at home. **Why Global Azure?** Global Azure is a worldwide community event where Azure user groups host learning sessions on the same day across the globe. It’s grassroots. It’s technical. It’s practical. And it’s powered by people who genuinely love sharing what they’ve learned. And yes, it’s free to attend!

The topic for April is "Water" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!