Location Photography

TOG will be open on Tuesday evenings from 19:00 to 21:30 for a general Open House event. Expect to find members and visitors in the space up to all sorts of activities. It's a great time to drop in and see what the space is about. If you're an artist, tinkerer, maker or just plain curious, come in and see what the space is about. Maybe you already have something to work on (or want to), have something to fix, create, design, bodge or tinker... drop in. We're also open for just for plain old social chat and hang out, with plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits. We have lots of free parking right outside our door.

🐠First timers who are interested in doing their first Open Water Scuba dive 🐬course, please RSVP and I will send you the contact information about the scuba dive course and dive master's details. There will be other people on this course besides people from this meetup. There are different course dates, so RSVP and you can choose another date if you wish. The cost of this PADI Scuba Dive course is about 650 euros or so and it is a part time course. The duration is over about a month or so. https://www.padi.com/ https://youtu.be/kvmgy4XsqrU This (PADI) scuba dive course is also a legal qualification requirement for scuba divers. The first dives will be in a large swimming pool 5m deep. If you like you can also do a pool try dive to see how you go before you start your dive course. You will be shown how to use scuba diving equipment. This PADI Open Water Diver course consists of three main phases: * Knowledge Development (online, home study or in a classroom ) to understand basic principles of scuba diving (5 modules) * Confined Water Dives to learn basic scuba skills (5 pool training dives). * Open Water Dives to review your skills and explore (4 open water dives). * Once you become a PADI qualified scuba diver you can do open water boat dives and weekend Atlantic sea boat dives and or Fyords boat scuba dives trips will be avaliable to you around Ireland and overseas. ## **Course Schedule (3-Week Format)** ### **Week One** **7:00 pm – 9:00 pm:** Induction, equipment orientation, safety briefing **9:00 pm – 10:00 pm:** Confined Water Session 1 ### **Week Two** **7:00 pm – 9:00 pm:** Knowledge Development + skills briefing **9:00 pm – 10:00 pm:** Confined Water Session 2 ### **Week Three** **7:00 pm – 9:00 pm:** Knowledge Development + final review **9:00 pm – 10:00 pm:** Confined Water Session 3 ✅ After your pool training, you're ready for your **two open-water dives.** People use Sea swimming for its healing salt properties,it washes viruses, bacteria and cleanse your skin amongst other things due to the sea salt content. There has been a large increase in people going swimming these last years. Scuba diving also refreshes your mind like hiking to start a new fresh day and a new work week. Anyone thinking about doing scuba diving this would be a good starting point for you. As usual this is a sporting event, so when you RSVP and attend this course, every person is directly responsible for their own health and saftey and accept full responsibilty. To find out more, please RSVP and I will send you the Dive Master Contact Details.🐳🐬🐚

Life Drawing Session, Tuesday evenings 6:30-9:30pm and Saturday afternoons 12-3pm in lovely Dublin City centre studio, with huge south facing bay windows and loads of natural light. Easels, drawing boards, all art materials and tea and coffee included. All levels of experience and or confidence (or lack of) are welcome! 50e for one session or 250 for six Small groups to allow for 2m per participant Bookings are confirmed on payment, and can be done by bank transfer, card over the phone or Revolut. 0863514303 or studio10dublin@gmail.com to reserve your spot!

**Tuesday Evening Taught Life Classes** Book a place here **[http://dublinlifedrawing.com/taughtclass](http://dublinlifedrawing.com/taughtclass)** Drawing from the figure has been part of an artist's basic training since ancient times, and for good reason. Drawing from observation teaches you how co-ordinate the eye and hand, and working from the nude model is the most rewarding kind of drawing. A set of taught classes will explain fundamental aspects of drawing the figure, and give tips and show tricks of exploring the materials, methods and approaches to rendering the figure on paper. This class is suitable for everyone- from beginners just starting off on their drawing journey, to more experienced people who want to build up their skills set. Basic techniques are outlined in every class, and then more complex exercises are explored. Drawing exercises take place in an easy, informal setting. Measuring, sighting, and understanding negative space and shading are explored as well as basic anatomy and proportion. Some easels and drawing boards are provided. Basic drawing materials and paper are included in the price (but feel free to bring your own). [-Book Here](http://dublinlifedrawing.com/short-course) Small class sizes with tuition and instruction will help with developing your own drawing methods and style. The teaching exercises are based on fine art practice but will be of great interest to illustrators, designers, and animators. [for more details click here.](http://dublinlifedrawing.com/taughtclass) *Long Story Short:* Life Drawing from the Nude Figure, **Tuesday evenings** 6.30-9PM(ish) 27 Pearse Street Dublin 2 Single Class Price is 40€ **including paper and materials;** Set of Three Classes 99€ Set of Six Classes 190€ Note:You don't have to use Paypal to book - there are cheaper alternatives here: **[http://dublinlifedrawing.com/taughtclass](http://dublinlifedrawing.com/taughtclass)** If you need more information email dublindrawing@gmail.com

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.

We’ll explore the dramatic coastal trails and panoramic viewpoints of Bray Head, one of the most visually rewarding walks near Dublin. From woodland paths and rugged cliff edges to expansive sea views and the iconic summit cross, this walk offers endless opportunities to work with light, texture, scale, and storytelling. The goal is simple: slow down, observe carefully, and shoot with intention. Along the route, we’ll experiment with composition, exposure, timing, landscape framing, candid moments, and using natural light in constantly changing outdoor conditions. *** ## **📍 Meeting Point** Raheen Car Park, Bray Head 📅 Saturday, 23 May 2026 🕒 10:00 hrs *** ### **What to expect** * A relaxed photowalk through Bray Head Looped Walk * Coastal landscapes, woodland trails, cliff views, textures, and candid moments * Practical, real-time photography tips while shooting * Opportunities to experiment with composition, exposure, movement, and perspective * A casual post-walk coffee session to review shots and exchange ideas *** ### **About the walk** The Bray Head Loop is one of Wicklow’s most scenic coastal walks, offering spectacular views across Bray, Dublin Bay, the Irish Sea, and the Wicklow Mountains. The route combines woodland trails, dirt paths, rocky sections, and open cliffside viewpoints. The climb to the summit cross is relatively short but steep in places, with some uneven terrain and light scrambling near the top. On a clear day, visibility stretches for miles, making this an excellent location for landscape photography and learning how to work with depth, scale, and changing natural light. **Walk details** * Grade: Moderate * Distance: \~5.5 km loop * Terrain: Uneven trails, rocky sections, woodland paths *** ### **This is for you if you want to** ✅ Get more comfortable using your camera beyond Auto ✅ Understand shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and exposure in real situations ✅ Improve landscape and outdoor composition ✅ Learn how to work with changing weather and natural light ✅ Meet other photographers and creative people *** ### **Benefits** * Experience Bray differently by actively observing instead of just walking * Learn faster through practical shooting rather than passive tutorials * Build confidence shooting outdoors in unpredictable conditions * Get feedback and inspiration from other photographers *** ### **What to bring** 📷 Any camera (phones are absolutely fine) 👟 Comfortable walking shoes with good grip ☔ Weather-appropriate clothing 💧 Water/snacks 💰 Money for coffee or food after the walk *** ### **Weather note** If conditions are too poor or unsafe for the hike, we’ll still meet in Bray and turn the session into a photography discussion and photo review meetup instead of cancelling. *** ### **Important** 🔔 This is a casual, peer-led meetup. You are responsible for your own safety and equipment. Some sections of the trail are uneven and can become muddy or slippery after rain. Please assess your own fitness and comfort level before joining. Dogs are welcome but should remain on a lead. *** ### **Leave No Trace / Outdoor Ethics** Please help keep the trail enjoyable for everyone: * Dispose of waste properly * Respect wildlife and nature * Be considerate of walkers and cyclists * Leave what you find * Keep dogs on a lead * Respect local residents and trail users *** ### **GDPR / Consent** By joining, you consent to being photographed by other participants. Always ask permission before photographing identifiable individuals outside the group. Respect refusals. Extra care is required when photographing minors. *** ### **Transport / Carpool** Need a lift or want to share a ride? You can join our [WhatsApp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/H0ld8u1MvjhGkVB2YijHPz?mode=gi_t) to coordinate transport with other participants, ask for a lift, or arrange carpooling.

COST: FREE- Tickets free on Eventbrite This looks like a really amusing lecture! This live interview will feature the story of Catherine Strong, Dublin’s official city “scavenger” tasked with running sanitation teams to clear the streets of human and animal waste. Audiences will hear how over four centuries ago Catherine Strong earned her money through levies on shopkeepers and traders but when the dung began to pile up and the stench spread across the city, her career in public service ended. Professor Jane Ohlmeyer will tell the audience how things went spectacularly wrong for Catherine but how she in turn profited by setting herself up subsequently as a moneylender. During her interview, Professor Ohlmeyer will tell Near FM presenter Ciaran Murray about the Dublin of the time, but also show how Catherine’s story, like many other women, became largely absent from history. She will speak about why she is trying to recover the voices of ordinary, non-elite women in early modern Ireland and why that’s the focus of her new European-funded project VOICES: Life and Death, War and Peace, c.1550-c.1700: Voices of Women in Early Modern Ireland. Jane Ohlmeyer, MRIA, FBA, FTCD, FRHistS, is Erasmus Smith's Professor of Modern History (1762) at Trinity College Dublin. She was a driving force behind the 1641 Depositions Project and the development of the Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute. Jane chaired the Irish Research Council (2015-21). In 2023, she received an Advanced ERC for VOICES, a project on the lived experiences of women in early modern Ireland. Jane is the author or editor of numerous articles and 14 books. Her latest, Making Empire: Ireland, Imperialism and the Early Modern World (Oxford, 2023), is based on the 2021 Ford Lectures in Oxford. In 2023 she was awarded the Royal Irish Academy Gold Medal in the Humanities. She is currently working with Briona Ni Dhiarmada on a book called From that Small Island. The Story of the Irish which is based on a 4-part documentary and a feature of the same name. **DETAILS:** **10;45 MEET OUTSIDE THE LECTURE THEATRE** **11:00am** Lecture starts **12:00 pm** Lecture ends Depending on how many people actually come on the day, we will decide where to go for coffee.

Are you Solo and Single? Make New Friends! Thus is a singles social hike in Howth's Cliff path walk To the light house. Social Dogs 🐩 are welcome.We will meet at 11.15am infront of the Dart Train Station Pub and leave about 11.30am. This is an Easy Social hike starting from train Dart Station and going along the top by the lake to the Summits to view the light house, Islands and beaches. This is an event for singles who want to socialize and make new friends. Bring snacks warm winter water proof clothing and water/drinks as we will stop for picnic lunch. This is a sporting event, so every person is responsible for their own health and saftey. When we are back in Howth fishing village we can go for Drinks/ Tea/ Coffee or food to socialize.

Have you ever walked down a street and wondered who lived there, what happened on the street, or behind closed doors? Walk along an ancient highway known in Irish as Slí Mhor, The Great Way. Listen to tales of Normans and Nobels, Rebellions and Weavers, Traders and local characters who once called this place home. Consider as you walk in the footsteps of the many people who went before you, how the area has evolved over the years and what the future may be. Our guide is Anita Ray, a proud local, born and raised in the Liberties. Be prepared to travel through the centuries, look through walls and buildings and imagine how life 'used to be'. Cost: €10.00 payable at time of booking. Please note: Bookings are not honoured without payment! [PayPal.Me/DLHGroup](https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/DLHGroup?v=1&utm_source=unp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=RT000269&utm_unptid=c5d142a8-2861-11ed-aa18-98039ba0714a&ppid=RT000269&cnac=IE&rsta=en_US%28en-IE%29&cust=ZTGE7US474996&unptid=c5d142a8-2861-11ed-aa18-98039ba0714a&calc=f793604dc7c12&unp_tpcid=ppme-social-user-profile-created&page=main%3Aemail%3ART000269&pgrp=main%3Aemail&e=cl&mchn=em&s=ci&mail=sys&appVersion=1.109.0&xt=104038) Meeting point: St. James's RC Church on James's Street.

**Explore Laytown in Meath.** **Meeting Point : Dublin Connolly Station. (Inside beside Pret A Manger)** **Time : 11:50AM.** **When : Sunday 24th of May.** We will be **meeting** at **Dublin Connolly Train Station (Inside beside Pret A Manger) at 11:50AM.** **Waiting 5 Minutes** then we will be heading to the **Drogheda InterCity Train** which is scheduled for **12:10PM.** 1**0 Stops (56 Minutes)** Howth/Junction Donaghmede, Clongriffin, Portmarnock, Malahide, Donabate, Rush & Lusk, Skerries, Balbriggan, Gormanston and reaching our destination Laytown Train Station. **We will arrive to Laytown Train Station at 13:06PM (Estimated).** **Starting** our walking loop at **13:10PM** **from Laytown Train Station.** This is loop is a coastal walk around the seafront of **Laytown** and continues into **Bettystown**. **Duration 2 Hours 30 Minutes.** **Length 10.3KM.** **Coffee Shops** : Relish, Navy at Bettytown, Ellies Ice-Cream, Ariosa Cafe and Bistro BT. Every event is 5 Euro's you can pay by using Revolut or paying by cash. I hope to see you there ! Many Thanks Thomas

_**Please note: There is always a group of regular attendees. Our WhatsApp community is our primary mode of communication. Meetup is used to promote our regular gatherings to, and communicate with, newcomers.**_ Join us for a cozy evening of conversation at our Dublin Sapphics Meetup! This event is for all adult LBTQ+ women* individuals looking to connect with like-minded friends in a casual and inclusive environment. Whether you're a social enthusiast or just looking to make new connections, this meetup is the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and socialise with fellow members of the community. Our Dublin Sapphics events are aimed at fostering a welcoming space where everyone can feel safe, supported, and celebrated. Come join us for a delightful evening of camaraderie - we can't wait to meet you!

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

**Welcome to Drunken Philosophy** a casual, curious social discussion **Optional topic for this meetup: What's up with all the AI hate?** A recent survey found that 74% of Americans have a negative view of AI, and I want to know why. Come out and debate whether AI is good or bad. My hot take: a labor-saving tool that could potentially help cure cancer gets called dangerous because it might raise unemployment or cause a speculative investment bubble, that tells you a lot more about capitalism and the economic system we live under than it does about the tool itself. As a computer programmer, I think AI is a wonderful tool that has increased my productivity by at least an order of magnitude. I'd go so far as to say Claude Code is the best tool I have ever used. Debate me and name a better one. Is AI potentially dangerous? Yes, but so are a lot of tools. Chainsaws. Steam engines (early ones would occasionally explode and kill everyone in the room). Do you think cavemen sat around debating whether fire could be used as a weapon or for self-harm, and decided not to discover it? I have two friends who hate AI for opposite reasons: one thinks it's a fad and not useful, and the other thinks it's going to take over everything and cause human extinction. Come out tonight, have a friendly debate, and make some friends. No lectures. Friendly crowd. Drop in for one drink and stay if it's fun.

TOPIC (TBD): Meeting Schedule: 1. 6:00 - Introduction, Meet New Members 2. 6:10 - Old Business 3. 6:20 - New Business 4. 6:30 - Pre-Shoot Briefing/Education 5. 7:15 - Break 6. 7:30 - Image Critique 7. 8:00 - Adjourn Pre-Shoot Brief/Education: NIK Collection 8 Image Critique: Previous Photoshoot Images (iPhone images and Christmas Cards). If anyone has images they would like critiqued, please provide them at the beginning of the meeting. Providing Images for Critique: For now, I will collect images at the beginning of the meeting on a USB memory stick. My computer has USB-C ports, so a USB-C memory stick or one with dual (USB-C / USB-A) ports will be needed. Images should follow these format rules: JPG - 80% quality or higher 132 dpi resolution 2048 pixels across the long edge Embedded colorspace - sRGB

Hosted by Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District **Stream Team Sampling Events** Are you interested in the health of local rivers and streams? You can join the Licking County Soil and Water in a Stream Team assessment. These events are a night filled will fun in the water. We look at habitat, biology, and chemical parameters in waterways that indicate how healthy our water is! We would love to see you at one of these events! Family friendly. Free to attend. June Wildwood Park, Granville Where: 785 W Broadway, Granville, OH 43023 Date: 6/11/2026 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 P.M. July Velvet Ice Cream, Ye Olde Mill Where:11324 Mount Vernon Rd, Utica, OH 43080 Date: 7/9/2026 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 P.M.