Non-Fiction Writing

Hello Everyone! Let's read something before coming to the event. It can be a few pages from a book, an article, a poem, an advertisement, a joke, a recipe, a quote, social media content - anything you find interesting. We meet and chat about it, as a starting point of conversation. Please feel free to bring books :)

📚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! 😊

For December’s book club meeting, I’d love for us to raise some money for charity. Normally, everyone contributes €2 per session to cover the Meetup subscription, but this month your contribution will go directly to charity instead. If you’d like to give a little extra, you’re very welcome to — and I’ll personally match whatever we raise. The Charity I have chosen is Doctors Without Borders. https://www.msf.ie/ EDIT: Hi guys, there seems to be an issue with using PayPal so I am refunding those who already paid. You can transfer 2 euro + any donation you may like to me on Revolut @caitri5ao2 either before or at the event. I will also accept cash at the event if you do not have Revolut.

Another December swim? Why not! Let’s meet for a swim this Saturday December 20th at Seapoint at 12.30.

You'll meet your local guide at the meeting point a little before 11AM and show your booking. Then we'll commence a fascinating walking tour through the streets, sights, and sounds of Dublin old and new. You'll get an unrivalled insight to the history and culture that has shaped the capital you see today - warts and all, discover the lesser-known, intriguing oddities of our city, and get unique insider tips for the rest of your stay. Sites and topics covered include: Dublin Castle, Christchurch, Viking & Medieval Dublin, Temple Bar, fables, folklore and mythology, Trinity College, Stephen's Green, risings and rebellions, writers & rogues and so, so much more... please remember, places are limited and you must book your spot via: https://www.generationtours.com/dublin See you soon!

**IMPORTANT:** In order to secure your spot you must RSVP through the WeMeet app [here.](https://www.weroad.com/wemeet/events/dublin/walking-club-explore-dublin-s-christmas-market-99526881-0c50-4ae2-be1b-9aac88620c66) **Christmas markets, trying mulled wine, festive treats, and discovering magical corners of the city — but somehow, no one is free to join?** Well, no more strolling alone. Welcome to **Walking Club's Christmas Market Edition**. An opportunity to make your seasonal dreams come true and share the magic. You'll be exploring the **Smithfield and Henry/Mary Street markets.** ✨ **Why join?** – Meet people like you who enjoy exploring Christmas Markets – Indulge in mulled wine – Get in the season's spirit 📌 **How it works:** – Meeting point revealed the day before via **in app notifications** – A relaxed market crawl outlined for you – **Virtual host**: everyone brings the magic – **Whatsapp group** to be in communication with the group The perfect cosy, winter plan.

## ✨ Blue Hour Christmas Photowalk – Samuel Beckett Bridge (Dublin) Let’s capture the magic of Dublin as it glows during the blue hour—just before nightfall, when the sky turns deep blue and city lights begin to shimmer. This Christmas-season special focuses on photographing the Samuel Beckett Bridge and its surrounding riverside views, where festive reflections, architectural lines, and soft evening light come together beautifully. After meeting for a warm drink, we’ll stroll along the Liffey, exploring the best vantage points for blue hour long exposures, architectural shots, and seasonal city ambience. *** ## 📍 Meeting Point **Il Caffé di Napoli** 41 Westland Row, Dublin 2 🕔 **Time:** 4:00 pm 📅 **Date:** Sunday, 21/12/2025 *** ## 🚶 Walk Details **Theme:** Blue Hour Photography – Christmas lights **Highlights:** * Samuel Beckett Bridge illuminated at dusk * Festive city lights and reflections on the river * Minimalist long exposures, architectural frames, and leading lines * Christmas atmosphere along the quays **Photography Opportunities:** * Blue hour long exposures * Symmetry and geometric compositions * Illuminated bridges and skyline reflections * Seasonal light accents and decorations *** ## ⚠️ Important Notices **Weather & Schedule** If heavy rain or unsafe conditions are forecast, the event may be rescheduled. Updates will be shared if needed. **Responsibility** This is a casual, community-driven meet-up. Participants are responsible for their own safety, equipment, and awareness near roads and water edges. *** ## ☕ Warm-Up Option We’ll start at **Il Caffé di Napoli**, where you can grab something warm, meet fellow photographers, and adjust your settings before heading out. *** ## ✅ This Photowalk Is Perfect If You Want To… * Practice blue hour and evening photography * Learn to balance ambient and artificial light * Capture Dublin’s skyline in a festive mood * Meet others who enjoy city and night photography *** ## 🎒 What to Bring 📷 Camera with manual controls 🦵 Tripod (highly recommended) 🧤 Warm clothing – December evenings can be chilly 💡 Optional: ND filter, remote shutter, extra battery 💰 Coffee/drink money *** ## 🪪 GDPR / Consent By joining, you consent to being photographed by other participants. Please avoid photographing identifiable individuals without permission.

My name is Aurelie and I'm graduating with an MSc in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Limerick. I run monthly **machine learning** and **deep learning** tutorials in Dublin with a small group of people. \*\*In this tutorial, we will build a **Support Vector Machines** model using the **Support Vector Regression** built-in algorithm from **Scikit-learn**. Together, we will walk through the full pipeline from data preprocessing to model training and evaluation. This will include looking at correlations , removal of outliers and GridSearchCV. * The tutorials are interactive and will be conducted using **Jupyter notebooks** on **Google Colaboratory** (a free, cloud-based platform that lets us write and run code directly in the browser). While **Google Colaboratory** is free to use, tasks that require more computational power (such as training deep learning models) may benefit from GPU access. In that case, Google offers a once-off payment for around €10 which can last several months depending on your usage. Some familiarity with **Python** or other programming languages is helpful but not required. Everyone is welcome to join and learn at their own pace. * The tutorial lasts for 1.5 hours from **3** to **4.30 pm**. * During the tutorial, I share the Jupyter notebook with participants so they can keep it for future reference. We go through the notebook step by step together and I do my best to answer any questions along the way. * The notebook includes the complete code from data preparation to model training and evaluation. It can be reused or adapted for your own business needs or personal projects * We will be working with a variety of **Python** libraries including **Scikit-learn**, **PyTorch**, **TensorFlow**, **Keras**, **Seaborn**, **Pandas** and **Matplotlib** and the **Hugging Face** framework. These tools will help us explore different machine learning and deep learning techniques using publicly available datasets. * Each tutorial focuses on a different algorithm in depth. Topics covered include **linear regression**, **logistic regression**, **K-means clustering**, **decision trees**, **artificial neural networks (ANNs)**, **convolutional neural networks (CNNs)** for image classification, **object detection** and **natural language processing**. The goal is to break down each technique step by step, making it approachable and practical for real-world applications. The tutorials take place at the **Camdem court hotel in Dublin 2** at **the bar or the restaurant** if the bar is full (coffees need to be ordered at the restaurant). It will run from **3pm** to **4.30 pm**. **If the bar is busy ,we' ll meet at the restaurant.** **Camdem court hotel** **Camden Street Lower, Saint Kevin's, Dublin, D02 W086** * The tutorials are a high-level practical introduction to machine learning and deep learning and the emphasis on understanding how we process the data , train and evaluate a model with Python. We won't cover the mathematics behind it however some tutorials may have mathematical formulas as part of the algorithm explanation and some tutorials might have more complex data preprocessing as it depends on the datasets and the task we are doing. However the tutorials focus on the practical part! * *Payments need to be made in advance to secure your place and fees are non-refundable unless I need to cancel the event, in this case refunds will be made.*

Meet-Up Hike We are meeting at Tara Street for 10:30, meeting beside Fresh (shop) opposite side of the Ticket Machines. We will wait five minutes so please be early. After we will walk to Poolpeg Street, the Bus 47 (Dublin Bus) is scheduled for 10:45, the bus duration is 45 minutes (estimation). We will be getting off at Belarmine Drive. Then it is 11 Minute walk to start. You can get on the Bus from Stillorgan Laus Stop and from Sandymount Bus Stop also. There is a Fernhill Car Park also (which is 12 minutes away) Walk is 2 1/2 - 3 hours long (Distance 6KM).

*I have found that it can be difficult to find male-only spaces where I can openly experience and express my emotions and vulnerability in a group setting, which can lead to feelings of loneliness that I have experienced. This facilitated male-only walk in nature aims to address that. Please note, there is no pressure to share during the walk—attendees can choose to share as little or as much as they wish.* I may run more mixed (male and female) walks in the future. *Thanks for your interest.* ‘If we keep our eyes open and our hearts clear, we can realise that life gives us adequate opportunities to experience both love and hope.’ (John Moriarty) ‘Nature, calling us out of our biographies into the fluvial marvel of now.’ (John Moriarty) 'The freedom in walking lies in not being anyone; for the walking body has no history, it is just an eddy in the stream of immemorial life.' (Frédéric Gros) “In the age of the world’s night, someone returns to be beginning, becomes so inwardly empty as to be available to the beginning.” (John Moriarty) 'There was something in the darkness and cold that comforted me in my pain. There was something in feeling the rain. There was something if I stayed long enough.' 'I asked myself what it would be like to enter into the dark and emerge into the light. What would I discover about myself and others? What would I find in this space that could help me?' \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* These walks will encourage speaking from the heart, periods of silence mixed with gentle sharing, storytelling, encounters with nature, and free-roaming/solitary exploration. Contemplation and reflection practices will also be featured, and depending on the number of participants, I may incorporate individual, pair, and group activities. **Example format of a walk (please note this format can change slightly from walk to walk, depending on different factors - see note 1):** * Welcome, Introductions, Icebreaker Activity, and Group Guidelines * Walk for 15-20 mins as a group * Gather, check in, and share for 5-10 mins * Walk for another 15-20 mins as a group with someone leading * Gather, check in, and share for 5-10 mins * Stillness activity and/or free exploration/wandering for 15-20 mins * Final gather, check-in, and share for 10-15 mins * Invitation to share feedback, thank you, and farewell/goodbyes I will aim to provide a supportive and safe space during the walk where people can freely open up about their lives and experiences as much or as little as they choose to. Anything you share is confidential and shall not be disclosed outside the space. * **TIME:** Sunrise starts around 7/7.30am, approximately, so we will meet at 6.00am and start walking around 6.05am/6.10am. Please be on time to respect other members in the group. We will need to start walking at 6.10am at the latest. * **MEETING POINT:** The meeting point is at the Parkgate Street Entrance to Phoenix Park, where the bike rental is located. * **IMPORTANT:** Please read notes 1-16 below to prepare yourself for the walk. **Note 1 - Walk Format** Please note that the format can slightly change from walk to walk as I like to check in with participants and the group regularly during the event to try and understand what they need as the walk unfolds and try to be flexible given the needs that can arise or just how the group is feeling as a whole. Other factors, such as weather, location, time, the introduction of new practices, and participant sharing, can also influence the structure and flow of the event. **Note 2 - Silence** I would like to explore being with silence during the walks, so I will suggest that people do some parts of the walk in silence if they want to and feel comfortable. When we reach destinations or resting points on the walk, there will be a break in the silence to allow for engagement and sharing if people feel like it. I may suggest different prompts or topics at times if needed to stimulate conversation, but primarily, I would prefer to use the group's collective wisdom and shared insights to guide the dialogue. If people prefer or need to talk at times, that's fine, but please be aware of and respect the silence in the space by being mindful of your proximity to others and speaking in softer tones if necessary. **Note 3 - Walking Pace** People will be encouraged to walk at their own pace, which they are comfortable with, and at the pace they feel in the moment. For some parts of the walk, I want people to explore their being, and that will bring them to different places than others. For example, someone may want to sit on a bench and breathe, someone else may want to stretch using the kerb, and another person may be drawn to walk towards or around a tree. We will regroup at different intervals before coming back together. If people prefer to talk to someone and walk in pairs or groups, that is fine. **Note 4 - Focuses/Topics** Listening, Silence, Heart, Wildness, Breath, Being, Pain/Suffering, Grief/Loss, Gentleness, Immersion, Gratefulness, Presence, Patience, Stillness, Honest Vulnerability, Kindness, Respect, Curiosity, Non-judgment, Peace, Innocence, Play, Letting Go, Ease, Rest, Movement, Senses, Feeling, Depth, Simplicity, Choices, Story, Calm, Safety, Interconnectedness, Contemplation, Grace. **Note 5 - Weather/Clothing** Please check the forecast and dress appropriately. I will still walk if there is rain/bad weather unless it is very, very bad. **Note 6 - Footwear** There is a chance we could walk through long, wet grass and/or leaves, so hiking footwear or something that can get a bit wet or dirty while you stay comfortable would be advised. **Note 7 - Phones** Please put your phone on silent mode for the duration of the walk so we can create a space with fewer distractions. If you need to take a call, please put some distance between yourself and the group before doing so to respect the quiet space we create together. **Note 8 - Thoughts On Discomfort** Speaking for myself, it will involve some discomfort to get out of bed early for a walk, as it is not something I do often. I hope to try and accept and work through this feeling of discomfort during the experience and perhaps open up to something beyond it. People may approach or experience this differently, and I hope to hear and open up to their ways of experience, too. **Note 9 - Donations** Donations are welcome and go towards supporting the group. I suggest a donation of €3 if you wish to donate. Donations can be made using Revolut, PayPal, or cash. If using cash, please have exact change as I don't normally have change on me. Pay by Revolut - [https://revolut.me/davidtbt5](https://revolut.me/davidtbt5) **Note 10 - Toilet Facilities** As far as I know, there are no official toilet facilities open at this time in Phoenix Park. Please be mindful of this before joining this event. If I hear or discover anything different, I will update this section. **Note 11 - Bike Parking Facilities** There are plenty of places to park bikes at the Parkgate Street entrance to Phoenix Park. **Note 12 - Car Parking Facilities** Parking a car to get to the Parkgate Street entrance to the Phoenix Park requires some forward thinking and planning. There is a large car park at the back of Heuston Station, but it is a 10-15 minute walk from where we meet. As it is early in the morning, you may be able to find a spot to park your car in the park, or else there may be on-street parking on Parkgate Street or around the courts. If I can think of any other options, I will post them here. **Note 13 - RSVPs** Please only RSVP if you intend to come and change your RSVP to 'No' if you are not going to be able to attend. **Note 14 - Disclaimer** Attending this event and every event in this group is entirely in every possible way at your own risk. **Note 15 - Questions/Feedback** If you have any questions or feedback, please do let me know. **Note 16 - Quotes** SOME MORE QUOTES THAT HAVE INSPIRED THIS EVENT: ‘If there's going to be any chance for us, we're going to have to stop and wait for our souls to catch up.’ (John Moriarty) 'I was experiencing an unnegotiable need to walk the earth with a barefoot heart and a barefoot mind.' (John Moriarty) 'Walking is to return to be guided by our own hearts...' (Unknown) “When there is really nothing left to do or believe, except to remember, walking helps retrieve the absolute simplicity of presence, beyond all hope, before any expectation.” (Frédéric Gros) “Days of slow walking are very long: they make you live longer, because you have allowed every hour, every minute, every second to breathe, to deepen, instead of filling them up by straining the joints…” (Frédéric Gros)

You'll meet your local guide at the meeting point a little before 11AM and show your booking. Then we'll commence a fascinating walking tour through the streets, sights, and sounds of Dublin old and new. You'll get an unrivalled insight to the history and culture that has shaped the capital you see today - warts and all, discover the lesser-known, intriguing oddities of our city, and get unique insider tips for the rest of your stay. Sites and topics covered include: Dublin Castle, Christchurch, Viking & Medieval Dublin, Temple Bar, fables, folklore and mythology, Trinity College, Stephen's Green, risings and rebellions, writers & rogues and so, so much more... please remember, places are limited and you must book your spot via: https://www.generationtours.com/dublin See you soon!

Meeting in the car park at Zipit car park at 9.40am. Use drop pin for exact location. This hike is in and around Tribadden, DMW, Cruagh mountain and Woods and a few bits in between, covering a distance of approx. 15km Appropriate hiking gear is a must on all of my hikes. Bring lunch and drinks of your choice. Coffee afterwards as usual in Zipit car park cafe.

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Sunday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at noon on Sundays. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 12:00 - quick intros. 12:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 1:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 1-1:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Sunday!

We will be having an open discussion of the book "the Soul of an Octopus" by Sy Montgomery. [this is the amazon link for this book](https://a.co/d/1bRn8h4)

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!

First Sundays are free admission at Franklin Park Conservatory. Sunday, January 4th, is also the last day The Palm House will be open before renovations begin. Let’s meet, enjoy a respite from January weather, and wander the gardens. Free neanthe bella palms are available to guests, beginning at 10am, while supplies last. Afterwards, we can visit the nearby East Market (212 Kelton Avenue).

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!