Makerspaces – or hackerspaces, as they are also known – are key resources for the maker community.
Makerspaces provide those interested in making anything, really, with the tools, support and environment they need.
They can supply tools like 3D printers, software, electronics, craft supplies, and wood and metalwork tools. More importantly, they also provide support and access to knowledge, and give people the space they need to be creative.
With things like 3D printers and electronics equipment becoming more affordable in recent times, there has been a growth in makerspaces around the country, with DCU’s Innovation Campus even having a floor that is a dedicated hackerspace, where regular hackathons are held.
Below, we list seven more makerspaces where you can unleash your creativity, whatever field you’re in and whatever level of expertise you are at.
TOG Dublin Hackerspace
TOG is a hackerspace in Dublin city, where both new and old technologies are welcome. TOG holds regular collaborative evenings at which people are encouraged to come along and work on things that interest them. The current roster of events includes Coder Night, Craft Night, Computer Aided Design Night, and Electronics and Microcontroller Night.
091 Labs, Galway
091 Labs is a collaborative hackerspace based in Galway city. It is a shared physical space for all creative projects – including art, woodwork, software, photography, and electronics – and welcomes all skill levels. 091 Labs aims for diversity in the projects it facilitates and it tries to incorporate the vibrant arts community in Galway.
Nexus Cork
Nexus is a makerspace located on Sullivan’s Quay in Cork city, where members tinker with technology, information and culture. Nexus’ website appears to be undergoing a makeover at the moment so the best place to find out about upcoming events is on its Twitter.
Lightbox Lab, Drogheda
Lightbox Lab – @droghackspace on Twitter – aims to provide a shared workspace for people in the Louth and Meath areas, where anybody with an interest in the different aspects of technology can bring their ideas, projects and resources together in a relaxed environment.
Farset Labs, Belfast
Farset Labs welcomes everybody from hobbyists and students to members of the local community, allowing them to use its makerspace to foster their creative and technological thinking. Farset has a wide variety of resources, including Raspberry Pis, iMacs, classic gaming consoles, a 3D printer, electronics kits, and metal and woodworking facilities. It holds events for all skill levels around a wide variety of areas, such as electronics, crafting, biohacking, metalwork, woodwork, computer science and art.
South East Maker Space (SEMS)
SEMS is based in Waterford city and provides a space for members to make their creative projects a reality. The makerspace also holds informative talks and workshops, such as the recent workshop it held on Piezo Microphone. SEMS was established in 2013 and is always open to new members.
FormaLabs, Cork
FormaLabs is a biomakerspace located in Cork that aims to nurture a passion for all things biology. Ireland’s first community laboratory, Forma Labs provides equipment, space and know-how to allow people to learn the art of DNA barcoding and more. Events that are run there cover areas as diverse as DIY-neurobiology, bio-printing of human prosthetics, garage genetic sequencing or engineering, and food microbiology, and they also run a monthly Bio Banter meetup for people who just want to casually chat about science and technology.
IoT Makers Week explores the internet of things revolution and the makers driving it with reports on Siliconrepublic.com from 5 to 9 October 2015. Get updates by subscribing to our news alerts or following @siliconrepublic and the hashtag #IoTMakersWeek on Twitter.
Main image via Shutterstock
