I'm gonna go five stars on this one. I'm not a squatter but I do appreciate this place being…read moresomewhat accessible amongst other things. It's hard to qualify this place as a "squat" per se because it seems cleaner and more public than other squats I've chanced upon. I dropped by for a music workshop that was listed on their site as happening at 7:00, but it actually started at 8:00. When it did commence, it seemed like 5 people or so gathered in to do something that didn't involve a t.v. or laptop computer. Yeah, you read it here first. Take that, Ethan Kath. There is a comfortable Miss Havisham's mansion type atmosphere there ( this used to be Neary's hotel I believe) and the people seemed very easy going. An older gentleman came in with me, and one of the people there seemed to have no problem answering question upon question and tolerated an endless stream of banter.....could be an Irish thing? I don't know. Tea was available. They were polite and I believe that's a big plus for a place that requires no (as far as today) admission prices or monies for services. That being said I wouldn't go here for an indie Starbucks or angry YMCA yoga experience... Do go here to interact with human beings that have probably read more than one non-fiction book within the span of a year and to experience a sense of community based in anarchist priniples. They also have a shaz load of books so you could probably get away with just getting some tea and looking at a book if you're a total hermit and don't like talking to people.

There's nothing else like this in Dublin. It's an autonomous social centre run democratically by…read morevolunteers, right in the middle of town. There's a vegan café, bike workshop, various gigs, infoshop/library, free computer room, and loads of other stuff going on. The atmosphere is good-natured and down-to-earth. Political posters, paintings, banners, and graffiti abound. It's run by anarchists, and it's a friendly place for women, LGBT people, migrants, and other people who are marginalised in this society. It's a bit of a culture shock but that's a large part of what makes it so interesting. The whole ethos of the place is about people treating each other as equals. It's not about spending money. Everything is done by donation. There's a 'free shop' where you can take whatever you want for free and donate what you want. You're bound to meet some cool/interesting people there.

This is a really interesting community centre, used mainly by ethnic minority communities in the…read morecity as a place to hold their religious services and cultural events. There are rooms of several sizes available to rent for a day, part of a day or more long term. According to Michael, who runs the centre, the Centre is a place of hospitality inspired by the symbolism attached to it in the life of Nano Nagle who searched the back lanes of Cork each evening with her lantern seeking those who lacked food and shelter. Myself and my colleague went along to see what the set-up was and found ourselves chatting to Michael and some of his colleagues over tea and cake for over an hour, so hospitality is certainly an integral part of the experience, even for those of us just passing through briefly! The building used to be part of the local CBS, it has a lovely former playground at the back which is being turned into an interfaith display and relaxation space. The rooms have been renovated by volunteesrs since its foundation in 2007, there are some beautiful stained class efforts, paintings, and plants everwhere. The facilities are ideal for group meetings and classes such as yoga, sacred dance and capoiera classes, all of which take place in the different parts of the building, and there are some screen facilities for more formal meetings. I was really taken by the atmosphere in the place, so peaceful in the middle of a busy part of the town. Ideal for renting spaces by study groups, dance groups or anyone looking for a quiet communal space for discussions and tea.

Car broke down at St. Kevin church and they let us use their stairs to have a picnic until the toe…read moretruck came. Thanks