These guys do amazing work. The staff is so dedicated to heart-health, and work so hard to get…read moretheir message out there.

Comhlámh is an NGO which deals primarily with returned developed workers, and does development…read moreeducation as well. They are a mine of information, and run some very interesting courses. Their website is also a great place to get information on jobs or volunteering in the development sector, which is a growing choice for many of us who are either at a loose end or looking to go save the world. The staff are really helpful, though be warned - they can't wave a magic wand and make everything nice and easy!!! Their publications are very interesting, although they would be directed more towards those with experience, or who are working in the sector. When most people think of NGOs, they think of the big ones such as Amnesty or Oxfam, but these guys remind us that they are involved in many different aspects of development - less glamorous perhaps, but no less important.

If you want to volunteer in Ireland but don't know where to turn, the National Volunteer…read moreDevelopment Agency in Temple Bar is a good place to start. They have information on various volunteer activities you can get involved in and will be happy to help you find a project that suits your skills.

Lovely chemist lovely staff best Chemist for service and Staff…read more Very good quality and value fir money on products.

Small local pharmacy, open until 7pm on week nights. Not a bad selection of products but the shop…read moreseemed a little cluttered. Staff were nice but not exactly super helpful or overly friendly. Handy if you live locally but there are two others close by in Leopardstown shopping centre (Unicare and Falmer) which are at least as good.

I paid a visit to the DSPCA this afternoon to collect a sponsorship card for two 10km walks I'm…read moredoing next weekend I have to say I was moved by the work all their volunteers are doing there I was moved to see so many neglected animals looking for a new home it really brought a tear to my eyes my heart goes out to all the animals there. But for anyone thinking of adopting a pet A Pet is not just for Christmas it's for life. Put some serious consideration into thinking if you are able to look after them for life My visit today has inspired me to raise as much money as i can for this amazing Charity God bless all involved in the DSPCA keep up your amazing work

I had the distinct pleasure of fostering 2 adorable kittens from DSPCA for 3 weeks. They always…read moreneed fosters, so if you have the time and a bit of patience, I definitely encourage you to look into this! The foster program basically is this: The kennels and cages need turnaround at the shelter and the pets need to be immunized. This is where the volunteers come in. Fosterers pick up the pet(s) at DSPCA, which provides everything needed such as litter, litter box, food, food dishes, as well as any necessary medications. I took home 2 sister kittens who were a bit feral (the woman at SPCA said they think the mum was feral). Although I'd had cats most of my life, I'd never raised feral cats - this was certainly different! They were very sweet, yet not quick to be friendly socialisers! With a little TLC, google research on socialising feral kittens, we were eventually a happy household after 2 weeks! By the end of the 3rd week, the cats were approaching me and lay on my lap while I was reading. Fostering was truly such a rewarding experience. There are so many abandoned animals who just need a little TLC and DSPCA will find them a loving home. I would give DSPCA 5 stars, but my only disappointment is their telephone system, which frankly sucks. Had a rather important question (forgot how many eye drops were needed each day) and could not get through to ANYONE. I tried all options on the menu. When I was finally able to leave a voicemessage, nobody ever returned my call - ever. Aside from this little hiccup, I encourage you to foster if you have it in your heart to volunteer. The minimum timeframe (i think) is 2 weeks, but typically they need people to take the cat(s) (sometimes dogs as well) for 3 weeks during immunisations. You can sign up for emails at dspca.ie and also fill out a volunteer form, which makes things quicker when you arrive at DSPCA. Signing up for this online will also give you a weekly email listing what animals need to be fostered. **Last note: I was told that in the last year, since DSPCA has expanded their foster program, 600 pets' lives were saved thanks to the foster program. *warm fuzzies*

These guys get stuff done! They're involved in virtually all the events that are held in the Temple…read moreBar area (and why wouldn't they be, don't they get revenue out of it?!) and help to make it such a cool place to go with all it's randomness. Their website is one of the best in terms of figuring out the area, and has some good deals too. And who doesn't love those guys in the hi-viz vests that stop you drinking in Meeting House Square?!

VSO Ireland, and NGO that has been operating since 2004, is part of the umbrella organization VSO…read moreInternational. Their development work centres around six goals: disability, education, HIV/AIDS, health, secure livelihoods and governance. They work with numerous grassroot organizations in the developing world and if you want to lend a helping hand, you can apply for a volunteer placement with one of their partners, but they offer placements in 40 countries.

One of the pre-eminent agencies dealing with homelessness in Ireland, the Simon Community plays an…read moreimportant role in in Ireland. It's one of those NGOs that is well-known throught the country - highly visible and a common recipient of school-led fundraisers. They run things like soup runs, emergency housing, needle exchange programmes (and no matter how anti-drugs you may be, these are important), alcohol detox residences and prevention/early intervention. They are (unfortunately) doing a bustling business at the moment, if the constant queues for the offices outside my house are anything to go by too...though it feels wrong somehow to be popping up to the flat while other people are desperately looking for a roof over their heads...

Simon Community is not only a great charity organization, with volunteers working night and day to…read morehelp the homeless with both food and shelter, they throw awesome fundraising parties to raise much-needed money for the fight against homelessness. I had a blast competing in various different sports at their games-day in Herbert Park, and got my money's worth at a bingo night with DJs and dancing at No. 4 Dame Lane. Keep your ears to the ground for next event. Entertaining, and for a good cause!