Desperately seeking space: Seomra Spraoi needs a new home

dublin | miscellaneous | news report Wednesday May 02, 2007 12:45 by Social Gaff - Seomra Spraoi seomraspraoi at gmail dot com 6 Lr Ormond Quay, Dublin 1

Public meeting Thursday 8pm at the Seomra

The Dublin social centre, Seomra Spraoi, will be homeless again from May 23rd. The social centre has been located on Lwr Ormond Quay since August 2006, but is currently seeking a new home, as the owner of the building is planning to sell up.

Montage showing 6 Lr Ormond Quay

The collective that set up and runs the centre - also called Seomra Spraoi - is calling on all the people and groups who have used the space to help keep the project going. A public meeting on Thursday (May 3rd) at 8pm will include a slide show and short talk about social centres and the history of Seomra Spraoi and an open discussion about how you can get involved at this critical stage.

"Our 10-month residency on the quays has seen the project really grow and involve lots more people and a real diversity of events and activities," said a Seomra Spraoi regular, gazing wistfully out over the Liffey from the huge first-floor window. "We'll sure miss this view."

"Literally thousands of people have passed through this place since last August. By now there is something on nearly every day - gigs, craft workshops, screenings, meetings, children's events, exhibitions. At the last count, more than 20 different groups were using the place for meetings or other events. "

It's not too late to organise an event. In fact, the collective is trying to put on as many events as possible in its final weeks at Ormond Quay. See contact details below.

Seomra Spraoi expects to have to pay a bigger rent on whatever space it moves into next. You can help by taking out a standing order (see below) or organising a benefit gig or making a donation at the Seomra. Groups who have used the space and hope to use the next space are encouraged to make a regular donation of whatever they can afford, preferably by standing order.

Watch out for more background about the project soon on Indymedia.

What you can do:

• Look out for spaces to rent in Dublin city centre.

• Let Seomra Spraoi know if you have storage space.

• Come to our public meeting on Thursday, May 3rd, at 8pm at 6 Lower Ormond Quay.

• Come to our regular meetings every Thursday at 7.30pm (not this week).

• Take out a standing order (to be posted here in a minute).

How to contact Seomra Spraoi:

Email:- seomraspraoi AT gmail DOT com

Book an event:- seomraspraoievents AT gmail DOT com

Blog:- seomraspraoi.blogspot.com

MySpace:- www.myspace.com/seomraspraoi