Wanted: a quiet place in which to work

Julius412

I'm looking for somewhere quiet where I can take
a laptop and do work that requires concentration.
I would mostly need this at weekends, and in the
evening after I finish work. Does anyone have any
suggestions?

Ideally, it would be possible to work for long
stretches; 3 hours, 5 hours, or even as much as 10
hours at a time.

Wi-fi (or some other means of Internet access) is
very much desirable, but not essential.

I would be happy to pay for this facility. Renting
office space doesn't seem like an option, though;
I don't have much money, so I expect I couldn't
afford it.

This might seem like a slightly bizarre idea, but I'll
throw it out anyway: if anyone has a quiet house,
and can make a room available, then we may be able
to come to an arrangement.

Rather than a payment, perhaps I can provide a service
in return (I'm a web developer by trade).

A cafe would probably not be suitable, because I
really do need somewhere quiet. The outdoors isn't
suitable either; too many distractions.

Although I'm posting this in the Dublin City forum,
I would consider any place that's easily reachable
from the Dun Laoghaire area.

xzanti

A Library?

wicklowwonder

Julius412 wrote: »

I'm looking for somewhere quiet where I can take
a laptop and do work that requires concentration.
I would mostly need this at weekends, and in the
evening after I finish work. Does anyone have any
suggestions?

Ideally, it would be possible to work for long
stretches; 3 hours, 5 hours, or even as much as 10
hours at a time.

Wi-fi (or some other means of Internet access) is
very much desirable, but not essential.

I would be happy to pay for this facility. Renting
office space doesn't seem like an option, though;
I don't have much money, so I expect I couldn't
afford it.

This might seem like a slightly bizarre idea, but I'll
throw it out anyway: if anyone has a quiet house,
and can make a room available, then we may be able
to come to an arrangement.

Rather than a payment, perhaps I can provide a service
in return (I'm a web developer by trade).

A cafe would probably not be suitable, because I
really do need somewhere quiet. The outdoors isn't
suitable either; too many distractions.

Although I'm posting this in the Dublin City forum,
I would consider any place that's easily reachable
from the Dun Laoghaire area.

The Digital Hub? I know a friend of mine has a desk up there he loves it.

Julius412

Libraries aren't suitable, in my experience.
For example, the ILAC Centre Library is crowded and
fairly noisy. Dun Laoghaire library allows children,
and can be quite noisy.

Julius412

wicklowwonder: thanks for the suggestion. I'll get in
touch with the Digital Hub, but I'm not that hopeful
that it'll meet my needs. My impression is that
the offices are not very isolated from each other,
and thus noisy.

Dyr

I know a place that's opened weekends evenings and has a small library area, you could chance your arm and just use it or ask for access at a price maybe

Jay D

I'd be with you on the library front. ANY I've ever used are a joke when it comes to actually being quiet. Is it UCD that has a fine for mobile phone usage? Hate them all

I might know somewhere though I'll ask a little later and get back to you.

Toby Take a Bow

Public libraries probably wouldn't be what you're looking for, but would you have access to one of the university libraries? Depending on where you get a seat (and they're empty at the moment) UCD and TCD library are really quiet. The National Library would be another bet, and I think they have wi-fi now. I think you have to be working on things of Irish interest to get a library card for there, or you have to *tell* them you're working on something of Irish interest.

Julius412

About university libraries: no, I don't have access, I'm afraid.

Pandoras Twist

Julius412 wrote: »

About university libraries: no, I don't have access, I'm afraid.

As a non-UCD graduate:

How much does it cost to use UCD Library?
There are different cost options for external readers who are non-UCD Graduates:
June to August €70.00

http://www.ucd.ie/library/using_the_library/admission/visitors/

The library is very quiet, particularly at this time of year. There's wifi and cable internet available

Julius412

About UCD library: that's very interesting. Unfortunately,
it's not an option for me, since the work I have in mind is
not research.

Pandoras Twist

That wouldn't matter. It just gives you access to use the library. So you can go in from 8.30am to 8 pm and take a desk and do whatever you want.

Is it just a quiet place you want, and you intend to make noise yourself e.g. on the phone etc? In which case libraries wouldn't be suitable, but if you are just working off a laptop then I would suggest getting the public access.

edellc

why dont you just move to a rental accommodation on your own, and in the sub burbs or even in the country, get broadband and away you go total isolation and silence and you can work all the hours you want

plenty of cottages to let in the middle of no where on daft.ie

Julius412

About UCD Library: the page you linked to makes
it clear that access is only available to people
doing research. So in order to get access, I would
have to tell a lie when making my application.

FensterDJ

how about........... your bedroom?

blankblank

Julius412 wrote: »

About UCD Library: the page you linked to makes
it clear that access is only available to people
doing research. So in order to get access, I would
have to tell a lie when making my application.

Any form of work can technically be classed as research. This is your best option.

Pandoras Twist

The wording is just because they assume that people wanting to get access tot he library would be doing it for research purposes.

For example, when I graduate UCD I will pay that fee to become an external borrower when I am going to be studying for my professional exams. I won't be doing research, just using the place for a quiet desk in a place that I am used to. I've even mentioned this to the librarians when inquiring about the process. They don't care what you use it for, dont be overly worried about the word they happened to use. It was probably just the most encompassing term they could think of

Jimmyhologram

There will be shorter opening hours at UCD over the summer, however. Not open at weekends, and closing a bit earlier in the evenings too. Might not suit if you have a regular 9-5 day job.

Pandoras Twist

The times I gave are the summer times apart from friday where it closes at 6 rather than 8.

mattser

Jay D wrote: »

I'd be with you on the library front. ANY I've ever used are a joke when it comes to actually being quiet. Is it UCD that has a fine for mobile phone usage? Hate them all

I might know somewhere though I'll ask a little later and get back to you.

Speaking of which, I have been attending Blanchardstown Library for the last 30 years, well, at least until this year.

It used to be in Roselawn S.C. Peace and tranquility.

Its replacement at the Blanch Centre is a nightmare. Probably the biggest, loudest, creche in Ireland.

Take a drive out the country, OP, pick a nice field, and with the owners permission and the serenity, you'll major.

GOOD LUCK.

Jimmyhologram

Pandoras Twist wrote: »

The times I gave are the summer times apart from friday where it closes at 6 rather than 8.

Oh sorry, didn't know they were open that later over summer. Pretty decent so.

longhalloween

What about other university facilities, such as the Quinn or Daedalus buildings in UCD. Don't know what their opening hours are but it should be easy to find out.

Also you could try tog.ie if you're working on projects. You might find like minded people there.

Jimmyhologram

mattser wrote: »

Speaking of which, I have been attending Blanchardstown Library for the last 30 years, well, at least until this year.

It used to be in Roselawn S.C. Peace and tranquility.

Its replacement at the Blanch Centre is a nightmare. Probably the biggest, loudest, creche in Ireland.

Take a drive out the country, OP, pick a nice field, and with the owners permission and the serenity, you'll major.

GOOD LUCK.

Depressing...Sounds similar to the Ilac Centre library.