Are there any MNs who are members of the UCD University Club?

[BlackAmericanoNoSugar]

It keeps popping up on my Facebook feed. I had no idea it even existed until this year (I graduated about 30 years ago). I can't quite figure out what it's for. There's a restaurant, cafe, bar and members' lounge. So, food, drink and a place to sit down for a chat basically, but you can get that anywhere so I can't quite see what the membership fee is for and the website is fairly unenlightening. What do you use it for?

I'm a member. I work from home, so in the lovely pre-covid days I used to go there and work in the lounge to get out of the house. I got the €75 membership dues per year for 5 years deal, which is well worth it to me. Not sure I'd pay much more for it though.

Did you go to any of the organised activities KindergardenCentre? They seem a bit vague about what they might offer in the way of talks etc.

Eh, no. I'm not much of a joiner . They usually have a monthly schedule of talks and events eg, book club, music events, themed food evenings, a table quiz, but tbh, I tend to glaze over. I'll see if I can dig out an email and copy and paste it, if you're interested?

No, that's fine. I was just wondering what people get out of it that they wouldn't from a good coffee shop. My Mum belongs to a yacht club and she doesn't sail any more but she still gets a lot out of being a member because of other activities. So I suppose it might be a thing for people who don't have a sailing/golf/tennis club membership. On the other hand being a member of a club that is based around an activity seems more, I don't know, purposeful. Everyone has a common interest in the activity for a start.

Yes, an activity based club would definitely be more social imo. I have never more than nodded st anyone in the lounge.

I think UCD is trying to pitch itself as similar to, eg the Stephen's Green club or even the RDS society. They are building links with other international clubs that might be useful for accommodation in the future. When I'm in the cafe (tbh mediocre, I prefer the menu in Winnie's Wagon) there are a lot of the upper echelons of academia having meetings over coffee.

I will likely host some work events there (should we ever be allowed such things again) and my membership will be useful then.