A-Infos (en) Ireland's anarchist paper Workers Solidarity #107 - What the hell is a ‘social centre’?

Mark Malone spoke to Workers Solidarity about Dublin’s social centre. He is a member of the WSM and 
also of the Seomra Spraoi Collective. ---- Q. Mark, what exactly is Seomra Spraoi? ---- Seomra 
Spraoi is a self-managed, self-funded project on Belvedere Court, just off Gardiner Street in 
Dublin’s north inner city. It’s a project that functions both as a resource to different campaigns, 
groups and individuals to use for meetings and workshops, as well as being home to a radical 
cinema, cafe, internet access and library. This month there will be a creche opening too. ----
Q. Why did you get involved with the project? ---- Along with other people, I recognised a need for 
physical spaces that embody anti-capitalist ways of working, not just in the future, but in the 
here and now. In 2004 when we first started, there were no visible, self-managed social centres in 
Ireland. We were responding to our own needs as well as making a project that was open to all who 
wanted to get involved. It was a form of direct action, with a rejection of paid labour and 
hierarchical structures.

Seomra Spraoi is designed to be an entry point for a largely depoliticised population, and offers a 
living example of how people can work productively together without bosses or a profit motive. At 
the same time we wanted to take on some of the issues of social relationships that often get 
ignored in revolutionary politics, like actively challenging sexism, making the project family 
friendly and increasing accessibility - things that are often invisible barriers restricting 
people’s involvement in political and social life.

We work on a basis of direct democracy and hold weekly open meetings where decisions are made. We 
have working groups dealing with events, the cafe, cinema nights etc. that break up the running of 
the project into manageable chunks. Since starting in 2004, we have developed aims and principles 
through a process of discussion and consensus and anyone who respects and agrees with these can use 
the space. We are funded through donations and standing orders from supporters.

Q. How have anarchist ideas influenced projects like Seomra Spraoi?
Projects like this don’t work on political purism, as many people are coming from different 
personal and political places themselves. Although many people who use Seomra wouldn’t call 
themselves anarchists, it’s fair to say that anarchist ideas are at the heart of what we are about. 
Rejecting the exploitation and greed of capitalism, working democratically as equals and 
challenging oppressive social norms are central to anarchism. These are things we embrace and 
encourage.

Q. How can people get involved?
We have weekly meetings on Thursdays at 7.30pm and anyone is welcome to come along. For more 
details and a map see http://www.seomraspraoi.org.

Workers Solidarity Movement - Anarchist communist organisation in Ireland     http://www.wsm.ie
http://www.wsm.ie/news_viewer/4957

The Workers Solidarity Movement is an anarchist communist group based in Ireland. It is involved in 
workplace and social struggles.
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