Hello,
one year ago the Berlin Linux User Group (BeLUG, a non-commercial association) started a new regular event which is supposed to bring new kinds of (private) computer users in contact with Linux: the Linux Presentation Day (LPD)
http://www.linux-presentation-day.org/
The LPD has quickly spread across Europe:
May 2015: Berlin only November 2015: 72 cities in 3 countries April 2016: 110 cities in 10 countries October, 22nd 2016: 15+ countries expected
The LPD is a non-commercial event and (usually) free of charge for the visitors.
The main idea is that being part of a huge international event should both increase the motivation of potential hosting organisations and make it easier to get media coverage. Furthermore the event organising becomes a lot easier, of course.
There are recommendations but no strict rules what an LPD event shall look like. An important part of the concept is that it usually does not require a budget and can be done with very little effort. In the most simple case there are a few computers with different Linux desktop environments and a staff member for each of them so that the visitors can ask questions, let the staff show to them how things are done unser Linux and give it a try.
We have no contact to hosting organisations in Ireland yet and thus we are looking for both one or more hosting organisations and someone who coordinates the activities there (national web site, mailing lists, contact to national media). The hosting organisations in Germany currently include associations (mainly Linux user groups and hackerspaces), informal groups (small Linux user groups), companies (IT service), adult education centres, universities, and schools.
If
a) you as an organisation are interested in participating
b) some members / employees have a personal, private interest
c) you have an idea which other organisations might be interested
then I would be glad to hear from you.
Best regards,
(Mr.) Hauke Laging BeLUG board and central LPD organiser