Don't judge a book by its cover

Cinemagraphs from Brookfield Youth & Community Centre, Tallaght

This was research combining an investigation into what community spirit means, and a study of the centre itself.

It was good to get an insight into this award winning building and learn about the daily challenges the staff face.

The facilities are used by the immediate locals, as well as the itinerants across the road. Not without its problems (smashed windows, abuse of the staff, cars broken into), the centre seems to be in good use.

I spoke to two staff members and a girl who used to run the cafe. I tried to get to the bottom of what they thought community spirit meant, with different opinions arising. I took cinemagraphs (animated images that look static until you see movement) to echo the fact that not all is what it seems...in both good and bad ways.

Kiara, a youth worker not from the area, saw the people in the surrounding estates as friendly and welcoming, but thought the facilities would be more successful if the centre was located in the middle of the area, rather than on the periphery. Her idea of community spirit was seen in the daily interaction of the locals

Ciarán, not from this part of tallaght, mans the desk. He sees the place as "a different world", mainly in a nagative respect, telling me of the troubles they have with the halting site. He controls the front door (where you have to be buzzed in) and has had issues with kids running in when they're not meant to ("you can't get them out, can't put your hand on them, you'll get done for abuse"). When asked about community spirit, he replied "sure whats that?... not here".

Sarah, 18 and too old to run the cafe anymore, seems to be a success story and would be the romanticised version of the ideal building user. She misses the place and says she knows everyone from spending so much time there over the last few years.