Michael Nolan heard about Men’s Shed and the activities that they engage in through various publications and it sparked an interest with him. The Glengoole man quickly discovered that there was no Men’s Shed in his local community or in neighbouring regions of Co Tipperary so, with the help of the Millennium Family Resource Centre, flyers were distributed inviting those interested to attend the meeting. Only six men turned up. However, this did not dampen Michael’s spirits and, with the support of the resource centre, the Glengoole Men’s Shed was launched in February 2015.

“We had to start from scratch. In the beginning, there was no shed and we had to meet in a porta cabin,” Michael explained, saying it was because of the hard work of those involved in Glengoole Men’s Shed, and the kind donations that they received from local business, that they were able to raise money to build their own shed where they could gather.

“We meet once a week (Tuesday) for about three hours. Men who have an interest come along and engage in activities like gardening and timber making. We grow strawberries, potatoes, cabbages, onions and rhubarb, and we make things such as bird boxes, window boxes and garden furniture.”

The men donated a bench which they hand-crafted to Glengoole School, highlighting their involvement with their local community and they regularly participate in goings-on in the county.

“We go to community events and training courses in Tipperary which includes gardening and we attended the lawn mowers maintenance course.”

Glengoole’s men shed is situated at the heart of rural Tipperary in the small village of Glengoole. New members are always welcome including those from surrounding localities. If you would like more information contact Michael Nolan on 087 642 9801 or Tom Nolan on (052) 915 6709.