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Men’s Sheds have existed in Ireland for less than a decade. Their rise in that period, from concept to curiosity to community institution, has been quite remarkable.
That rise has coincided with a corresponding increase in the profile of Men’s Sheds, and the recognition afforded to their members and to the movement in general.
Last year, Minister Michael Ring, TD recognised the value and worth of Men’s Sheds at local and national level by instituting a Men’s Sheds fund, distributed via his own Department for Rural and Community Development as an adjunct to the Community Enhancement Programme. The total amount disbursed came to €500,000.
The list of successful applications from 310 sheds is now available, and offers a fascinating snapshot of where the Men’s Sheds movement finds itself in the dawning days of 2019.
Ballina
Ballina Men’s Shed in Co Mayo, one of the most progressive in Ireland, is using its share of the fund to acquire a bandsaw for its carpentry workshop.
Shed secretary Seamie Rice says: “This is a game-changer for us. It’s a big piece of kit and it’s going to completely revolutionise the types of projects we can carry out. It’ll take our workshop to the next level.”
Lifford
Meanwhile, in Donegal, Lifford Men’s Shed is putting the monies to equally good use – to literally put a roof over the shed’s head.
“We’re using the money to replace the roof on the shed,” says committee member Joe Rock. “We’ve acquired the materials and the tools to do it, and we’re delighted and grateful for the opportunity.”
What I’m hearing from a lot of sheds in Cork is that it’s taken the pressure off, it’s allowed them to pursue that project or that bit of infrastructure or repair that they never had the resources for
Blackrock
Blackrock Community Men’s Shed, Co Dublin, is using its share of the fund to build a meeting room in the local community garden. The project is currently under construction in a project involving the shed, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council and other community groups.
Allan Kilpatrick, founding member of Blackrock Community Men’s Shed, says that the meeting room will help deepen the shed’s roots in its community.
Passage West
Frank Clarke of Passage West Men’s Shed in west Cork also welcomed the advent of the fund monies.
“What I’m hearing from a lot of sheds in Cork is that it’s taken the pressure off, it’s allowed them to pursue that project or that bit of infrastructure or repair that they never had the resources for.”
For their own part, the Passage West men are using their fund allocation to purchase three new laptops, which will form the backbone of an ambitious new computer course, aimed at members of local sheds who lack digital literacy skills.
Minister Ring said: “It’s really heartening to hear what the individual Sheds are doing with the money and it shows that modest investments in good community organisations can go a long way. The emergence of the Men’s Sheds in recent years has been an extremely positive development for communities across Ireland and I’m delighted to be able to support the Sheds in these early stages.
“I thank the Irish Men’s Shed Association for working with me on this initiative and making it such a success. Men’s Sheds are a great initiative and I’m happy to help in this way”.
Barry Sheridan, CEO of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, welcomed the funding.
“The IMSA is extremely heartened by the take-up and response to the Men’s Sheds fund amongst our member sheds. We were delighted to be able to work with the Department to bring this fund to fruition, and I know that the support of Minister Ring and his Department means a lot to our members.”
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