Baltinglass Men’s Shed celebrates its fourth birthday this year, with founding member and secretary Stephen Beggs speaking on behalf of the communal group.

“It was a great lady called Margaret Milliken who took the first step in establishing Baltinglass Men’s Shed. Margaret soon took a step back though, allowing us members to oversee the project ourselves. She remains a close friend to the shed.”

The group was born as an opportunity for local men to socialise and keep active in the community,

“It started as a social outlet. I know the idea of the Men’s Sheds is that they are part of a mental health initiative, but if you were to tell a group of fellas ‘We are all going here for our mental health’, they would not go. Of course it helps their mental health, but in a more passive way.”

Baltinglass Men's Shed member tending to the vegetable garden.

The shed continues to slowly develop, in the heart of Baltinglass community center. The communal location reflects the ethos of the group, as Baltinglass Men’s Shed see themselves as part and parcel of their small rural village,

“There are so many people popping in and out from the surrounding groups, who are not affiliated with Men’s Sheds, but take an interest in it anyway. Our strongest feature is how involved we are in the community,” Stephen notes.

Activities very much revolve around the two-acre garden.“We are very involved in the community garden, that is our big thing. There is a vegetable garden, an orchard and a recently planted wild forest. Everything is organic. It really is great. There is a real symbiosis about the whole thing.”

Although things are winding down in the garden for the winter months, the lads are kept busy with voluntary repairs, happy to support the community however possible.

Extremely inclusive of all age, abilities and interests, Baltinglass Men’s shed open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10am-1pm, always welcoming new members. For further details contact Stephen on 086-1676005.