Bernard O’Donovan has been involved in Kinsale Men’s Shed, located in Co. Cork, since it was established over two years ago. He currently maintains the role of secretary and has watched the shed bloom since its humble beginnings. “The shed started with one guy and now we have approximately 30 members, ranging from the age of 35 to 80,” says Bernard.

Mental health is highly regarded within the shed, but in a subtle fashion. “We don’t have it written in big writing around the walls, but the fact that people are coming to us shows that we are improving their mental wellbeing,” says Bernard. “There are people coming to the shed who would have been a bit isolated beforehand.”

Regular speakers visit Kinsale’s Men Shed to conduct a variety of talks. “We would organise a lot of talks on subjects including cosmology and the history of the West Cork railway. The next one will be on health,” says Bernard.

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The shed is only closed on a Sunday, every other weekday there is something stirring. “On a Monday night we have a male choir and on Wednesday night there is a creative writing class. We open all day on a Friday, we would have a chat and do a bit of wood work,” says Bernard.

Kinsale Shedders have also immersed themselves in writing and are creating their very own book. “The creative writing class has been ongoing for the past several months. I am not part of the class, but the tutor has them all writing short stories,” says Bernard.

Since the shed’s establishment the men have been generating pleasant chatter among the community.

“We are a non-religious, non-political organisation, but there was a nun who came into the shed at Christmas time with a figure from the crib. It was after falling and was broken into about 20 pieces and we repaired that for her. That generated a lot of publicity around the locality.”

New members are always welcome to join Kinsale Men’s Shed, and if you would like more information, you can call Bernard on 086 836 8513.