Like most, the Men’s Shed in Cahir does a lot of woodworking and is very involved in the local community. They marshal events and also help out with the Tidy Towns, making features and fixing anything that may be broken.

However, for the 30 members, the most important aspect of the shed is the social side of things. Secretary Michael Ryan highlights that the shed has a very relaxed atmosphere and a huge emphasis is placed on interacting with one another.

“We are supposed to be making stuff, but usually we are sitting down having a chat. So if someone comes in with their good clothes on, we tell them go up, stick on the kettle and we will all go have a cup of tea. Anything we are making, really, there is no rush with it. The social aspect is bigger in our shed, even more than making things.”

“It is like a pub atmosphere with no alcohol, in that there is a stove that people sit around and they tell stories. We would play a game of cards in the winter for markers, but there is no gambling,” he explains.

“A lot of fellas now are living alone, and this gets them out of the house. If they are feeling low or p****d off, they know if they come to the shed they will meet someone to talk to. The benefit of a Men’s Shed, rather than a club, is that, if it is a golf club, you are only speaking about golf, but with a shed you speak about a variety of things.”

One of the shed’s newest ventures is starting a music group. A lot of the members wanted to learn to play an instrument and other members, who could already play, are now teaching them. They sing and play a range of different music genres at the local nursing home, day-care centre and schools.

Cahir Men’s Shed is at The Stone Building, Abbey Street, Cahir, County Tipperary and is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7pm to 9pm, and Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 1pm. New members are always welcome and further information can be obtained by calling 086 107 6872.