Secretary of Finglas Men’s Shed Richard Walsh has been involved with the shed since the beginning, having helped to mould the idea for the social set-up into reality. “Dublin City Council approached me about setting up a Men’s Shed. We had a men’s group here in Finglas, which I was involved in, and then it fell apart,” explains Richard. “After that we set up the shed, which has been running for nearly three years now.”

At present, the shedders do not have their own premises – but this is something that they hope to change. “We are located in a building that used to be an all-boys school. The problem is that other people use this premises as well, so we don’t have total control over it.

“It is due for demolition for houses. That is not going to happen any time soon, but it could occur four years down the line – so we hope to have our own building by then, which would enable us to open seven days a week if we wanted.”

Finglas Men’s shed currently opens twice a week for a few hours. “We open on a Wednesday and Friday afternoon from 1:30pm to about 5pm to 6pm. We close up for the day when the men are ready to head back home.”

Finglas Men’s Shed has 15 members – and no two people are the same. “I am a carpenter by trade, but I am retired now. We have two ex-lorry drivers and a bank accountant, our members are a very diverse group.

“We have guys who have never held a hammer and now they are extremely interested in carpentry which I supervise.

“We do woodwork in the shed and are currently repairing chairs for a local, who lives nearby. We also have an interest in photography. One of the members is very good at camera work and he is teaching the rest of the guys how to take a proper photograph.”

New members are always welcome to join Finglas Men’s Shed. For more information, contact Richard on 087 691 4923.