Beginning with only four members, Kilmacrenan Men’s Shed has come a long way since those early days. “I have been a member of the shed since the beginning. It was originally set up in 2014 and we started off with four members. Now we have 70,” says Michael McFadden, sectary of Kilmacrenan Men’s Shed.

“Kilmacrenan is a small town located five or six miles outside Letterkenny in Co Donegal. We were.0 building up the shed and had to fundraise. The shed is an old cottage in the middle of the village, so we had plenty of restoration to do in the shed to get it to the standard that it is at now. We have it almost complete, but I suppose you are never really finished,” laughs Michael.

The members of Kilmacrenan Men’s Shed indulge in a range of on-goings that has cemented their place in the local community. “We have a woodwork area, we would do wood turning and we manufacture small bits of furniture. We liaise with Tidy Towns and would get involved with tidy-ups around Kilmacrenan. The shed is very much part of the community.”

Like other Men’s sheds around the country, mental health is a priority within the social set-up.

“The whole ethos of Men’s Sheds is geared towards improving the mental health of older people, predominantly those men who are over 50. Mental health is important to our shed, and it gives people an outlet: somewhere to go and a safe and secure meeting place, where they can socialise and make new friends.”

Kilmacrenan Men’s Shed has welcomed an array of people into their establishment. “Most of our members are retired. They are from all walks of life and different religions. We don’t discriminate in any way, and new members are always welcome to join.

“We open on a Tuesday and Thursday night from 7:30pm until whatever time people go home, usually around 10:30pm.”

If you would like more information on Kilmacrenan Men’s Shed, visit their Facebook page or contact Michael on 086 253 9511.