Since it was set up in 2015, Oranmore Men’s Shed has grown enormously. Shed secretary Terry Burke, who has been involved since the shed’s inception, explains that they started out with five members and now have 22.

Members of this Galway Men’s Shed are always keeping busy. Last spring they visited the Museum of Country Life in Castlebar and are planning a trip to the Dáil in the coming weeks. Recently, they went on a foraging adventure in the foothills of the Sleive Aughty Mountains, looking for wild mushrooms.

Under the expert guidance of shed member Louis, who is a retired chef and lecturer at the catering school in GMIT, they learned about a whole host of edible and inedible mushrooms, before returning home to cook some of what they picked.

In terms of everyday activities, Terry outlines that woodworking is a huge part of what they do in the shed, and members like to make sure their work benefits the local community. “Our main activity is woodworking, we have done planters for the local tidy towns, we laid flower beds for the national school and made buddy benches.”

Terry highlights that being a member of the Men’s Shed is a very positive experience and, as their shed takes in a wide area around Oranmore, it is a good way to meet new people.

“I think the main thing the members take from the Men’s Shed is companionship and the camaraderie, it is a great place to meet and talk. I think everyone finds it to be a valuable resource. The three mornings each week people really enjoy it.”

The shed is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10.30am to 1pm. The group can be found on Facebook by searching Oranmore Men’s Shed and can be contacted on email at oranmore@menssheds.ie. The address of the shed is c/o Oranmore Development Association, Main Street, Oranmore, Co Galway. New members are always welcome.