When Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Men’s Shed in Co Clare was set up four years ago, the founding members wanted to make joining the shed attractive and give structure to the new venture.

Chair Tim Scanlon explains that to do this they decided to run different courses, to ensure they had continuity, so people stayed with them and had a reason to come back.

“The Adult Education Board gave us tuition hours. They sent a tutor out to us two nights a week for 10-week blocks. We did mostly practical things, like stained glass and woodwork. They were very interesting classes. Stained glass was something people didn’t have a whole pile of knowledge on, so members were fascinated by it.”

Since then the shed has extended to incorporate a number of other ventures and is a prime example of how a Men’s Shed can make a difference to a local community. Members made bat and bird boxes for a local bog walk, ran a Christmas Craft Fair at Sixmilebridge Mart and undertake fitness classes, as well as restoring pews from a nearby church. “These seats had been block painted at one stage, they were pitch pine, lovely seats when they were restored, but they had been coated with gloss paint.”

The majority of the 25 members of Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Men’s Shed are retired and the shed also has two members that are Syrian refugees. Being part of the group has helped these men settle into the locality and all the members do various activities.

“Some people like to be involved in the timber work, others just want to play cards and a few want to chat about the match that was on at the weekend. Of course the cup of tea is the most common thing that everyone will sit around for.”

Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Men’s Shed is located at The Court House, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, and is open Tuesdays from 7pm to 9pm. New members are always welcome and further information can be obtained by calling 087 667 2566.