In 1861, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert embarked on a four-day visit to Killarney. The Queen and her party were lavished with all the luxury Kerry could muster.

Killarney continues to bask in the afterglow of that August visit. Victoria’s visit lit the touchpaper on the Irish tourist industry as we know it today, and the Co Kerry town has never looked back.

As far as we’re aware, none of the 45 Men’s Sheds members who touched down in Killarney on 4 November are of royal lineage. That, however, did not prevent the people, businesses and hoteliers of Killarney from rolling out the red carpet.

The Men’s Sheds members arrived at the invitation of Haven Pharmacy, the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce (which organised all accommodation, completely free of charge), the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the trustees of Muckross House.

They’d come to tackle the spread of invasive rhododendron, which continues to blight Killarney National Park despite ongoing and strenuous efforts to keep it under control. Last year’s Men’s Sheds expedition cleared a significant acreage of the dreaded shrub, and all parties were more than willing to take up the cudgels once more.

Twenty-three sheds were represented at the cull.

Members descended upon Killarney from locations as diverse as Toome, Waterford city, Dunboyne and Abbeyfeale. Upon arrival on Sunday 4 November, the intrepid rhodo-battlers were feted at Muckross Park Hotel.

Kerry MEP Sean Kelly, who recently presented the Irish Men’s Sheds Association with the European Citizens’ Prize, was on-hand to welcome members to the Kingdom.

“I’ve been told,” said Sean, “that this trip was well over-subscribed, which just shows the attitude and the positivity of Men’s Sheds members, so many of whom want to come here to do tough enough work that’s of huge benefit to the environment and to Killarney generally.”

Michael Gleeson then welcomed members to Killarney, on behalf of the Municipal District Council and the trustees of Muckross House.

“Men’s Sheds members daily enhance and inspire,” he said, “the shed movement has changed lives, has re-energised communities and has taught us that no-one is ever too old or too untalented to do good for self and for others.”

After a further welcome from Haven’s Finbarr Kennelly and a briefing from Tim Cahillane of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, members were ready to join the battle at a location near the iconic Torc waterfall the following morning.

Monday morning brought a sight to gladden the heart in troubled times. Beneath the autumnal forest canopy, shading from green to russet-red to brown and gold, dozens of men’s sheds members, smartly decked out in Haven Pharmacy hi-vis, filed up the gentle slopes.

The air was soon filled with the gentle thwack of hatchet on wood, the brittle crack of loose twigs trampled underfoot, and the good-natured badinage of men from the four corners of Ireland forging bonds of friendship.

Fortified by lunch at the spectacular Muckross House, the Men’s Shed contingent sallied forth to tackle the rhododendrons again in the afternoon, before attending a lively social evening at Killarney Men’s Shed. Despite heavy rainfall, the members took to the park again on Tuesday, before departing on Wednesday morning.

Barry Sheridan, CEO of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, said: “Once again in 2018, this has been an amazing experience. We can’t thank Haven Pharmacy, Killarney Chamber, the hotels and the trustees of Muckross House enough”.

IMSA chair Eoin Martyn summed up the sentiments of the week: “This just shows the attitude and commitment our members have to doing good for the community. We hope they’re going home as proud of themselves as we are of them.”