In its three-year existence, Mulranny Men’s Shed has gone from strength to strength and is now a driving force in the west Mayo community.

We spoke with Jim Reilly, one of its founding members, who gave an insight into how much work the Men’s Shed does in its community. “We have been very involved in local projects since our set-up” he said.

“We work closely with the Tidy Towns committee and we are always making things like flower boxes and seating for the village. This year Mulranny has been chosen to represent Ireland in the European competition Entente Florale, so we will be busy helping with the preparations for that.”

We hold a coffee morning once a year which has been a success so far. Locals call in after mass and the workshop is packed

Established in February 2016, the group’s first job was the refurbishment of a grotto and working on the Centenary Garden. “We were also tasked with installing the Christmas lights and each year we enter a float in the local St Patrick’s Day parade. This year’s float is a train named the Greenway Express, which is gathering a lot of interest.”

One of the highlights of the year is the coffee morning held in the shed every summer. “We hold a coffee morning once a year which has been a success so far. Locals call in after mass and the workshop is packed, which gives a great chance for us to showcase some of our work.”

True to the ethos of the Irish Men’s Shed Association, the Mulranny shed works to improve and maintain their members’ health and well-being. “It has become an important social outlet for us; just to meet up, have a cuppa and work together,” Jim added.

The group are currently engaged in a local history project which consists of an impressive large-scale, hand-painted map of the Mulranny community which can be seen in the picture above. The project aims to pinpoint place names, historical sites and will also contain local folklore and stories dating back to pre-famine times. The group meet every Tuesday evening at their work shop in the village. If you would like to join or if you want more information contact the shed’s secretary Pat on 087 9120166.

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