Shed of the Week: Carrigaline Men's Shed

The Carrigaline Men’s Shed became the 29th shed in Ireland after a committee gathered in 2012. Three members went down to a presentation which was given in Middleton on Men’s Sheds and came back convinced to set up one in Carrigaline.

The majority of the 50 members are pensioners but Barry Cogan, shed chair, says the members are “very active” and “they’re up for doing projects”.

These active members are busy renovating farm machinery and are soon to start work on a 1960 Ford tractor and a horse-drawn corn drill which is about 100 years old.

The choir meets every Tuesday morning and they have performed in retirement homes, nursing homes, churches, hospitals and at concerts.

There are many musicians amongst the members. A new purpose-built shed is in construction at the moment and is almost ready to go.

This new shed will have a fitted kitchen, a space for woodwork activities, accessible toilets with a wet room and a library for a place to relax with a book or the paper. The new shed is located in the heart of Carrigaline, central to everything with car parking and overlooking a lovely pond.

Members have been doing what they can themselves including the plumbing and painting.

The shed has a polytunnel which is divided up into 16 plots for 16 men to tend to and grow their own produce.

The polytunnel has proven so successful that the shed is looking at getting a second one.

Members also enjoy social outings, with the most recent one a visit to Belfast on the train and they host social occasions like summer barbecues and a Christmas party. Barry shared that they “keep an eye out for those missing”, check in on them and encourage them to come along and to be involved.

The shed is open six days a week from 10am-4pm at Waterpark, Church Road, Carrigaline, Co Cork.

New members are always welcome at the shed. To find out more contact Barry Cogan at 087-813 7990.