From humble beginnings Edenderry Men’s Shed in Co Offaly was established by a group of men in the local area. “We started in 2014, and the first thing we had to do was find premises. We secured a location in the Old Station yard owned by Sean Norman, who is a well-known musician,” says Mick Clancy, assistant treasurer and secretary of the shed.

“Sean was very generous and gave us six months rent-free to get us started. The local businesses helped us greatly too, as we had to start from scratch to get to where we are today.”

Edenderry Men’s Shed now has 18 members. “Our members are mostly retired and wanted somewhere to spend a few hours. We can come and go when we like, there is no clocking in or clocking out,” says Mick.

“Our shed is about friendship. The first thing we do in the morning is have a cup of tea and a chat, then we get to work.”

The shedders have become popular within their local community for providing a valuable service to the locals. “We get a lot of work from people in the area. Small jobs that people can’t get done anywhere else, such as furniture repairs. We do the job for them and they give us donations that go towards covering the cost of the shed, such as rent and insurance,” says Mick.

The members of Edenderry Men’s Shed are a very diverse bunch. “I’m a welder by trade. We have a mixture of tradesmen, but you don’t have to have a trade to join. You can come in and learn, make tea and have a chat,” says Mick

“Some of the lads would come in three or four times a week, Tuesday and Thursdays are our main days, from 10am to 4pm. There is a great spirit in the shed, a great group of men and great craic,” says Mick.

New members are always welcome to drop in. “Anyone is welcome to come in, have a cup of tea and look around, they don’t have to commit – it is their choice.”

For more information, call Mick on 086 1948 179.