In the seaside town of Ballybunion, Co Kerry, the year is clearly divided into halves: summer and winter. It was identified some years ago that when summer ended and the tourist season ceased, there was a definite need in the community for the void left by the tourist trade to be filled. Enter the Men’s Shed.

“Ballybunion is a very seasonal place, a small seaside resort,” says Patrick Cummins, shed chair. “After the Listowel Races in September, the town kind of closes down until Easter. So there was a need for something locals could do during the summer and the winter.”

Since being set up in 2012, Ballybunion Men’s Shed has gone from strength to strength. It has attracted members from across the locality and now has a strong core group of over 30 men. The shed has proven to be popular with all ages, boasting members from those in their early 20s, right up to men who are “a little more senior”.

The Men’s Shed in Ballybunion is very involved in the local community and has close links to Tidy Towns, helping out through their various projects. Along with constantly making flower boxes, window boxes and bird boxes, shed members also undertake bigger projects, such as making artificial Christmas trees.

As well as providing a place to meet and socialise, Ballybunion Men’s Shed offers a further attraction to males in the locality: its pool table. Housed in a separate room in the shed, the pool table is a great way for members to kick back and relax, Patrick explains.

Recently, the shed hosted a mobile men’s health check unit. Thirty members took part in the health check and they all agreed that it was very beneficial and eye-opening. Going forward, the shed is planning to hold even more events like this.

Ballybunion Men’s Shed welcomes new members and is open from Monday to Friday, 10am to 1.30pm at Saint Joseph’s Old School, East End, Ballybunion, Co Kerry. Contact Patrick Cummins on 087 656 6507 or Dan O’Sullivan on 087 234 2593.