Vale of Avoca Men’s Shed came to fruition three years ago when some community members felt that there was a need to cater for retired people and to give them an outlet, explains shed chair Victor O’Shaughnessy.

The shed is situated at the back of the old community hall.

“We are lucky to have use of the premises for free,” says Victor. “We have somewhere for people to do something.” Now the shed has a healthy 17 members. The members have a range of useful skills and there is a good catchment area.

The shed is based on “the principles of old Ireland”, like when you called to a house, sat down, had a cup of tea and a good chat. Values are also very important to the shed, including the importance of honesty, openness, accountability, transparency, equality and inclusion.

“It’s important for us to be there for each other,” Victor explains. He said that although the shed has a “great future”, he wishes more people were interested in getting involved.

He looks forward to meeting up every week and enjoys the craic and banter but insists “we do a good bit of work as well”. Shed members have great pride in themselves and “nothing will be done that’s not done right”. The members have a great passion and they embrace everything wholeheartedly.

The members have done a number of courses from cooking and first aid, to manual handling and wood turning. Victor shares that these give great satisfaction, which is partly down to the fantastic tutors they had with brilliant knowledge.

The shed members like nothing more than sitting down by the fire and having a chat and a cup of tea – notice a trend here?

The shed meets twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 1pm and are always open to new members. For more information contact Victor on 087-944 8821.

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