Leitrim Men’s Sheds to benefit from funding boost

An additional €250,000 of renewed funding has been announced for the Irish Men’s Shed Association. The Irish Men’s Shed Association provides a highly valuable space for men to come together, share skills, socialise and work on projects together.

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke TD announced the good news. This highly welcomed initiative acknowledges the contributions of the Irish Men's Sheds to their communities and their positive impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of members.

Deputy Frank Feighan, Sligo-Leitrim TD has welcomed the announcement.

“The initiative to fund the Men’s Shed organisation was introduced by myself when I was Minister, and I am delighted to see Minister Burke continue the programme for funding.

“I believe the work done locally by the men’s shed is immeasurable in terms of the mental health and well-being of so many men of a certain age group.

“I want to encourage men to look at what the men’s shed do in terms of activities and consider joining their local group, they will certainly make new friends, develop new skills and may find a fresh outlook in life and ultimately it will benefit their mental health and wellbeing,” concluded Deputy Feighan.

There are currently seven men’s sheds in County Leitrim. These are in Carrick-on-Shannon, Mohill, Kinlough, Ballinamore, Aughavas, Killenummery and North Leitrim (Manorhamilton).

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Willie Crangle from the bustling Men’s Shed in Carrick-on-Shannon commented on the renewed funding and expressed optimism about advancing the shed's initiatives.

“We take what we can get,” Willie said. 

“It’s great to be able to get that funding in the first place.

“We’re continuously upgrading here. We just upgraded a full electrical rewire within the shed. Going forward, we’re trying to adapt to more comfortable surroundings, especially for the winter.

“Ninety percent of our members are between 70 and mid eighties so we try to make it as comfortable as possible,” Willie explained.

The Carrick-on-Shannon Men’s Shed have been extremely active in the community, working with local schools and community groups like Tidy Towns. In July, the Shed donated three woodworking projects to Scoil Mhuire.

The group mainly carry out woodworking, creating a variety of objects such as bird boxes, window boxes and planters.

Willie hopes to broaden the Shed's activities and introduce even more creative opportunities for its members.

“We want to try to incorporate some arts if we can get there. We have to try to employ an arts teacher to come in and do a course for some of the members,” Willie said.

“We had a woodworking artist come in for a ten week period and give lessons. We’re continuously trying to expand and get the lads to do something.”

However, the Men’s Shed is not just focused on building projects; it also offers a space for men to relax and socialise with one another.

“We have a TV and people can sit down and just have a conversation. We let our members find their own way and then we might give them a course on what machines they can use or we might do some bird boxes and planters and get them to paint them.

The group currently sees an average of eight to ten new members a year and are always looking for more to join.

“We’ve seen an awful lot of men that come into the shed, extremely quiet, and after a while you can see the difference. 

“They think when they come in that tradesmen can do the work but anybody can do it if they’re trained,” Willie said.

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The Carrick-on-Shannon Men’s Shed exemplifies the vital role these sheds play across the county in enhancing the well-being of men. With ongoing support, Men’s Sheds in County Leitrim and beyond are set to grow their activities and bring even more benefits to their members.