By Ger Cody
Photos: jbs photos Kilkenny
Men’s sheds, or community sheds, are non-profit local organisations that provide a space for craftwork and social interaction. The movement originated in Australia around the 1980s as a way to improve the health and well being of older men. However some have expanded their remit to anyone regardless of age or gender. There are over 900 located across Australia, with thousands of active members. Men’s sheds can also be found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada, Finland, Estonia, New Zealand and Greece.
The slogan for men’s sheds is ‘shoulder to shoulder, shortened from “men don’t talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder,” adopted after the 2008 Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA) conference.
The users of men’s sheds are known as ‘shedders’. In 2014, Professor Barry Golding coined the term ‘shedagogy’ to describe “a distinctive, new way of acknowledging, describing and addressing the way some men prefer to learn informally in shed-like spaces mainly with other men.”
Sheds as a venue for mentoring other men and inter-generational mentoring is a growing outcome. Academics are using men’s sheds as a research venue and research partner in exploring men’s health and social needs.
And so to Kilkenny. Recently, The Kilkenny Observer received an invitation to visit the Kilkenny Men’s Shed on Church Lane in Kilkenny. To many Kilkenny folk, the location is where the Loreto convent was based. But the history doesn’t stop there. The building was originally a twin towered house in the 18th century, owned by Viscount Clifden and called St James Park House. In 1789 he died and the house was bought by the Roman Catholic Diocese and used as Diocesan College and later known as the Old Academy. In 1868 the Loreto nuns arrived to found a day and boarding school. That building today is in the ownership of The Good Shepherd Centre and their work is legendary.
To the right of the building is the Kilkenny Men’s shed. And if we go back to the fundamental idea of starting such sheds, learning was at the core. So whereas the wonderful nuns in 1868 may not have taken too kindly to a lorry load of men folk traipsing into their grounds, the educational and well being aspect of the project would have received approval.
Established in 2010
The Kilkenny Men’s shed was founded in 2010, and is the longest established shed in Ireland. The project is the brainchild of Ann Jones, who is the coordinator of the Men’s Shed and who had heard of the success of similar projects in Oz, so she was keen to give it a go here. You might say that the seed was sown by Ann and certainly the flower has blossomed.
Ann stressed the importance of the support the men’s shed receives from; The Good Shepherd Centre, HSE, Kilkenny County Council and KLP to name a few.
“One thing that is important to clarify is that the Men’s shed is not just for retired people,” said Ann. “Once you are 18 years or over you would be very welcome,” continued Ann. Men are welcome to drop in any Tuesday from 2pm. The members have extensive skills ranging from woodwork, bicycle repair/upcycling, painting, restoring old furniture, building etc.
Secretary at the Men’s Shed is Pat Glennon. “You could say that my story is similar to most men who are volunteering here,” said Pat. “I arrived here some time back, didn’t know anybody and just fell in love with the place. A Tuesday visit to the shed is now something I look forward to each week.”
One thing that stood out on our visit was the banter that existed amongst the menfolk. It certainly was obvious that a major bond of friendship exists. We spoke to two men from Jordan who are currently working there, having received a recommendation from the volunteer centre in Kilkenny.
Osama Suleiman and Baker Alabed were busy in the timber work shed when we met them. Their first comment was to explain about health and safety. “We are just loving our work here,” Osama said. “It is the kind of work we are used to and it is special for us to come to the shed each Tuesday.” Baker believed that the similarities between the Irish and themselves was huge. He said that “the work ethic is wonderful and we really are having a lot of laughs while still turning out good work.” Both Osama and Baker said that the Tuesday Men’s Shed fills a very important part of their week.
A welcome on the mat
We also met the chairman of the group, Mick Bergin who explained that the Tuesday gathering has become part and parcel of many lives and fills a social gap that may not have existed pre 2010.
“There is a warm and friendly atmosphere here each week,” Mick said. “By our very nature we are not made to be alone, but circumstances sometimes determines this can be the case and people are unsure how to remedy that.” Mr Bergin went on to explain that the Tuesday sessions at the shed prove to be a great outlet with conversations varying from politics to sport to current affairs.
If you or anyone you know would like to join the Shed, please call up any Tuesday afternoon from 2pm. Alternatively you can phone/text them on 085 838 1653 or email kilkenny@menssheds.ie
