THE BIG READ: Tullamore Men's Shed proud to be giving back to the community

'GREAT craic, the laugh and the companionship!”

These are the elements retired builder, Tom Power values most about Tullamore Men's Shed, a thriving community based organisation providing a vital service to local men and the wider community in the Offaly county town and the surrounding area.

Tom has been a member of the Men's Shed for six years and admitted it was “great to have a place to go during the day”.

Tom's comments were echoed by other members of the Shed the Tribune met one Friday morning recently in their snug kitchen at the rear of the former Charleville National School on Henry St.

Jason Cutler, also a member of the Shed for six years, said he would have “been lost only for this place” after he was forced to retire from his job as a chef due to ill-health.

Dubliner Derek Ball, who lost his wife five years ago, said the Shed “gives him a reason to get up in the morning.”

Stressing the mental health benefits of the Shed, Derek also revealed he had learned new skills such as woodwork since he joined.

Talented carpenter, Tommy Prendergast, a member for four years, pointed out it was great to come to the Shed “talk to the lads and get my problems off my chest.”

Youth worker, Tom Finnerty, from nearby Rahan, played an instrumental role in the development of the Men's Shed in its early days in 2016.

Tom heard Men's Sheds being talked about nationally and locally and thought “it would be great to get something like that set up in Tullamore.”

After a 15 month search the Men's Shed pioneers eventually found a premises at the old Charleville National School thanks to the generosity of the local Church of Ireland community.

Tom said the Church and its members have been extremely helpful to the Shed since its early days when it literally started with nothing.

The first task of the members of the fledgling organisation was to make their new premises secure and to tackle the overgrown vegetation which had virtually taken control over the prefab.

Tom said they received help from various local businesses, particularly Tullamore Steel and Expert Electrical which was invaluable to their work.

They also secured an old kitchen “left in a pile outside Kilbeggan”, restored it and it is now the hub of the Shed where meals are prepared for members each day. It is also the nerve centre of the Shed where the men gather for a cuppa, a chat and a bit of slagging.

“In the early days we did an awful lot with no money but we spent a lot of time trying to get the place right,” recalled Tom.

'We didn't even have a table and chairs,” he added but once these were secured they became the centre around which the vital activities of the Shed revolved.

Members of the local community also provided some donations and eventually the organisation secured small grants from Offaly Local Development Company and the HSE.

As it became established the Shed developed an impressive workshop where members, many of them talented in carpentry, produce a wide array of high quality goods ranging from garden furniture and ornaments to flower boxes and benches.

Members also help out, on a confidential basis, people in the local community, in particular the elderly, who require odd jobs to be carried out at their homes or gardens.

“It's great to to able to give back to the community,” stressed Tom Finnerty who added: “It keeps us busy and there is a feel good factor as well.”

The group also works hand in glove with the Society of St Vincent de Paul and local community groups.

The Shed provides work experience for students involved with the National Learning Network and the Justice Project for young people.

One of the club's stalwarts from its early days has been legendary Offaly footballer, Willie Bryan who remains deeply involved in the activities of the Shed.

During the Covid pandemic the normal life of the Men's Shed came to a halt due to Government restrictions but thankfully the group has bounced back and is now in a healthier state than ever.

One of the most emotional experiences for members in the club's existence was their work on creating a bench which they carried down and placed at the memorial to the late Ashling Murphy on the banks of the Grand Canal just outside the town in Cappincur.

Music lessons are also provided and some members are currently learning to play the ukulele.

The Shed is open six days a week, Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 3.30pm, though the hours are not strictly enforced.

Membership for the year is just €20 and meals are provided each day for a small charge.

“We're not in the business of making money,” stressed Tom Finnerty who pointed out that the Shed's primary role is to provide a vital social outlet for members.

He also praised local councillor Ken Smollen who he revealed provides the Shed with much needed supplies. “What we don't need we give out to people in need,” revealed Tom.

However there have been setbacks in the short history of Tullamore Men's Shed the most heart breaking of which occurred three years ago when the premises was broken into and €3,000 worth of tools and equipment stolen.

“But people in Tullamore were great . . . they gave us donations . . . ordinary people came in from the street.”

Tom added that the members were all committed to the work of the Shed and he paid tribute to the late John Hoey, who passed away from a heart attack in the Shed, and whose photograph is in a position of honour on the kitchen wall.

The Shed's door is always opens to new members and people can pop down to their headquarters in the old Charleville School, entry via a gateway on Church Road, or contact Tom Finnerty at 087 7426297.