Sligo Men’s Shed Work With SDC

Thirteen years ago a group of Sligomen met to discuss starting a Men’s Shed in the town. Those first meetings were held in the Family Life Centre on the Mall, but it soon became clear that if the idea was to develop, a permanent premises would be needed. Enter Fr. Tom Hever, who told the men about derelict sheds and outhouses behind the Presbytery in Summerhill.

Eventually the men were given license to use the sheds and set about the not inconsiderable task of restoring and renovating the site. The work included complete clearing of the bramble-choked garden areas as well as substantial repair and refurbishment of the sheds themselves. One of the sheds was transformed from a bare stone-walled space into a fully kitted-out kitchen. The other sheds now house woodworking tools and machinery as well as all sorts of interesting odds and ends just waiting for a new life!

The ’Shedders” have been the driving force behind many community projects all around Co.  Sligo. The list of activities is endless and includes considerable work with primary schools and public parks, making and installing play areas, flower gardens, window boxes and raised beds so children can grow their own, making and refurbishing park seating and designing and making “Buddy Benches” for schools and public areas. Indeed there are Sligo Men’s Shed “Buddy Benches” in schools and communities from Donegal to Cork.  The Sligo “Shedders” built and installed the model sailing ship at Rosses Point and for over ten years they have been responsible for installing the Christmas Crib in the Cathedral.

The members of the Shed are from all walks of life and have all sorts of skills. It’s not all about woodworking – “I can’t drive a nail into a piece of timber!” says Jim Middleton, one of the original founders of Sligo Men’s Shed. All sorts of activities go on, from gardening, both outdoors and in the polytunnels, to music in their specially constructed Music Room, from charity and community work such as relief collections for Ukraine and recently running a Barbeque for the residents of Nazareth House, to cooking demonstrations and outings!

Currently, among other things, Sligo Men’s Shed are working with another Sligo community  group, Sligo Drama Circle, to make parts of the set for the upcoming production of Oscar Wilde’s comedy of Manners, “The Importance of Being Earnest”. Director, Máire Hynes, is delighted that the Men’s Shed is involved. “I’m absolutely bowled over by the skill and efficiency of the men”, she says. “Their generosity and enthusiasm for the project knows no bounds, and, to be honest, having the Men’s Shed in our corner has made life much easier for us as we put the production together”.

In common with many community groups Sligo Men’s Shed saw a falling off of members as a direct result of the Covid pandemic and are now actively looking for new members. There are no qualifications or skills needed, just a willingness to get “stuck in”. Indeed this is an ideal place to learn new skills and to pass on any skills you may have yourself. But mostly it’s a place to meet people and be sociable.  Sligo Men’s Shed is located behind St. Mary’s Presbytery on Temple Street, Eircode F91WN6F. The Shed is open from 11am to 2 every day and anyone who is interested in having a look around is invited to pop up any day, where a warm welcome awaits you.