New workshop addition for Slane Men’s Shed group

The Slane and District Men's Shed has recently opened a new metal working room, adding to the wonderful facilities they have provided over the last few years.

Not content with their already well equipped activity centre, in the past year they have added the new workshop.

The new premises is a 1,500 ft building designed and built by the members themselves. It is very well equipped to carry out, in safety, all the usual metal work activities such as welding, soldering, cutting, drilling and various projects.

It is a testament to the efforts of the members to create an attractive venue for older men.

“Most important of all” says Pat Doyle, secretary and co-founder, “We have a superb metalwork leader in local man Thomas Woodward who has a lifetime of experience, is a metal genius and a truly likeable and patient tutor.

“Of course, we also appreciate the agreement and advice from landlord Noel Monaghan to its construction”

While based in Slane, the Shed is open to all older men from all the surrounding parishes. The shed is open five days a week with a very wide range of activities.

“We are back at full speed following the Covid disruption” says co-founder and committee member Bill Connolly.

Ongoing activities include woodwork, metalwork, health mindfullness and wellbeing, art, music, fitness, group walks and trips, games (pool, bowls, table tennis, cards) and most importantly, tea drinking and chat.

Occasional courses have included: healthy cookery, photography, computers/IT and First Aid/CPR.

“We are very lucky to have a very good range of tutors for woodwork, metalwork, wellness, art, music, either in house or provided by LMETB” says another co-founder, Dermot Caldwell.

“Our activities and developments have been greatly supported by Meath Co Council Community and Arts Depts, LMETB, Meath Partnership, HSE and by many sponsors/ contributors, including MCM Engineering, Panda/Spanners and Ballymagarvey Village”, says another co-founder and treasurer, Rory Gould.

Slane Men’s Shed is a great asset to the wider area for helping tackle social isolation and allowing older men to actively participate in the local community.

Men’s Sheds are community based projects where men come together to learn, share skills and just to catch up with one another.

The pandemic was a huge blow to Men’s Sheds across the country and social isolation and loneliness made it a difficult time for many in our community, particularly older people. Thankfully they are now back to their normal activities.

Slane Men's Shed are urging anyone with a bit of spare time to drop in and join them, where they will receive a warm welcome.

Anyone interested in joining can also call Pat 087 2445246.