Carrigaline Men’s Shed Official Opening
Carrigaline Men’s Shed Official Opening
Photos courtesy Brian Lougheed @thecork.ie
Words: Barry Cogan
The Carrigaline Men’s Shed was officially opened jointly by Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn, Tánaiste Micheal Martin TD and Minister for Finance Michael Mc Grath TD on Saturday last July 8th. The 4,000 sq ft building at Waterpark was jointly blessed by Monsignor Aidan O’Driscoll Co PP VG and Canon Elaine Murray. The 200 plus representative gathering in the open air on a beautiful sunny afternoon were warmly welcomed by the Men’s Shed Chairman Barry Cogan. Barry gave a brief synopsis of their Men’s Shed history from the day in the late 2011 when Carrigaline men Paddy Dineen, Gary Kelly and Barry travelled to the SECAD headquarters in Midleton to hear John Evoy the CEO of the Irish Men’s Shed Association which was formed earlier that year. John Evoy gave an inspirational address on the starting of new Men’s Sheds. The men agreed on the way home that starting a Men’s Shed in Carrigaline was a possibility. At a meeting in the GAA club in December 2011 the Carrigaline Shed was registered No 29 in Ireland. In February 2012 the Men’s Shed moved to a former site office of builder Stephen Mc Carthy of Astra Construction in Kilnagleary at no cost to them.
The Men’s Shed committee sought a permanent home and moved to their current location in a prefab on a central site leased from Cork County Council in 2017. They planned and designed their own purpose-built 4,000 sq ft Shed which they built over the past five years. Barry thanked all the professionals who gave of their services pro bono, Aidan Winters Project Manager, Consultants John Clery Developments, Jim Kelly & Associates, Matt O’Mahony Safety, Michael Leneghan Electrical and Colm O’Rourke solicitor. Barry said the Men’s Shed were so appreciative of the wonderful generous support the Shed received from local individuals, business, industry and the public at large at their various fundraisers. The Shed got funding from Cork County Council, Department of Rural Affairs, SECAD, HSE and CETB.
An Tánaiste Micheál Martin was full of praise for the members of the Carrigaline Men’s Shed on their vision and achievements. He spoke on the valuable part Men’s Sheds play in our communities. Minister Michael Mc Grath acknowledged the attendance of so many public representatives, representatives of public bodies and was delighted to see so many from local clubs and organisations in the community also represented. He congratulated the Carrigaline Men’s Shed on their wonderful achievement and on what they do for the community. Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn said Cork County Council were very supportive of Men’s Sheds and were pleased to be able to provide a site on lease and grant aid to the Carrigaline Men’s Shed. Chairman of the Irish Men’s Shed Association, Eamonn O’Connor, from Rostrevor, Co Down thanked the Government for the recognition given to the IMSA and the financial support they received in the budget framed by Minister for Finance Michael Mc Grath TD. He said Rostrevor has the second best Shed in the 32 counties, Carrigaline was the best. Then the Carrigaline Men’s Shed was jointly blessed by Monsignor Aidan O’Driscoll Co PP VG and Conon Elaine Murray.
Public representatives in attendance were Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn, An Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Finance Michael Mc Grath TD, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, Cllr Audrey Buckley Chairperson Carrigaline Municipal District, Cllr Séamus Mc Grath, Cllr Ben Dalton O’Sullivan and Cllr Jack White. Also in attendance were Chairman Carrigaline Community Association Michael Wall, SECAD CEO Ryan Howard and Vice Chairman Tim Hoban, CETB Kieran Lynch, HSE Eleanor Moore, Damien Craven President Carrigaline Lions Club, Camden Fort Meagher and Robertscove Vintage Festival.
Irish Men’s Shed Association were represented by Chairman Eamonn O’Connor and CEO Enda Egan. Present were current members, former members, widows of deceased members, and representatives from many other Men’s Sheds. There were representatives from practically every club and association in Carrigaline in what was a truly wonderful community occasion.
The Men’s Shed Choir gave a short recital under Musical Director Dr Elizabeth Scott Hall. All present were treated to hospitality and given guided tours of the Men’s Shed. Apologies were received from Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Simon Coveney TD who was so disappointed to miss the opening due to a Government commitment in Ardnacrusha, Co Clare. A nice feature of the day was the music of the Carrigaline Pipe Band to greet the visitors as they arrived and the performance of the Men’s Shed choir at the end of the proceedings.
New members and visitors are always welcome.
Enquiries Roger Morrissey 087 220 3547.
