About Shed
February 2020
LBS (Loughlinstown,Ballybrack and Shanganagh) Men’s Shed would be best described as a social shed. It is based in a local housing estate in Ballybrack and is definitely different than most sheds. For one, it has younger members attending than most sheds have. Mark Larkin says they have men who are 23 years of age up to 70 years and because of where they are based they can catch some of their younger members. This definitely sets the LBS Men’s Shed apart from the others particularly at shed gatherings where most members would be older.
The shed carries out work in the local area, they do a bit of painting and have a garden that they look after. They don’t have a workshop where they can work with tools which is one of the reasons for the social aspect of the shed. This year Mark and the shedders in LBS held an open trad night fundraiser, a first for the shed. As a shed they do different fundraisers every year. They’ve abseiled in Dalkey quarry, rolled down the river Liffey.
A member of the shed approached Mark with the idea of raising money for Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). One of the founding members of the shed had a son who died aged 14 from SADS. Fundraising is at the heart of this particular shed with Mark describing it as a shed that wants to give back. There’s no doubting the shredders’ commitment here, with thousands raised over the years for the likes of the local lions club and other great causes. The latest LBS fundraiser was a huge success, with the shed raising €1,300.
The shed brought people back to their roots with some trad music, with a twist. While the shed has run trad nights before this one was quite different with an open trad night. People from the area were invited who can play an instrument to get on stage and do a few songs. They had a brilliant response from people, raising €1,310 in raffle tickets alone which was amazing. Through their last four fundraisers they have raised over €10,000 for good causes. New members are always welcome and for further information please see contacts listed or alternatively you can contact IMSA on 01 8916150