The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Improvements on way for Kerry Men’s Sheds
OVER €17,000 is to be divided between 11 Men’s Sheds in Kerry, thanks to funding from the Department of Rural & Community Development. The funds will now be used to purchase essential machinery and to make necessary improvements to shed infrastructure.
The spike in interest in Men’s Sheds in Kerry in recent years has created a valuable social outlet for hundreds of men throughout the county. Each shed makes its own unique contribution to the social fabric of the community as men get involved in making various items such as park benches; and bird, bee and bat boxes as part of important conservation projects. Most of the sheds in Kerry received an average of €1,500, with the highest bursary (€2,000) going to Killarney and Barraduff Men’s Shed for rewiring and tiling works.
In north Kerry, Men’s Sheds in Ballybunion, Ballyduff and Ballyheigue received €1,500 each for a roller door and basic refurbishments. Tralee Men’s Shed received funding for woodworking supplies and equipment, while Dingle gets €1,600 to install new toilet facilities. The KC Men’s Shed in Castlemaine will now be able to purchase a new computer, printer and make repairs to a portakabin, thanks to the injection of money. Moreover, sheds in Cahersiveen, Kenmare and Sneem will replace doors and windows, buy a printer and social activity equipment.
Men’s Sheds are classified as charity organisations and must generate revenue through their own projects and ideas. With over 310 Men’s Sheds nationally, Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring TD announced an allocation of €500,000 under the Men’s Sheds stream of the Community Enhancement Programme. This initiative was developed in association with the Irish Men’s Sheds Association.
Irish Men’s Sheds Association (ISMA) CEO Barry Sheridan welcomed the funding, saying he was extremely heartened by the take-up and response to the Men’s Shed fund among its member sheds.
“We were delighted to be able to work with the Department of Rural and Community Development to bring this fund to fruition, and I know that the support of Minister Ring and his Department means a lot to our members,” he said.