Limerick men’s shed fear they won’t have a roof over their heads

MEMBERS of a men’s shed in Limerick fear they won’t have a roof over their heads in the future.

Doon and District Men’s Shed, which is “a vital social outlet for men”, is located in the old girls’ secondary school in the village.

A €9m investment is planned to turn the building into a mother and child reconciliation programme for young mums who have experienced substance abuse in the past.

The men’s shed received a letter from Ballyhoura Rural Services (BRS) stating that they were terminating the lease due to a number of reasons.

“The effective date of the lease termination is 5pm, Friday, November 24, 2023 from which point BRS will require vacant possession of the property.

Notwithstanding same, the board is happy to continue supporting the men's shed group in terms of identifying alternative accommodation either on campus or off campus,” read the letter.

Pakie O’Brien, former chairman and a founding member, said: “One man actually cried when he got the news”.

A statement on behalf of Doon Men’s Shed was sent to the Leader on Monday, saying the news was “shocking and hugely disappointing to the members of the shed and the community”.

“It was formed in 2017 following a community survey of possible future uses of the convent property carried out by Doon Community Council. We moved into the convent property in January 2018, when the convent was still owned by the Sisters of Mercy. The space provided the men’s shed to grow from the initial eight members to over 50 now and continuing to grow,” reads the statement.

It outlines that they meet most days and is “a vital social outlet for men in Doon and surrounding areas”.

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They have made mud kitchens for crèches, raised beds for schools, bug motels for tidy towns, garden furniture for the social farm in Doon and bird, bat boxes and owl boxes.

“One of the main benefits of the men’s shed is for the mental health of its members. For many it is their only social outlet to meet other people. It is a safe space for men to discuss their problems and challenges.

“BRS have offered a number of alternative locations but when the members reviewed them, all bar the current location would lead to the demise of the shed due to lack of space, lack of facilities or financial burden.

“Because of the expressed intention of BRS, the future of Doon and District Men’s Shed is in considerable jeopardy and in all likelihood the shed will cease to exist at 5pm on November 24. We would request the board of BRS to reconsider their decision and continue to facilitate the Men’s Shed at its current venue,” reads the statement.

The Leader contacted BRS on receipt of the statement. BRS chairman John Walsh said they are working with the men’s shed and will give a different lease for a further 12 months.

“That will give us breathing space to find alternative accommodation. We have offered them eight alternatives on and off-site.

"There is nobody being evicted - the letter only went out because the lease is up,” said Mr Walsh, who wished to assure the men’s shed that BRS is very supportive of them and of their importance to the locality.

He said they will review in 12 months and if it doesn’t look like work is about to start on the mother and child reconciliation programme they could extend it again.

However, Mr Walsh said the men’s shed will have to move at some point in the future due to plans for the building.

Minister for State Niall Collins and Cllr Martin Ryan said Doon and District Men’s Shed is a great local institution, giving local men a place to belong and provides friendship and company.

They say that hopefully agreement will be reached to allow them to remain in situ and continue with their activities. Mr Collins and Mr Ryan said they will be advocating on their behalf.