‘How are bins more important than us?’ — men’s shed in Dublin may lose their space to make way for new bin storage area
A long-standing men’s shed in Rathfarnham is in danger of losing the space it has used in Ballyroan Community Centre for the last 12 years.
South Dublin County Council has unveiled plans to upgrade the community centre, which would see the current space occupied by the men’s shed being converted into a bin storage area.
Alan Long (65), one of 42 members of Ballyroan Men’s Shed, said they were “never consulted about these plans”.
“How are a group of bins more important than us? They consulted the library, the church and everyone in the area about these plans,” he said.
“But the first we heard was when we saw a notice pasted on the walls of the centre. They never came to us, they forgot we were even here.”
The group has an informal arrangement with Ballyroan Library to work out of a small space where visitors to the church, the library and community centre can observe the men at work.
They meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the community centre where they play music, repair furniture and chat with each other. The shed itself is open for members during the library’s working hours.
“We’re one of the oldest men’s sheds in the country,” Mr Long said.
“A lot of the men here are widowers. When we’re done here, they have no one to go home to.
“Some Fridays, they don’t want to leave, they want to sing another song and hang on. It’s a great asset for men our age.
“I can say for sure that it changed my life. I was unwell at work and had to leave. I did not know what to do with myself until I joined the shed.
“There are days when I don’t want to get out of bed but when you come out here and join the boys, you feel like you have a new purpose.”
Paddy Malone (85) lives just 300 metres from the men’s shed. He has been with the club for eight years and works away in the shed nearly every day.
“This shed means an awful lot to me. My wife died about six years back and I have no children,” he said.
“I go days without speaking to anyone, so being able to come out here and spend some time with other people means a lot.
“We’re always told that men withdraw from things as they grow older, I find it’s very easy to fall into that. The men I have met here and these friendships mean a great deal to me.
“I joined the men’s shed when I saw them working away outside the library. That’s why it’s so important for us to stay in this one spot.
“For a lot of us, it’s important to stay visible, for the people of the community to see that we’re out here.”
At an SDCC council meeting earlier this month, management revealed plans to create a new meeting room and reception area at the community centre’s entrance.
Paddy Malone said the men's shed has meant a lot to him. Pic: Steve Humphreys
Senior Executive Officer, Edel Clancy, suggested moving the shed to another location or moving the entrance to accommodate the changes.
“The development of the proposed bin store, to the south of the library storage unit, does not preclude other options for the future use of this space,” she said.
Ms Clancy added that SDCC is willing to explore options with members of the men’s shed as a “separate future project”.
Fianna Fail councillor Yvonne Collins requested the council to allow the men’s shed to stay in its current location and to offer them a larger space to work in.
“When people are coming in and out of the community centre or the church, the men’s shed is there for them to see and it really facilitates an interaction between the men and the community,” she said.
“We risk losing this if they are relocated around the corner or if the entrance is moved. I appreciate the efforts that the council has gone into to try and find an alternative, but it has to remain an open space.”
Jack Roche (77) and Pierce O’Clearig (87) have been with the club since it started back in 2013.
“It was the first time that men from different backgrounds and trades found a space to get together. It drew in elderly people like myself who were at retirement age,” said Mr Roche.
Mr O’Clearig added: “No such thing existed at the time. It was excellent from a social point of view, we were able to have our cups of tea and chat about our lives in a way no one else would have understood.”
Cllr Paddy Cosgrave, who helped set the shed up, said: “We’re negotiating with the council at present and we’re getting some positive responses.
“Hopefully, we will get what the men are asking for.”