Men's Shed seeks new home in Charlestown

Members of Charlestown Men’s Shed are seeking a new home and have written to the Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) for permission to use the local Enterprise Centre.

The Charlestown Men’s Shed, which was established in 2016, currently has 12 members and is based in a room at the back of the CBD Complex. The group had 26 members prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, but a lack of space in its current location and an inability to expand has affected the efforts to attract new members.

Chairman Sean Kenny and treasurer Kevin Higgins said they meet once or twice per week, offering local men a social outlet and a chance to improve their woodwork skills.

Member Brendan Kenny said they are seeking a new premises, preferably a public building, as they have to leave their current one.

“We were based in a storage room but the CBD Complex is back at full capacity again and they want it back now,” he said. “We are trying to get into what was the old vocational school, the Enterprise Centre, which is lying empty since 2020.” 

Mr Kenny said the Charlestown community had the use of the Enterprise Centre and a lot of money was spent on renovations, but the owners, the MSLETB, requested it back for apprenticeship training.

“The MSLETB promised 50 apprenticeships and 20 workers would be in the building, however, during the past four years it has been unused,” he added.

Member Sean Leach said they recently wrote a letter to the chief executive of the MSLETB Tom Grady asking him about the plans for the vacant building as they would gladly take it if it is not being used.

The men said they are awaiting a response and are hopeful a suitable premises can be found in the near future. They said they are available to meet with anyone who has a suitable vacant building in the town.