Galbally Men’s Shed back open for tea and business

Galbally Men’s Shed was back open for business last Tuesday, and kindly invited The Avondhu along for tea and scones, and a bit of chat - no DIY skills required!

On their first day back after 18 months, the men were eager to get down to the business of the day - to shoot the breeze, and have a cup of tea; which is, after all, the whole point. The Shed, which is attached to the Community Centre, is heated with a cast iron stove. Painted a bright yellow, the room has a little kitchenette and fridge, where David Richardson is busy on tea-making duties for everyone assembled. Scones are ready, with butter and jam - raspberry or blackcurrant.

The last meeting, he confirms by checking the book, was March 20th, 2020. The lads, at the time, were making flower boxes in preparation for planting. They didn’t know, that when the doors closed, it would be a full two summers later before they’d see them again.

Established in 2017 by the late Joe Moran, the shed is in what was previously the old GAA changing rooms - some of the group remember getting togged out in the same room. Joe, Bill Cussen tells TheAvondhu, was passionate about the project and pushed for the facility to be established. The group has made a seat in memory of Joe, which takes pride of place by the playground.

The assembled group is made up of almost all members from Galbally, with one Ballylanders representative. TheAvondhu is the only representative from Cork on-site - a fact we are not allowed to forget. However, Bill Cussan said we can have Liam MacCarthy back - once the infamous motorway is built!

The first grant the group got was from the JP McManus Fund for a new floor. Since then, Bill tells us, they have gotten ‘great support’ from the community council.

The (very comfortable) chairs were a donation, as was the the machinery they use for any DIY projects. At a national event in Dublin, the group won a defibrillator, which they donated back to the council and this now hangs on the side of the Community Centre.

Members must sign in to a book, and they keep a jar collection for things like milk and biscuits, but have an account in the shop for other items.

As well as the flower boxes, the men had to pause the work they were doing on wooden cribs when they left, but now they’ll be ready for Christmas 2021. One of the cribs has moss on its roof, which is still alive and well after 18 months hibernation.

Conversation is flowing, and an hour in good company covers gluten-free diets, whether everyone can tie their own shoelaces, and the downfalls of ankle socks. Gossip is alive and well too - but the reader must remain in the dark on the details (if The Avondhu is to be invited back again)!

Galbally Men’s Shed is open on Tuesdays from 10.30am until 4pm, and sometimes outside of that (when there’s a job to be done). Anyone is welcome to drop in, and any enquiries can be made to David Richardson (087 3978950) or Bill Cussen (087