Skibbereen Men’s Shed is looking for a new home after members were told they would no longer be able to use its current base at Liss Ard Estate.

After more than ten years, the organisation is on the lookout for an empty location in the Skibbereen area they can put to use for DIY and community projects.

lan Osborne, a founding member of the Skibbereen group, said: ‘We had a very good, productive time at liss Ard but were recently told that our time there has come to an end.

There is still a core group of members and we’d like to continue in Skibbereen.’

Founded in November 2013 after meetings at the local Family Resource Centre, the Men’s Shed soon attracted new members and expanded its offer.

lan added: We’re hoping to get new members and some new blood, like the phoenix rising from the ashes.’

The Men’s Shed movement first started in Australia in the late 20th century.

Community leaders witnessed older and retired men who experienced social isolation and a decline in their mental health.

Its aim was to bring together men of all ages to share their skills, tools and experiences, under the motto ‘men don’t talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder’.

The Skibbereen group started in a space at the Tower Gate at Liss Ard Estate, before moving to the gate house on the road to Skibbereen.

Over the years members also planted apple trees and vegetables near their historic base, also organising a clean-up of the area.

The current members of the Skibbereen section, of which there are less than ten at this point, have recently been working on an owl box for the benefit of local wildlife. With assistance from Jez Simms, from the local Bird Watch Ireland chapter, the group created the owl box which is now also looking for a new home.

lan said: This is our latest project and it took several months to complete. We used our workshop in Liss Ard and have been in touch with the owners of Innishbeg to see if the box could go there.’

Throughout its colourful history, the Men’s Shed in Skibbereen has worked with many other community groups and produced props and art pieces for various celebrations and occasions.

One such occasion was the 2014 Skibbereen Arts Festival, which saw the group build four traditional Irish curraghs that were donated to the community in a lively ceremony at Steam Mill Quay in the centre of Skibbereen.

On the day, the town was filled with trad music and singing as the curraghs arrived near Field’s car park.

Another highlight in the shed’s history was the restoration of a vintage Harley Davidson motorcycle for St Patrick’s Day parade in 2016, nicknamed the Harley-liab project.

If you are interested in joining the Men’s Shed, or know of a potential new location contact (083) 488 9884 or lan Osborne [email protected]