Blackrock Men's Shed

The Blackrock Men's Shed, part of the Irish Men's Shed Association (IMSA) was founded in 2015 and accommodated initially in Union Hall, Blackrock. Members come from many backgrounds and have a wide range of interests, skills and knowledge. Activities are chosen by members.

in 2019 we were delighted to lay the foundations of our own purpose built Shed in Rockfield Park thanks to the support and generous funding provided by DLRCC. The building itself is a steel structure with electricity and mains water. Solar panels provide us with most of our energy. Inside we have a social area including a kitchen, a toilet and a workshop equipped with DIY equipment and associated facilities. Outside, we have a tool shed.

While COVID stalled development for some time, in recent years membership has expanded and engagement within the community has increased.

Club activities are based on member interests.  Examples of what we do currently include

• Regular ‘catch ups’ between members over cups of tea, lively discussions and exchanges about life experiences. Sometimes members come just to be in the presence of others.
• Board Games including Rummikub and Chess are played weekly.
• Gardening; we built a greenhouse and developed and maintain 5 raised vegetable beds. The current crop includes tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, herbs, potatoes, carrots, beans and flowers.
• Woodworking is very popular and we are fortunate to have skilled members who are always willing to show others who wish to learn. We’ve made phone holders for a local charity, a Crucifix for local Church and a Crib for nearby School. A Totem Pole and Birdhouse, modelled on the August Masters Clubhouse,  in our front garden create a great source of conversation to passers by.  At the request of the local Tidy Towns group, we recently made a Community Library now available in the Park.
• Creativity; members interested in Art meet weekly and examples of their paintings and drawings are on permanent display in the Shed.
• Wellbeing; geared towards improving and maintaining mobility, we’re currently midway through a course of a weekly exercise run by a qualified instructor and funded by Age and Opportunity. In the past we’ve had a number of talks about Mental Health run by professionals.
• Social outings. We’ve visited Croke Park Museum, played Croquet in Wicklow,

The Blackrock Men's Shed is open for general activities on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and for Art on Wednesdays between 10.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. New Members or those wishing to find out more about the Shed are very welcome. We can be contacted by email at blackrockmensshed@outlook.com or voicemail 085 983 0147. You may also drop in during any of the times noted above.