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Carn Men's Shed a beacon of hope
25.09.15
MEN who lost their jobs
in the construction industry in Carndonagh have made
a huge success of a project set up to provide a
social outlet and retraining for them.
The Men’s Shed Carn project is going from strength
to strength and has now become an integral part of
the community in Carndonagh.
It was set up in March 2012 in response to the
collapse of the building sector which left so many
skilled men out of work and with time on their
hands.
Over the last three and a half years, the shed has
offered training courses and upskilling
opportunities for men of all ages.
These included computing, health and safety
training, safepass training, more practical
woodworking and chainsaw courses, a boatbuilding
project and are currently undertaking a pony trap
restoration project.
The men have invested a lot of time and energy and
have enjoyed the social aspect as well as the
practical side of learning new skills. |
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Carndonagh Men's Shed members Conor
Doherty and Brendan Roof launch the traditional
Donegal curragh boat participants made several years
ago. It will be one of the items auctioned at an
Open Night, on Friday, October 2. |
Carndonagh Men's Shed
chairman Jimmy Marshbank said:
“The Men’s Shed project has seen many men of
different ages come through the doors over the last
number of years, all with different needs and wants.
"The men enjoy coming together each week to learn
new skills and to socialise. We have men of all ages
actively involved and welcome anyone who may have an
interest in joining the shed to come along."
Denise Mc Cool of Inishowen Development partnership
added: “When the Men’s Shed project started there
was a sense that the outlook in Inishowen was bleak
in terms of employment opportunities and offered
little of a positive nature for many. Over the last
three and a half years, with support from Inishowen
Development Partnership (IDP), the members have got
involved in lots of different projects and many have
since returned to work."
Some interesting projects have been lined up for
Autumn / Winter 2015 such as furniture restoration;
woodworking and pallet furniture making. There will
be an Open Night on Friday, October 2 at 8.00pm in
the form of an auction of the goods they have made
such as toys, garden furniture and pallet furniture
etc.). A handmade Donegal curragh boat made a few
years ago will also go under the hammer. Anyone who
would like to join the Men's Shed in Carn or find
out more can call in any evening from 8.00pm
-10.00pm Monday to Thursday or from 10am-5pm from
Monday- Wednesdays at the Old Co-op, Moville Rd.,
Carndonagh. |
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