Forget the chat at the pub, now it’s down to the shed

It used to be the pub, a snooker room, a betting office, or even the street corner but a growing number of Irish men with time on their hands are finding a new place to meet for a chat.

A new Men’s Shed was officially opened in Killarney, Co Kerry, yesterday bringing to almost 80 the number of such facilities around the country.

Since the start of the year, dozens of men have been using the tourist town’s former Ross Products factory where the facilities include work benches, opportunities for games and a tea-room.