James Scully and Vincent Drew are pictured outside the former fire station on Cuba Avenue, Banagher, which is being officially opened on Tuesday next, October 27, as the new home of the Banagher Men’s Shed group

Banagher Men's Shed to open its new home

Ronan Fagan

Published: Fri 23 Oct 2026, 4:59 PM

A new chapter for Banagher Men's Shed awaits this Tuesday, October 27, when the group opens the doors of its new premises at the former fire station on Cuba Avenue.

The open day will be held from 12 noon to 4pm on Tuesday, with the official opening of the new men's shed premises scheduled for 2pm.

In January, Banagher Men's Shed signed a 30-year lease with Offaly County Council for its new home. Since then the group, with approximately 20 members, has converted the former fire station, with the help of local tradespersons, into a work space and lounge area in anticipation of the grand opening this week. The group is one in which men can meet to work on joint projects, socialise with others or just drop in for a chat and to get out of the house. Acting PRO, James Scully, said Banagher Men's Shed was looking forward to taking up residence in the new premises on Cuba Avenue.

"We have spent the last six months renovating and transforming the premises into a comfortable setting where we can come together to work and enjoy each other's company," James said.

James is grateful to all those contributed to making the former fire station a new home for Banagher Men's Shed. The group received €7,000 in funding courtesy of the BnM Community Benefit Fund and also received "generous donations" from local businesses, Loonam Motors, Grant Engineering, La Sainte Union and Flynn's Bar & Restaurant.

James also expressed his gratitude to Offaly County Council and its members for agreeing to lease the former fire station to the group.

The Acting PRO said the men's shed comprises a "good mix" of former hurlers, stonemasons, historians, singers and musicians, all of whom "contribute significantly" to the group.

Meetings will be held each Tuesday, following the opening of the new premises. The group has enjoyed a number of outings to historic sites this year, with members visiting Ardnacrusha Power Station and Kilmainham Gaol.

A trip to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin awaits prior to Christmas, while a visit to the Shackleton Museum in Athy, County Kildare is planned for early 2027.

James is hoping that membership numbers continue to grow following the relocation to a "comfortable" and "welcoming" space, and is looking forward to showcasing the new premises when the group hosts its general public open day on Tuesday afternoon.