Men's Shed proposed for old Laois fire station
The old fire station in Stradbally was built in the 1950s
A MEN’S Shed has been proposed for the old fire station in Stradbally, after it is replaced by a new station that is currently under construction.
Cllr Paschal McEvoy made the proposal at a meeting in county hall, when he asked Laois County Council to consider leasing the old fire station for community use.
He said that the building on Main Street, which dates from the 1950s, would be an ideal base for a Men’s or Women’s Shed, as soon as the fire service moves to the new station at the town’s Cork/Abbeyleix Road junction.
He said: “It is a prime location and would be ideal. A big problem with Stradbally is that it has no community centre and the fire station would be ideal for a Men’s or Women’s Shed. I hope we can push it over the line when the time comes.”
The Stradbally councillor recalled that, when he was council cathaoirleach from 2023-24, he saw the value of such sheds in local communities, providing a social outlet as well as a base for projects that benefited towns and villages.
The proposal was strongly supported by cllr Aidan Mullins, who pointed out that a Men’s Shed was established at the old fire station in Portarlington and was “a marvellous project”.
Cllr Vivienne Phelan from Stradbally thought it was an excellent proposal and told cllr McEvoy: “Anything I can do to work together on it with you, I will do.”
The motion was also backed by cllrs Ben Brennan and Pádraig Fleming. Cllr Fleming said: “There has been a big growth in Men’s Sheds and they have a very positive impact on local communities.”
Council director of services Donal Brennan said that, if the fire service and the council’s property section had no interest in the building, “the long-term use of the old fire station will be examined, after the new station is built and the transfer of operations have been completed”.
The proposal was made at the December meeting of Graiguecullen/Portarlington Municipal District.
