A successful men’s social group in Kilkenny is opening its arms to older men in the community who might be seeking a little extra social interaction in their lives.
The Kilkenny Men’s Action Network was formed for male senior citizens to meet and interact with new people and take part in new activities. The group is run with the support of Kilkenny Social Services and the Fr McGrath Centre.
The network will hold an open day today (Friday, October 8 ) from 11am in its base at the St Canice’s Hall, with a range of activities planned, including a presentation from a member of the Woodturning Association of Ireland.
To date the group has been very successful as a forum for older men for social purposes, according to Theresa Nolan of Kilkenny Social Services, and they have taken part in various activities aimed at broadening their horizons, including cooking classes.
They also organise numerous trips, with an upcoming trip to the European Parliament building in Brussels planned.
“It is the only successful men’s group we know of in Ireland,” Ms Nolan said.
“For a number of years we tried to come up with a framework to set up a men’s group like this but we got no feedback because there wasn’t another group like it.
“Eventually we just decided to set it up and see how it went and it is currently growing stronger by the week.”
The Men’s Action Network has been in existence for three years this Christmas, having started out in the Old Boy’s Club, an ‘old, damp and dark hall’, as Ms Nolan describes it. Now known as the St Canice’s Parish Hall, the building has been refurbished.
She said one of the noticeable benefits of the group was the atmosphere of support that was struck up among members, with individuals often offering to drive others to hospital appointments, etc.
All are welcome at today’s open day. The Men’s Action Network meet every Friday morning in the hall and sometimes in winter the Kilkenny Sports Partnership organises additional activities such as bowling at Desert Hall on New Street.
For more information contact Theresa Nolan at Kilkenny Social Services on (056 ) 7723998.
