Loughan House inmates refurbish railway carriages

Minister re-opens newly refurbished Men’s Shed

The arrival of Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, last Friday to officially reopen the newly refurbished Belturbet & District Men’s Shed, coincided with the return of two former railway wagons beautifully restored by inmates at Loughan House.

The cross-community project, which had the backing of Belturbet Heritage Railway, is a further extension of the burgeoning relationship between the Belturbet Men’s Shed and the Men’s Shed at the Blacklion-based open prison facility. Used on the Great Northern Railway for decades before falling to decay, the lovingly-restored wagons will be used by members of the Erne Community Bowling and Pétanque Club as a shelter and clubhouse. The club is an extension to the Belturbet Community Bowling Club, formed in May 2005 by John Bennett and Jim McElgunn.

Speaking at the reopening event last Friday, March 1, Minister Humphreys was fulsome in her praise of the Men’s Shed movement around the country for the work they do “for the community as a whole”.

The Belturbet group, which has upwards of 140 members from right across the west of the county, received €25,000 from the Community Centre Investment Fund for the upgrade of the kitchen, toilet and workshop facilities. They also received a further €5,000 under the Community Enhancement Programme towards running costs, as well as the upgrade of the greenhouse and heating system and the purchase of a table saw.

“Men’s Sheds are special places indeed,” said the minister, acknowledging that they are places where men of all ages “can come together to socialise, share skills, stories and ideas” as well as work on “meaningful projects” for the benefit of the local community. “Men’s Sheds, and of course Women’s Sheds, provide a truly invaluable service,” continued Minister Humphreys, who has shown her support by visiting the Belturbet group three times now.

“They help to tackle social isolation and loneliness by providing a safe place for people to come together, to have a chat, to socialise and build friendships. And I can see that friendship and camaraderie very clearly between the members of Belturbet Men’s Shed and the community as a whole.”

Felix Finlay is chair of the Belturbet Men’s Shed. The Dublin-native suffered a stroke in August 2015 while living in Australia. He views his involvement with the local group as giving his life “purpose” and said it has aided his continued rehabilitation.

“We accept all comers,” says Felix, a talented wood worker and mechanic, adding: “For me I don’t know what I would be doing without it. Social, from a mental health standpoint, and just the craic. It is everything to me.”

The two newly restored wagons, built circa 1880, had been at the Belturbet Railway Station site for close to a quarter of a century before being sent to Loughan House. They were originally recovered from a council site west of Ballyconnell by local historian George Morrissey.

Repainted, with new wood and the original steel frames fully restored, the wagons were returned last week by McVitty Transport.

John Higgins, assistant governor in Blacklion, said that, under the guidance of skilled mentors, inmates learned valuable skills such as carpentry, metalwork, and painting. The project also helped develop teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and a strong work ethic, all of which are “essential for their successful reintegration into society upon release”.

Former assistant governor at Loughan House, Peter Perry, explained how the start of the wagon restoration project coincided with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the open prison. He said that the project provided inmates with meaningful work and opportunities for personal growth and rehabilitation, as well as promoting historical awareness and vocational education.

The initiative, Mr Perry said, demonstrates the “power of collaboration” and positive change, both within correctional facilities and within the broader community.