Restoration of Vintage Carriage & Messenger Bike

On Saturday August 3^rd, Cumann na bhFear (aka Men’s Shed Galway city) is inviting volunteers to help them start the process of making road-worthy a vintage horse-drawn carriage (aka Trap) and three wheel bicycle.

The light framed two wheel Trap was a traditional form of family (2-4 people) transport in Ireland during the period from the 1830s up until the 1950s, when it was replaced by the motorised car.

The three wheel bicycle was in service with the national (Irish) Post and Telegraph (P & T) service probably in the 1950s-1960s. Fitted out with a large wicker basket in front, postmen used such bikes to deliver commercial and domestic parcels and letters in urban areas.

It is hoped that both the bike and Trap (harnessed to a pony) will be operational to take part in a forthcoming Seven Galway Castles Heritage Cycle Tour during the autumn.

The bike's wicker basket will be used to carry first aid, bike repair kits and picnic beverages/foods.

The repair work will commence at 10.30am on Saturday August 3^rd.

Both vehicles are on loan to the club from heritage enthusiast Micheál Keaney from Castle Ellen. 

Cumann na bhFear- Weekly Vintage Bike Repair Workshops

High Nelly bikes with Cumann na bhFear, St. Patrick's Day Parade 2013, Galway city

More volunteers are now needed to be involved in the next vintage bicycle repair and maintenance workshop which will take place at 7pm on Monday May 20th in the Cumann na bhFear (aka Men’s Shed) premises at unit 1B in Sandy Road Business Park.
Last Monday, seven High Nelly bikes were worked on with work continuing on this units on Monday next. 

Tutor is cycling expert Brian MacGabhann who will supervise the repair of a fleet of High Nelly bicycles as well as providing participants with practical advice on topics such as repairing a flat tyre, cleaning and oiling bike chains, fixing a buckled wheel and adjusting brakes.

The restored classic bicycles will be used for leisurely cycling within the Terryland Forest Park and for a new Greenway cycling route that will link seven castles along the mainly rural landscapes of north Galway city and nearby county including the castles of Terryland, Menlo, Cloonacauneen, KIleen and Castlegar.

Michael Keaney of Castle Ellen has donated to the group a rare vintage three wheel post office bicycle that will be restored for use as a picnic food holder for participants taking part in the Seven Galway Castles cycling tours

For further information and for booking a place on the workshop, contact Brendan Smith at speediecelt@gmail.com

Cumann na bhFear is part of the international Men’s Shed movement that provides an environment and a place for men and women, both young and old, retired, unemployed as well as the employed to teach and learn manual skills from each other. The group, based in a premises leased from City Council on Sandy Road, provides facilities, courses and workshops for members in woodturning, blacksmithing, tin-smithing, coppicing, bicycle maintenance, furniture repair, electronics and web-design. The group has a strong heritage and community ethos and is hoping to use the skills taught to re-construct and repair many of the hedgerows, gates, pathways and stonewalls in the publicly owned Terryland Forest Park.

Bike Repair Workshops at Galway's "Men's Shed"

Cumann na bhFear (aka Men’s Shed) is actively involved in enhancing public engagement with Terryland Forest Park in areas such as developing a walking and cycling trails network.
To support this latter project and to help in increasing cycling within Galway city the club will host, commencing at 7pm on Monday October 22nd, a four (weekly) session course in bike maintenance at their premises located at Unit 1B in Sandy Road Business Park (near Galway Bay FM).
Tutor is renowned cycling enthusiast Brian MacGabhann.

Brian will give practical advice and demonstrations on topics such as repairing a flat tyre, cleaning and oiling bike chains, fixing a buckled wheel and adjusting brakes.
All are welcome to attend.