Tuesday 9 October saw the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) honoured with two highly prestigious awards in the space of twelve hours.
In the afternoon, IMSA chief executive officer (CEO) Barry Sheridan accepted the European Citizens’ Prize on behalf of the Men’s Shed movement at a ceremony in Brussels.
Awarded by the European Parliament, the European Citizens’ Prize recognises projects and initiatives that facilitate cross-border co-operation or promote mutual understanding within the EU. Previous Irish winners include the GAA and Foróige, while Inner City Helping Homeless was also honoured in the current round of awards.
Speaking at the ceremony in Brussels, Barry said; “This is a real milestone in the history of the Men’s Shed movement. We’re incredibly honoured and grateful to Sean Kelly MEP and his colleagues for nominating us. The event itself was a wonderful celebration of the resilience of communities throughout Europe, and to be included among the winners is a testament to our 10,000 members throughout the island.”
Barry, who was accompanied by IMSA board member Ger Siggins, met with representatives of community projects throughout Europe during and after the event.
Meanwhile, back in Dublin, the equally prestigious Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI) Awards also honoured the IMSA. Each year, SEI recognise and reward socially innovative projects at spark, seed and scale stages of development.
Sean Kelly MEP, European Parliament president Antiono Tajani, Barry Sheridan (IMSA), Ger Siggins (IMSA).
This year’s awards saw eight innovative and socially impactful projects recognised and funded through SEI, while three SEI alumni, including the IMSA, were announced as SEI impact partners. These partners – As I Am, CyberSafe Ireland and the IMSA – will receive further supports and resources through SEI, as part of its commitment to scaling socially transformative projects.
At the SEI Awards ceremony in the Mansion House, SEI CEO Darren Ryan paid tribute to the rapid expansion of Men’s Sheds in seven short years. The event closed with Kilbeggan Men’s Shed’s T.P. O’Gorman explaining the impact of Men’s Sheds on his own life.
“Bit by bit, we as a society have come to accept that there’s no one way to be a man. And sheds are just the same. Of the 400 sheds in Ireland, no two are alike, and that’s absolutely fine. From the master craftsmen, to the walking clubs such as our own in Kilbeggan, to the social tea-drinkers and the green-fingered gardeners, every shed is unique.
“So, who is the average men’s shed member? He’s your dad, your granddad, your brother, your uncle, your son. He’s retired, he’s a tradesman, he’s a sportsman, he’s black, he’s white, he’s all around you. He might be sitting right next to you. In fact, he is sitting right next to you.”
On cue, members of the Dundalk and Kilcock Men’s Shed choirs then emerged from the audience, flash-mob style, and made their way to the podium, singing a rousing rendition of Leonard Cohen’s
Anthem
The choirs’ joint performance drew a standing ovation from the hundreds of social entrepreneurs in attendance at the historic city centre venue, and the Men’s Shed flash-mob was hailed as a highlight of the evening.
IMSA chair Eoin Martyn and secretary Frank McNamara were also present at the event, and expressed their admiration for the socially significant work done by all organisations in attendance.
While these prestigious and high-profile awards are a welcome boost for the movement, the quiet (and not-so-quiet) work of sheds throughout the land are their own reward for thousands of men and their communities.
Read more
An abattoir with a facelift
Blarney Men's Shed
Tuesday 9 October saw the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) honoured with two highly prestigious awards in the space of twelve hours.
In the afternoon, IMSA chief executive officer (CEO) Barry Sheridan accepted the European Citizens’ Prize on behalf of the Men’s Shed movement at a ceremony in Brussels.
Awarded by the European Parliament, the European Citizens’ Prize recognises projects and initiatives that facilitate cross-border co-operation or promote mutual understanding within the EU. Previous Irish winners include the GAA and Foróige, while Inner City Helping Homeless was also honoured in the current round of awards.
Speaking at the ceremony in Brussels, Barry said; “This is a real milestone in the history of the Men’s Shed movement. We’re incredibly honoured and grateful to Sean Kelly MEP and his colleagues for nominating us. The event itself was a wonderful celebration of the resilience of communities throughout Europe, and to be included among the winners is a testament to our 10,000 members throughout the island.”
Barry, who was accompanied by IMSA board member Ger Siggins, met with representatives of community projects throughout Europe during and after the event.
Meanwhile, back in Dublin, the equally prestigious Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI) Awards also honoured the IMSA. Each year, SEI recognise and reward socially innovative projects at spark, seed and scale stages of development.
Sean Kelly MEP, European Parliament president Antiono Tajani, Barry Sheridan (IMSA), Ger Siggins (IMSA).
This year’s awards saw eight innovative and socially impactful projects recognised and funded through SEI, while three SEI alumni, including the IMSA, were announced as SEI impact partners. These partners – As I Am, CyberSafe Ireland and the IMSA – will receive further supports and resources through SEI, as part of its commitment to scaling socially transformative projects.
At the SEI Awards ceremony in the Mansion House, SEI CEO Darren Ryan paid tribute to the rapid expansion of Men’s Sheds in seven short years. The event closed with Kilbeggan Men’s Shed’s T.P. O’Gorman explaining the impact of Men’s Sheds on his own life.
“Bit by bit, we as a society have come to accept that there’s no one way to be a man. And sheds are just the same. Of the 400 sheds in Ireland, no two are alike, and that’s absolutely fine. From the master craftsmen, to the walking clubs such as our own in Kilbeggan, to the social tea-drinkers and the green-fingered gardeners, every shed is unique.
“So, who is the average men’s shed member? He’s your dad, your granddad, your brother, your uncle, your son. He’s retired, he’s a tradesman, he’s a sportsman, he’s black, he’s white, he’s all around you. He might be sitting right next to you. In fact, he is sitting right next to you.”
On cue, members of the Dundalk and Kilcock Men’s Shed choirs then emerged from the audience, flash-mob style, and made their way to the podium, singing a rousing rendition of Leonard Cohen’s
Anthem
The choirs’ joint performance drew a standing ovation from the hundreds of social entrepreneurs in attendance at the historic city centre venue, and the Men’s Shed flash-mob was hailed as a highlight of the evening.
IMSA chair Eoin Martyn and secretary Frank McNamara were also present at the event, and expressed their admiration for the socially significant work done by all organisations in attendance.
While these prestigious and high-profile awards are a welcome boost for the movement, the quiet (and not-so-quiet) work of sheds throughout the land are their own reward for thousands of men and their communities.
Read more
An abattoir with a facelift
Blarney Men's Shed
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: