SWORD’S MEN’S SHED, CO. DUBLIN

With the numbers of men’s sheds expanding at a rapid rate, there’s barely a patch of the island untouched by the movement. But one enterprising Co Dublin shed has fixed its sights on higher things, beyond Ireland’s green and fertile shores.

Swords Men’s Shed recently breached the final frontier, hosting a visit from the Irish Astronomical Society (IAS). The event was the culmination of the shed’s long-standing interest in all matters celestial, with the shedders having visited historic Dunsink Observatory two years running.

Ben Mullen of Swords Men’s Shed says: “The Irish Astronomical Society’s mission statement is about popularising astronomy, and they were delighted to come out to us.”

The visit took the form of an hour-long presentation from the IAS delegation, comprising John Dolan, Mick McCreary and Val Dunne.

“They brought binoculars and a telescope, and some copies of their magazine, Orbit. It was all about astronomy as a hobby.”

Like several other shedders, Ben has a deep-rooted interest in astronomy, which he attributes to the inimitable Sir Patrick Moore and his The Sky at Night programme.

“It sort of sparked my interest. I have a pair of binoculars on a tripod and I do a bit of stargazing myself.”

Even before their gaze expanded to the whole universe, the men of Swords were looking to new horizons. Earlier this summer, the official handover of their new premises on Seatown Road was carried out by benefactors Paul and Anthony Dunne of Knife-Edge Fencing, with Fingal Lord Mayor Cllr. Darragh Butler in attendance.

“We’ve been nomads until recently, renting the Holywell Community Centre. We’re delighted to be fitting out the new premises, and we’re very grateful to the Dunnes for building us a new shed.”

With feet finally planted on solid ground, Ben is looking forward to welcoming the IAS back in the near future. Sawdust and stardust make for a potent combination, and other sheds who are interested in astronomy can find out more by visiting the Irish Astronomical Society’s website at www.irishastrosoc.org.

To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, we are all in the shed, but some of us are looking at the stars.

MOUNTMELLICK MEN’S SHED, CO LAOIS

They may remain, for the moment, resolutely earth-bound, but Mountmellick Men’s Shed is also celebrating a move into new space. The shed recently held its first meeting at its new premises, and shedder Joe Kelly believes the change will make a huge difference: “We acquired four prefabs from a school in Tullamore and combined them in such a way that we have a hallway, a little kitchen and a toilet. We have a workshop on one side and a meeting room on the other.”

Unlike the shed’s former premises – a house rented from the local Church of Ireland – the new set-up is wheelchair-accessible and caters for members with mobility issues.

The new premises will play host to one of Ireland’s most intriguing shed projects, Mountmellick’s well-established choir.

“Every Monday night we’d have a meeting, we’d all sit around in a circle,” Joe recalls. “Then, at the end of the meeting a fella would sing a song. Everyone would take a turn, and it sort of just grew out of that.”

The shed now boasts three or four guitarists, including Joe, a former electrician who strummed his first chord in 2006, when well into his 50s.

“It was just something I always wanted to do,” he says.

With a solid repertoire of ballads and other folk favourites, the Mountmellick Men’s Shed choir will be performing at Mountmellick Arts Centre on 13 October. CL