The men’s sheds of Ireland form a network in the truest sense of the word. Irish sheds are growing closer to one another all the time, via cluster meetings, social media and reciprocal visits between sheds.

But beyond those direct connections, Irish sheds seem to share an almost telepathic bond. With unnerving frequency, a particular craft or activity will suddenly catch the interest of dozens of sheds at opposite ends of the island, for no obvious reason.

Lately, music seems to be in the air. After our recent report on the men’s shed choir in melodious Mountmellick, Dunleer Men’s Shed in Co Louth is stepping up to the microphone.

Pat Roche, secretary of the Dunleer shed, gives us the backstory: “We’re a small shed with just 12 members. Our facilities are in the Coach House at the Market House on Main Street. The imported Dubs and culchies fit quite well together in this great little shed. The Market House is a community hub run by the Dunleer Development Board and we’re glad to find a home here”.

Pat describes the shed as leading a “quiet existence”, composed of building buddy benches, bird boxes and planter boxes, as well as embarking on the occasional excursion, such as a visit to the 1916 exhibition at the GPO.

“This was ticking along grand,” says Pat, “until one day recently, when we decided to hold a BBQ in the yard at the back of the Market House. A new member joined, and he could play the keyboard. An existing member played the guitar, and many a brave soul thought he could sing.”

Pat describes the impromptu jam session that ensued as “just phenomenal”, and continues the tale. “Then Peter Johnson in the corner heads home for his banjo. It was a new discovery for us to see and enjoy the talents of the members, which had not been seen in the shed up to this.

“We started just before 11am and finished at 2pm. It was non-stop and included everything from Elvis to Frank Sinatra and Irish ballads. Everyone went home on a high from the great singing and playing – so much so that we had another session the next week for a few hours also,”

Contacting us ahead of what he described – with, one suspects, a measure of understatement – as “a bit of a hooley” on 5 September, Pat pointed out that the shed’s tastes were culinary as well as cultural. “Jack Watters, our chair, is a retired chef, and the hamburgers are par excellence, along with the sausages. He’s not a bad singer eit – even if he is a Dub.”

In the manner of these things, creativity has spawned creativity, and the shed’s aspirations have blossomed accordingly. “I feel we probably stand out as far as men’s sheds go,” says Pat, “as we’re probably the first ones to write a song for the town where we have our shed meetings.

“It happened in conjunction with Dunleer being chosen to represent Louth in the national finals of Pride of Place this year. If we are in the winners’ enclosure, we hope to travel to Donegal for 2 December 2017 and perhaps perform the song at the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny.”

Barbecue weather may be on the way out, but it will take more than a change of season to dampen Dunleer’s passion for song. CL

The shed meets at Market House, Main Street, Dunleer, Co Louth. Pat Roche can be contacted at 087-276 9320.