Mulcair Men’s Shed, CoLimerick
The axiom that charity begins at home applies in spades to the men’s shed – a home from home for many of its members. While the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) is itself a registered charity, its member sheds go above and beyond to support charitable causes in their communities.
Like men’s sheds, the annual Darkness into Light charity walk has become an institution in communities throughout Ireland, and the world. Inaugurated in 2009, the event takes place under the auspices of Pieta House, a major national charity which supports those affected by suicide, suicidal ideation and self harm.
Over the past 10 years, the Darkness Into Light initiative has raised over €20m for Pieta House support services and 24/7 helpline. In 2018, over 200,000 people took part in 5km walks across 150 locations, spread over 16 countries on five continents.
The 2019 events took place on Saturday 11 May and men’s sheds were, as ever, to the fore. Picking up the baton of Rostrevor Men’s Shed, which regularly stewards its local event in Co Down, Mulcair Men’s Shed made a major contribution to this year’s Limerick event.
Participants were greeted at the finish line by a huge, shed-crafted sign spelling out the central theme of the event – the simple word “HOPE”. The illuminated sign was created and donated by the shed through its own initiative and offers a superb example of community solidarity.
Readers affected by issues of self-harm, suicidal ideation or suicide can access Pieta House’s 24/7 helpline on 1800 247 247, or by texting HELP to 51444 (Ireland only).
The Sheds for Life health and wellbeing initiative continues apace in Kildare and Waterford, where the latest series of pilot programmes are being received with great enthusiasm.
Never ones to look a gift horse in the mouth, the gentlemen of Naas Community Men’s Shed have snapped up Sheds for Life’s latest offering – a workshop on dental health.
All smiles at the Naas Men's Shed dental workshop with dental nurse Aoife Buggy. \ Dental Health Foundation, Ireland
Delivered by HSE dental nurse Aoife Buggy, the workshop was offered through Dental Health Foundation, Ireland. The impacts of toothbrushing, diet, alcohol and tooth trauma on dental health were chewed over in detail.
Elsewhere in Thoroughbred County, Clane Men’s Sheds were enthusiastic participants in a CPR workshop delivered by the Irish Heart Foundation. Further workshops will be available through Sheds for Life as the programme develops.
Men’s sheds in Co Kilkenny recently participated in an innovative and important project, under the guidance of the Kilkenny Leader Partnership. The workshop was focused on sheds as components of social economies at local level, and their status within their communities.
While the topic may not set the pulse racing at first glance, the mere fact that a local agency thought to organise such a workshop indicates the esteem in which sheds are held in their local areas.
Continuing our theme of community outreach, St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon, Co Clare recently received a crash-course in the value and importance of men’s sheds. Leaving Cert Vocational Programme students heard from Co Clare Shed support volunteer Flan Hehir, as well as from hometown hero Christy Collins, chair of Shannon Men’s Shed.
Rostrevor Men’s Shed, Co Down
Finally for this week, the ever-busy Rostrevor Men’s Sheds of Co Down is holding a coffee morning on Saturday 8 June, beginning at 9am and continuing until 2pm. Anyone in the area is encouraged to attend; with due respect to Ireland’s many scenic sheds, Rostrevor in the June sunshine is quite unlike anywhere else on earth.
Read more
Shed of the Week: the Plough Men's Shed
Shed of the Week: Caherdavin and District Men's Shed
Mulcair Men’s Shed, CoLimerick
The axiom that charity begins at home applies in spades to the men’s shed – a home from home for many of its members. While the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) is itself a registered charity, its member sheds go above and beyond to support charitable causes in their communities.
Like men’s sheds, the annual Darkness into Light charity walk has become an institution in communities throughout Ireland, and the world. Inaugurated in 2009, the event takes place under the auspices of Pieta House, a major national charity which supports those affected by suicide, suicidal ideation and self harm.
Over the past 10 years, the Darkness Into Light initiative has raised over €20m for Pieta House support services and 24/7 helpline. In 2018, over 200,000 people took part in 5km walks across 150 locations, spread over 16 countries on five continents.
The 2019 events took place on Saturday 11 May and men’s sheds were, as ever, to the fore. Picking up the baton of Rostrevor Men’s Shed, which regularly stewards its local event in Co Down, Mulcair Men’s Shed made a major contribution to this year’s Limerick event.
Participants were greeted at the finish line by a huge, shed-crafted sign spelling out the central theme of the event – the simple word “HOPE”. The illuminated sign was created and donated by the shed through its own initiative and offers a superb example of community solidarity.
Readers affected by issues of self-harm, suicidal ideation or suicide can access Pieta House’s 24/7 helpline on 1800 247 247, or by texting HELP to 51444 (Ireland only).
The Sheds for Life health and wellbeing initiative continues apace in Kildare and Waterford, where the latest series of pilot programmes are being received with great enthusiasm.
Never ones to look a gift horse in the mouth, the gentlemen of Naas Community Men’s Shed have snapped up Sheds for Life’s latest offering – a workshop on dental health.
All smiles at the Naas Men's Shed dental workshop with dental nurse Aoife Buggy. \ Dental Health Foundation, Ireland
Delivered by HSE dental nurse Aoife Buggy, the workshop was offered through Dental Health Foundation, Ireland. The impacts of toothbrushing, diet, alcohol and tooth trauma on dental health were chewed over in detail.
Elsewhere in Thoroughbred County, Clane Men’s Sheds were enthusiastic participants in a CPR workshop delivered by the Irish Heart Foundation. Further workshops will be available through Sheds for Life as the programme develops.
Men’s sheds in Co Kilkenny recently participated in an innovative and important project, under the guidance of the Kilkenny Leader Partnership. The workshop was focused on sheds as components of social economies at local level, and their status within their communities.
While the topic may not set the pulse racing at first glance, the mere fact that a local agency thought to organise such a workshop indicates the esteem in which sheds are held in their local areas.
Continuing our theme of community outreach, St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon, Co Clare recently received a crash-course in the value and importance of men’s sheds. Leaving Cert Vocational Programme students heard from Co Clare Shed support volunteer Flan Hehir, as well as from hometown hero Christy Collins, chair of Shannon Men’s Shed.
Rostrevor Men’s Shed, Co Down
Finally for this week, the ever-busy Rostrevor Men’s Sheds of Co Down is holding a coffee morning on Saturday 8 June, beginning at 9am and continuing until 2pm. Anyone in the area is encouraged to attend; with due respect to Ireland’s many scenic sheds, Rostrevor in the June sunshine is quite unlike anywhere else on earth.
Read more
Shed of the Week: the Plough Men's Shed
Shed of the Week: Caherdavin and District Men's Shed
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