Dalbeattie Men’s Shed, Scotland

Celebrity endorsements for the Men’s Sheds movement have come thick and fast in recent years.

Here in Ireland, the likes of sporting legends Donncha O’Callaghan and David Gillick have nailed their colours firmly to the men’s sheds mast, while President Michael D Higgins acts as patron to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association.

All those men who worked on the docks, all those stevedores and dockers, all those riveters and hold-borers from the shipyards, platers and welders…thousands and thousands of men. Where have they all gone?

But the role Men’s Sheds play in transforming lives and communities is beginning to be acknowledged across the globe.

In late December, legendary Scottish comedian Sir Billy Connolly visited Dalbeattie Men’s Shed in Dumfries & Galloway, as part of his Billy Connolly: Made in Scotland BBC TV series.

In a clip which has gone viral in the British (and Irish) shed-o-sphere, Sir Billy waxes nostalgic about the tradesmen and characters he looked up to as a child.

“It’s a constant source of puzzle to me – where did all those thousands of men go?

“All those men who worked on the docks, all those stevedores and dockers, all those riveters and hold-borers from the shipyards, platers and welders…thousands and thousands of men. Where have they all gone?”

After reminiscing about the communal sheds that once took pride of place in Scottish parks, where men would meet to work on projects together, Sir Billy is seen crossing the threshold of Dalbeattie Men’s Shed.

Revelling in the atmosphere and badinage, Sir Billy offers words of the highest praise for the men’s sheds movement.

“I think it’s remarkable. I think it’s a kind of miracle. Because, usually, you’d be playing dominoes in the park”.

Dalbeattie Men’s Shed, which was declared UK Shed of the Year is revelling in its 15 minutes of fame, which has attracted thousands of interactions online in recent weeks.

Holywood Men's Shed get to grips with 3D printing.

Holywood Men’s Shed, Co Down

Holywood Men’s Shed has one of the most glamorous names of any Irish affiliate. Fortunately, the shed witnesses little of the drama associated with its Californian namesake, and indeed, its latest project is more redolent of science fiction.

Shed chair Dr Bill Lockhart, a former Irish Men’s Sheds Association board member, has sent us this picture of members getting to grips with a 3D printer, as part of a project undertaken in conjunction with South East Regional College.

3D printing, which allows physical ‘printing’ of objects from digital blueprints, has been one of the buzzword technologies of the past few years, and the Holywood shed-pack are the first in Ireland to undertake formal training.

It may be a while before sheds are printing their own premises, but where better to bring fantasies to life than in Holywood?

Artists from Dungarvan Day Centre and Dungarvan Men's Shed at their launch event.

Dungarvan Men’s Shed, Co Waterford

In the waning days of 2018, a long-awaited project finally breathed its first breath in Waterford.

The Art for Fun Exhibition was opened by Councillor Declan Doocey, Mayor of Waterford city and county in Dungarvan day centre. The Mayor praised the artists involved and complimented Dungarvan Day Centre and Dungarvan Men’s Shed for the contribution to the project, and the community in general.

Chris Heaphy of Dungarvan Men’s Shed organised the exhibition, stepping into the breech at Dungarvan Day Centre when the resident artist there was indisposed. Chris ran a 12-week pilot programme for the women in the Day Centre, before undertaking a similar project in the shed.

The projects naturally intertwined with one another, not least as a result of the Day Centre making a donation to the shed in recognition of the contribution made by Chris and other members.The current exhibition combines the work of both groups,and is seen as a just reward for this splendid example of community co-operation.