The year 2018 is already shaping up to be a memorable one for men’s sheds in Ireland. As 2017 was laden with awards and recognition, bestowed in honour of the impact men’s sheds are having on communities across the country.

January 2018 saw the Irish Men’s Sheds Association accept another prestigious grant on behalf of its members. The International Charity Bazaar is an initiative of the diplomatic corps, largely managed by the spouses of various nations’ ambassadors to Ireland.

In order to make a positive contribution to their host country, the members of the corps identify deserving Irish charities and host two major events to raise funds on their behalf; a black-tie diplomatic ball and the International Charity Bazaar itself.

The most recent bazaar took place in Dublin Castle last December, featuring stalls, products and performances from countries across the globe, in the presence of Sabina Higgins, wife of President Michael D Higgins, and Lord Mayor of Dublin, Micheal Mac Donncha.

The Lord Mayor was on hand once again at the cheque presentation ceremony, hosted at his official residence, Dublin’s Mansion House. Proceedings were opened by Suzanne Gachukia-Opembe, outgoing chairperson of the International Charity Bazaar.

In her opening remarks, Mrs Gachukia-Opembe stated that: “the diplomatic corps wants to give back – and what a way to give back by supporting 11 deserving Irish charities”. She revealed that the ICB’s fundraising efforts in 2017 had raised a total of €76,000 for Irish charities.

Mrs Gachukia-Opembe, wife of Kenyan ambassador Richard A Opembe, then handed over to the ICB’s president, papal nuncio Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo – the Pope’s representative in Ireland.

The papal nuncio remarked that “Ireland is known as a land of charities. There is €26m of spontaneous charity contributions going out from the Irish public to the world each year. We are trying to support the good that Irish people are doing. This is our way of supporting the tremendous humanity of the Irish people”.

After being presented with a cheque by Lord Mayor Micheal Mac Donncha, Irish Men’s Sheds Association CEO Barry Sheridan spoke warmly of the assembled diplomatic corps.

“We’re proud and privileged to receive this grant, and I think it speaks very highly of the ICB and the diplomatic corps that there are so many great charities represented here. It shows that you have your finger on the pulse of Irish society and that you’re making a real contribution during your time here.”

Barry went on to explain the purpose to which the grant would be put: “This grant is going to make a huge difference to our Shed Support Volunteer programme. Men’s sheds are all about empowerment and making connections, and thanks to this grant our volunteers will be equipped to represent and support men’s sheds members throughout the country. That means more men being taken out of social isolation, more communities coming closer together and bringing us closer to the type of society we all want, where everyone is valued”.

The receipt of the grant from the International Charity Bazaar underscores the growing international dimension of the men’s sheds movement, with the Irish Men’s Sheds Association currently advising embryonic national associations as far afield as Iceland, Finland and Estonia. CL