Since the Irish Men’s Sheds Association was established in Ireland in 2011, Men’s sheds have grown to be one of the largest men’s movements in Ireland. In just over five years, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association has supported the development of Men’s Sheds throughout Ireland, with 350 sheds now established throughout the 32 counties, with an estimated 10,000 men actively taking part each week.
Men’s Sheds are community-based, non-commercial organisations open to all men where the primary activity is the provision of a safe, friendly, and inclusive environment. They are a space where the men are able to gather and/or work on meaningful projects at their own pace, in their own time and in the company of other men.
Most men have learned from our culture that they don’t talk about feelings and emotions. There has been little encouragement for men to take an interest in their own health and wellbeing. Men are often reluctant to talk about their emotions and that means that they usually don’t ask for help. Because of this, many men can suffer more from isolation, loneliness and depression.
Good health is based on many factors including feeling good about yourself, being productive and valuable to your community, connecting to friends and maintaining an active body and mind.
Becoming a member of a community Men’s Shed gives a man that safe and busy environment where he can find many of these things in an atmosphere of friendship. And, importantly, there is no pressure. Men can just come and have a chat and a cuppa if that is all they’re looking for.
It’s time for a change and the Men’s Shed movement is a powerful tool in helping men to once again become valued and valuable members of our community. Research shows that Men’s Sheds have a significant impact on men’s social connection, self perception, skills development, learning, community engagement, volunteering and, consequently, their overall wellbeing and productivity and the safety and resilience of their community.
Statistics
• 89% of men reported that they felt better about themselves |• 97% were more confident as a result of attending | • 97% of respondents felt that they were giving back to the community |• 86% said they felt more accepted in the community
Men’s Sheds in Ireland, Learning through community contexts (Carragher, 2013)
Rush - Waiting For Godot
Recently, Tony Hickey, founder of Rush Men’s Shed, got a phone call from an American who said he would like to see around the shed. Tony made an appointment for the members to meet and greet him. While waiting for the guest, they got out an assortment of games and projects and one of the members gave a masterclass on playing pool. They had a great time and it turned out to be the most enjoyable day. The only problem was that the guest didn’t turn up – wherever he got to, they would like to thank him for being the unwitting catalyst for a great day.
Athboy Men’s Shed
This shed meets every Wednesday at 10:00am to 12:30pm. All graduates of the university of life and willing to share their skills and experience. Located in the old craft classroom in the Convent Community Centre, with plenty of tools and equipment and loads of ideas, the men’s shed provides a sanctuary for work, gossip and getting out from under herself, where applicable.
Dunboyne Men’s Shed
The last week of September saw Dunboyne Men’s Shed on active service in the local Rehab day care centre where they are creating a fully accessible garden. They also have a bowling league on Monday’s in Blanchardstown and they were recently invited to a clay pigeon shoot in Ballivor by Go For Life. Our thanks to Go For Life, who have been such a great support.
Ballyshannon Men’s Shed
Ballyshannon Men’s Shed opened in April 2016. It was somewhat of a struggle at the beginning. Members brought in their own carpentry tools but after a few weeks they were in a position to purchase a bench saw because of the generosity of local business.
KC Men’s Shed
Recently opened, the KC Men’s Shed focuses on social activities. It has a library, a new polytunnel and is looking to develop a drama group and a card playing night. Located in Annagh, Keel road, Castlemaine. Contact 086-2288313 or 087-9106213 for further information.
Gorey Men’s Shed
Celtic Choristers invite all our friends to an evening of music and song in Christchurch, Gorey, on 11 November. Special guests include Templechapel Ceilí band, Michelle Delmar and Lina Baterina-Kiva. Proceeds go to Men’s Sheds Gorey and Kila’s First Steps.
Kilia is a five-year-old girl with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and club foot. The funds will help with her expenses to attend a clinic in Limerick and hopefully get her out of her wheelchair. Please support the night. Contact 085-731 8927 for tickets.
Dun Laoghaire Men’s Shed
Dun Laoghaire Men’s Shed worked on a derelict coach house in the past year to make it habitable. It’s now in comfortable working order. They are now open three afternoons and two mornings per week. Email dlmensshed@gmail.com for further information.
Kilkenny Men’s Shed
This month the members have been busy making a dog kennel, upcycling bikes for the Kilkenny Recreational Sports Partnership, repairing the mosaic on the lawn and building the pergola for the garden.
Taghmon FRC Men’s Shed
Taghmon FRC Men’s Shed, working with artist Andi McGarry, built a 26-foot curragh over the summer months and paddled it down the Slaney River from Enniscorthy. The whole process was captured on film and is now available to view on YouTube under “Taghmon Mans Shed Boat Project 2016”. The Curragh project was funded and supported by Wexford County Council. It was a new and exciting challenge for the men as they had never built a boat before and most of them had never been on one either! Eddie Waters, one of the men involved, said: “It was daunting at first … but we have learned so many skills … we were actually surprised at how easy we found it.”
The men use their skills to complete projects for the local community.
What is this new
partnership about?
“As part of our strategy to build the awareness of Men’s Sheds throughout the country, we are delighted to announce our new partnership with the country’s largest weekly selling farm and agriculture publication, the Irish Farmers Journal. This exciting partnership will provide the Irish Men’s Sheds Association with a weekly opportunity to share all the stories, news and updates with Irish Farmers Journal readers.” – Barry Sheridan, CEO of Irish Men’s Sheds Association.
“We in the Irish Farmer’s Journal are delighted with this partnership with the Irish Men’s Sheds Association. Through our pages we want to build national awareness of the excellent work being done to combat social isolation. We want to bring the huge range of activities undertaken by Men’s Sheds to our readers attention. In short, we want to have a successful Men’s Shed in every parish in the country.”
– Mairead Lavery, Irish Country Living editor.
Since the Irish Men’s Sheds Association was established in Ireland in 2011, Men’s sheds have grown to be one of the largest men’s movements in Ireland. In just over five years, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association has supported the development of Men’s Sheds throughout Ireland, with 350 sheds now established throughout the 32 counties, with an estimated 10,000 men actively taking part each week.
Men’s Sheds are community-based, non-commercial organisations open to all men where the primary activity is the provision of a safe, friendly, and inclusive environment. They are a space where the men are able to gather and/or work on meaningful projects at their own pace, in their own time and in the company of other men.
Most men have learned from our culture that they don’t talk about feelings and emotions. There has been little encouragement for men to take an interest in their own health and wellbeing. Men are often reluctant to talk about their emotions and that means that they usually don’t ask for help. Because of this, many men can suffer more from isolation, loneliness and depression.
Good health is based on many factors including feeling good about yourself, being productive and valuable to your community, connecting to friends and maintaining an active body and mind.
Becoming a member of a community Men’s Shed gives a man that safe and busy environment where he can find many of these things in an atmosphere of friendship. And, importantly, there is no pressure. Men can just come and have a chat and a cuppa if that is all they’re looking for.
It’s time for a change and the Men’s Shed movement is a powerful tool in helping men to once again become valued and valuable members of our community. Research shows that Men’s Sheds have a significant impact on men’s social connection, self perception, skills development, learning, community engagement, volunteering and, consequently, their overall wellbeing and productivity and the safety and resilience of their community.
Statistics
• 89% of men reported that they felt better about themselves |• 97% were more confident as a result of attending | • 97% of respondents felt that they were giving back to the community |• 86% said they felt more accepted in the community
Men’s Sheds in Ireland, Learning through community contexts (Carragher, 2013)
Rush - Waiting For Godot
Recently, Tony Hickey, founder of Rush Men’s Shed, got a phone call from an American who said he would like to see around the shed. Tony made an appointment for the members to meet and greet him. While waiting for the guest, they got out an assortment of games and projects and one of the members gave a masterclass on playing pool. They had a great time and it turned out to be the most enjoyable day. The only problem was that the guest didn’t turn up – wherever he got to, they would like to thank him for being the unwitting catalyst for a great day.
Athboy Men’s Shed
This shed meets every Wednesday at 10:00am to 12:30pm. All graduates of the university of life and willing to share their skills and experience. Located in the old craft classroom in the Convent Community Centre, with plenty of tools and equipment and loads of ideas, the men’s shed provides a sanctuary for work, gossip and getting out from under herself, where applicable.
Dunboyne Men’s Shed
The last week of September saw Dunboyne Men’s Shed on active service in the local Rehab day care centre where they are creating a fully accessible garden. They also have a bowling league on Monday’s in Blanchardstown and they were recently invited to a clay pigeon shoot in Ballivor by Go For Life. Our thanks to Go For Life, who have been such a great support.
Ballyshannon Men’s Shed
Ballyshannon Men’s Shed opened in April 2016. It was somewhat of a struggle at the beginning. Members brought in their own carpentry tools but after a few weeks they were in a position to purchase a bench saw because of the generosity of local business.
KC Men’s Shed
Recently opened, the KC Men’s Shed focuses on social activities. It has a library, a new polytunnel and is looking to develop a drama group and a card playing night. Located in Annagh, Keel road, Castlemaine. Contact 086-2288313 or 087-9106213 for further information.
Gorey Men’s Shed
Celtic Choristers invite all our friends to an evening of music and song in Christchurch, Gorey, on 11 November. Special guests include Templechapel Ceilí band, Michelle Delmar and Lina Baterina-Kiva. Proceeds go to Men’s Sheds Gorey and Kila’s First Steps.
Kilia is a five-year-old girl with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and club foot. The funds will help with her expenses to attend a clinic in Limerick and hopefully get her out of her wheelchair. Please support the night. Contact 085-731 8927 for tickets.
Dun Laoghaire Men’s Shed
Dun Laoghaire Men’s Shed worked on a derelict coach house in the past year to make it habitable. It’s now in comfortable working order. They are now open three afternoons and two mornings per week. Email dlmensshed@gmail.com for further information.
Kilkenny Men’s Shed
This month the members have been busy making a dog kennel, upcycling bikes for the Kilkenny Recreational Sports Partnership, repairing the mosaic on the lawn and building the pergola for the garden.
Taghmon FRC Men’s Shed
Taghmon FRC Men’s Shed, working with artist Andi McGarry, built a 26-foot curragh over the summer months and paddled it down the Slaney River from Enniscorthy. The whole process was captured on film and is now available to view on YouTube under “Taghmon Mans Shed Boat Project 2016”. The Curragh project was funded and supported by Wexford County Council. It was a new and exciting challenge for the men as they had never built a boat before and most of them had never been on one either! Eddie Waters, one of the men involved, said: “It was daunting at first … but we have learned so many skills … we were actually surprised at how easy we found it.”
The men use their skills to complete projects for the local community.
What is this new
partnership about?
“As part of our strategy to build the awareness of Men’s Sheds throughout the country, we are delighted to announce our new partnership with the country’s largest weekly selling farm and agriculture publication, the Irish Farmers Journal. This exciting partnership will provide the Irish Men’s Sheds Association with a weekly opportunity to share all the stories, news and updates with Irish Farmers Journal readers.” – Barry Sheridan, CEO of Irish Men’s Sheds Association.
“We in the Irish Farmer’s Journal are delighted with this partnership with the Irish Men’s Sheds Association. Through our pages we want to build national awareness of the excellent work being done to combat social isolation. We want to bring the huge range of activities undertaken by Men’s Sheds to our readers attention. In short, we want to have a successful Men’s Shed in every parish in the country.”
– Mairead Lavery, Irish Country Living editor.
SHARING OPTIONS