There’s no doubt that Ireland’s men’s sheds have a certain magnetic pulling power. From local heroes to sporting stars to mayors and politicians, sheds have become accustomed to doling out the good biscuits to eminent visitors.

It is European royalty who have been the recipients of said good biscuits. Last year, Prince Charles dropped in to Gortin Men’s Shed in Co Tyrone for a spot of tea and woodwork. Now, Ireland’s sheds have gained a second royal seal of approval, from King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maximá of the Netherlands.

The royal couple embarked on a state visit to Ireland in mid-June, closing out their tour with a visit to the historic Camden Fort Meagher in Co Cork. This coastal fortification once formed part of a deadly ring of facilities protecting Cork Harbour from the enemies of the empire.

Now repurposed as an educational tourist attraction, Camden Fort Meagher featured on the royal couple’s itinerary as the venue for a meet-and-greet with representatives of various voluntary groups from Co Cork.

The royals seemed very interested in the men’s sheds concept

Among those invited were four representatives of Carrigaline Men’s Shed. Chair Barry Cogan takes up the story. “A TV crew from Dutch national television visited the Carrigaline Men’s Shed on the previous Tuesday, and they shot some footage of our activities, including our choir.”

While the king and queen engaged graciously with all the groups present, there was no doubt that Carrigaline Men’s Shed, and its charismatic chair, made a particular impression.

Laden down with impressive examples of their handiwork, shed members Barry Cogan, Aidan Winters, Pat Dineen and Dick Jenkinson were introduced to the royal couple.

“The royals seemed very interested in the men’s sheds concept,” Barry reports. Barry explained the structure of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association and talked the king and queen through the shed’s history and activities. “Both the king and queen asked questions and joined in the conversation and really showed great interest,” he says.

The king appeared genuinely impressed by the concept, ethos and impact of the men’s shed

The brief chat fizzed with mutual good humour. At one point, Barry jokingly remarked that “the women want to get them [shed members] out of the house”, drawing a hearty guffaw from Queen Maximá and a dry riposte of “I can’t imagine” from King Willem-Alexander.

The king appeared genuinely impressed by the concept, ethos and impact of the men’s shed, and declared on the spot that he hoped to bring it back to the Netherlands.

“When the royal couple moved on to speak to the next group of volunteers,” notes Barry, “a number of Dutch TV camera crews filmed the Men’s Shed display and did more interviews about the shed.”

After their brush with royalty, the four shed members were treated to a slap-up lunch in the Fort tearooms, where they were joined by fellow members Francis O’Brien, Finbarr Heas and Eoghan O’Keeffe, all of whom volunteer with the Camden Fort Meagher project.

The following 48 hours were a whirlwind of publicity and plaudits for the shed, the royal couple’s obvious interest in the concept sparking widespread curiosity and acclaim. The shed featured in major print and broadcast media outlets throughout Ireland and the Netherlands in the following days.

Although the king and queen have returned home, there will be, Barry assures us, no summer lull. The polytunnel, workshop and mechanical section remain hives of activities, and the shed choir practises every Tuesday morning at 11am, as fundraising and completion of the shed’s new premises continues.

Prospective members in Carrigaline and environs who wish to follow in the king’s footsteps may contact Francis O’Brien 087 230 6640 or Barry Cogan 087 813 7990.