Just when you think you have a handle on the Men’s Sheds movement, something comes along that stops you in your tracks.

Men’s Sheds take all shapes and sizes, but Dublin Ten Twenty Men’s Shed – one of the newest dots on the map – is undoubtedly one of a kind.

The shed owes its distinctive name to a unique reciprocal arrangement with Ballyfermot Men’s Shed: members meet in Palmerstown, Dublin 20 on Tuesdays, and attend the existing shed in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 on Thursdays.

What really sets Dublin Ten Twenty Men’s Shed apart, however, is its raison d’être as a musician’s paradise. The shed was formed from an existing, informal group of musicians meeting regularly in Palmerstown.

Gary Kavanagh of Dublin Ten Twenty Men’s Shed takes up the story: “We were invited out to Dunleer Men’s Shed in Co Louth by Pat Roche. They took out their guitars, we took out ours, and we had a great little session. We then decided to form a shed of our own.”

Rather than compete for members with nearby sheds, the new shed opted for a policy of peaceful co-existence. A bond was swiftly formed with Ballyfermot Men’s Shed, allowing for a unique arrangement whereby the two sheds exchange members on a weekly basis.

“We have an excellent relationship with Ballyfermot,” says Gary. “You can join either shed, or you can join both. We’re always welcome at their shed and vice versa.”

The new shed is already having an inspirational effect on its members. “One fella was recently made redundant. He hadn’t picked up his guitar in 40 years. But he saw one of our posters and decided he’d like to get back into music again. He took the guitar down out of the attic, came to the shed, joined in, and he’s now practicing again every night. We encourage and inspire each other to try new things, new songs, new styles”.

“Another lad has started writing his own songs. You’d feel comfortable doing that and asking what the others think: it’s totally non-judgemental. We’re not in competition with each other.”

Gary sang with a ballad group for many years, but, via the musical melting-pot of the shed, now finds himself more drawn to country and folk music. “There’s great variety,” he says. “People will recommend artists you might not have heard of, and you go straight to YouTube and look them up. You’re building on your knowledge all the time.”

Despite its unique focus, the new venture is unambiguously a fully-fledged shed. “We create things out of music, rather than out of wood, but we’re very much a men’s shed,” says Gary. “I love the social aspect of Men’s Sheds– networking with likeminded people. And the backing of other sheds is great.”

Gary pays tribute to the support of Ballyfermot Partnership in getting the shed off the ground. “The Irish Men’s Sheds Association was a great help also. We’ve already had a visit from Michael O’Connell, our Shed Support Volunteer. We played a few tunes for him.”

Beyond serenading Shed Support Volunteers, Gary’s plans for the future of the shed are ambitious. “One of our objectives is to get into a recording studio and put down a few tracks. We’re already performing locally at the Silver Granite in Palmerstown from 9.30 on Tuesday nights.”

The shed is always on the lookout for new members – musical or otherwise. “You don’t have to be a musician,” reassures Gary. “You’re more than welcome just to come for the cuppa and to hear a few tunes.”

Sound like your cup of tea? Contact Gary Kavanagh on gary.g.kavanagh@gmail.com or 086 821 3553. CL