We often use this page to bring you the big picture stories on the men’s sheds movement: awards won, events held, major projects undertaken. But every tapestry is composed of a thousand stitches, and this week we want to focus on the little things that make up the whole.

To that end, we’re going to bring you on a whistle-stop tour of Ireland’s men’s sheds landscape as we pass the mid-point of 2018.

Athenry Men’s Shed, Co Galway

In Galway, Athenry men’s shed recently helped celebrate the 30th anniversary of Craughwell National School, which coincided with the official opening of a new school garden and playground. Members of Athenry men’s shed constructed a playhouse for the children of the school, to be housed in the new facility.

Skerries Men’s Shed, Co Dublin

Skerries men’s shed enjoys one of the most picturesque locations in the country. In the recent fine weather the coastal village has looked its most idyllic, with the sun glinting off gentle summer seas. Once a thriving fishing port, Skerries is now a perfect spot for a lazy, summer day trip, and the members of its shed would like to keep it that way. With that in mind, Skerries men’s shed undertook a voluntary clean-up of their beloved village’s Harbour Road flowerbed.

Men’s Health Week 2018

The ever-expanding connection between men’s sheds and men’s health was apparent again during Men’s Health Week in June. Sheds throughout the country partnered with a range of major national health bodies for a series of men’s health events. The Irish Men’s Sheds Association events were organised by health and wellbeing manager Edel Byrne and took place in a wide variety of locations, from Galway to Meath to Wexford.

Meanwhile, local events were arranged by sheds throughout the country, including in Tullow and in Cork, where Mayfield men’s sheds choir performed for a men’s health week event organised at Cork City Hall. Councillor Tony Fitzgerald, Lord Mayor of Cork, helped out with the percussion section, by graciously donning a set of bongos to complement his mayoral chains.

Dublin 8 Men’s Shed

The Dolphin House/Dolphin Park area of Dublin 8 is currently undergoing a major process of regeneration, under the auspices of Dublin City Council.

The area’s men’s shed, which had been operating out of a local flat, has been placed literally front and centre of the regeneration process.

In recognition of the shed’s contribution to the local community, Dublin City Council has provided it with a new premises in an extremely prominent location at the entrance to Dolphin Park.

The premises, which was formerly a Dublin Corporation rent office, was formally opened in mid-June.

The launch event was attended by a range of agencies and groups which support the shed’s activities, from the HSE to Dublin City Council and local League of Ireland club St Patrick’s Athletic. Barnardos chair Fergus Finlay, who also serves as chair of the regeneration board, presided over the launch event, and remarked upon the level of community support that the shed has been able to harness due to its visibility and reputation in the area. Former Lord Mayor Councillor Criona Ni Dhalaigh cut the ribbon.

The new premises is located directly adjacent to Dolphin House Community Centre.

Tullow Men’s Shed, Co Carlow

Another shed deeply integrated into its community is Tullow Men’s Shed of Co Carlow. The shed recently teamed up with the local Vintage Car Club to create a stunning camper van clock for the car show raffle in aid of the Cairdeas Centre, Tullow. CL