Dáil Éireann Men’s Sheds briefing

Men’s sheds’ quest for world domination took a giant leap forward on 24 September, as Leinster House hosted a men’s sheds briefing session for TDs and senators.

The members of the Oireachtas gathered to hear Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) CEO Barry Sheridan and his staff describe the difference sheds have made to communities throughout Ireland, as well as the IMSA’s plans for the future.

TDs and senators came armed with their own stories and anecdotes of their local sheds and the atmosphere was one of unrelenting positivity and support.

The event, hosted in the audio/visual room in Leinster House, was orchestrated by Fianna Fáil Deputy Leader Dara Calleary, TD.

Members of the Oireachtas from all parties and independents were present at the cross-party event which gave all present a grounding in the impact and ambitions of the men’s sheds movement, as well as the challenges it faces in the years ahead.

“The level of support in the room was just brilliant to see,” says Barry Sheridan. “There were very senior people there from across the political spectrum and across every divide. And what was really interesting was that every single one of them had come into contact with men’s sheds, and had a positive story to tell.”

“It’s a great tribute to our members that they’ve achieved that level of recognition in such a short space of time. Support at Government level and across the political spectrum, is absolutely crucial to men’s sheds in the years ahead. We’re delighted to make some of those contacts and to see that our message is resonating at this level,” he concluded.

The Holywood Men's Shed apple press in full swing.

Holywood Men’s Shed, Co Down

The shed with the most glamorous name in Ireland is sprinkling its stardust all over Co Down again.

As the last days of September swept across the landscape, ushering leaves to the ground and communities indoors, Holywood Men’s Shed hosted an evening of traditional storytelling in the Stable Yard of Redburn Country Park.

Campsite tales

Hearkening back to those cosy yet epic evenings swapping yarns under the stars, the event took place around a camp fire and was described as a “reminiscence party”.

Four hours of alcohol-free laughs, nostalgia and the occasional outbreak of music delighted all those in attendance. Shed member Paddy Finnegan recounted a remarkable tale of the chain of coincidences that led him to settle just yards from the spot where his grandparents had first met 101 years earlier.This was the Holywood shed’s second appearance at a major cultural event in a matter of days.

The shed also delighted visitors to Holywood’s Culture Night programme by unveiling their new apple press, which cranked out litres of fresh juice, squeezed from apples picked the day before.

Ballinalsoe Men’s Shed, Co Galway

Mental health is a much-discussed issue in Ireland today, a welcome sea-change from the era in which the topic evoked embarrassment and suspicion.

Men’s sheds have been at the forefront of this altered perception, aided by the IMSA’s HSE-backed Sheds for Life initiative and its website, www.malehealth.ie.

For its part, Ballinasloe Men’s Shed in Co Galway is hosting a mental health “Connect Café” from 1pm-2pm on 10 October.

All are welcome at the event – friends and supporters of the shed and newcomers alike.

Debora Carr and Martin Dolan of Advancing Recovery in Ireland (ARI) will host an interactive workshop on the theme of communicating around mental health issues.

Ballinasloe Men’s Shed describes the goal of the Connect Café as “opening up conversations and strengthening the connection with yourself, with others and with supporters of Ballinasloe Men’s Shed”.