The muse of poetry is a fickle creature, favouring some and eluding others. But in the steadfast belief that everyone has at least one poem in them, Poetry Ireland and the Irish Men’s Sheds Association embarked on the world’s first men’s sheds poetry contest.

The contest attracted entries from dozens of sheds, drawn from a total of 13 counties throughout the island. The onerous task of selecting the winners fell to acclaimed poet, author and playwright Dermot Bolger.

“This competition gave me a true feel for the great sense of companionship and bonding which men feel with these unique spaces. So many poems explored these feelings of support and camaraderie that it was a difficult task to pick out winners,” said Dermot.

On a Cold Winter’s Eve, Eoin Moynihan’s evocative meditation on the starkness of winter and the meaning of home, was ultimately selected as the overall winner.

Dermot Bolger was effusive in his praise for the work of the Granard Men’ Shed member: “What I loved about the poem was how it conjured up a twilit, desolate winter landscape and then the expectation and sense of warmth that any wanderer feels when they come within sight of home. It manages the deft feat of being about isolation and about companionship at the same time.”

Second place went to Donald McKenna of Keady Men’s Shed in Co Armagh, who caught Dermot’s eye with a lively and amusing composition entitled Living in the Past: “It juxtaposed two worlds and different times so that, after conjuring up the here-and-now companionship of the shed, it then deftly launches us back into a tour-de-force description of a vanished way of life – told not just with nostalgia but with wonderful flashes of sharp wit.”

Donald is well-placed to evoke the spirit of decades past, having been born in 1929. At 89 years of age, he is one the men’s sheds movement’s elder statesmen and an immensely popular fixture at his home shed.

The prize-giving ceremony was hosted by Poetry Ireland at the historic offices in Parnell Square. Director Maureen Kennelly said: “Our job is about connecting people to poetry, so to be connected to a very well-regarded organisation like the Irish Men’s Sheds Association is a source of great delight for us. We’re about public engagement and promoting excellence, whether that’s through reading, writing or listening. Encouraging new writers and new readers is really important to us.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Irish Men’s Sheds Association CEO Barry Sheridan said: “The quality of the poems shows the creativity and the range of knowledge and experience that exists within the men’s sheds movement, and we were delighted to partner with such a prestigious organisation as Poetry Ireland.”

John Walsh of Oranmore Men’s Shed in Co Galway took third place with his poem The Shed, and all three winners were presented with framed copies of their compositions, along with subscriptions to Poetry Ireland publications and a range of rare, vintage and signed poetry volumes from Ulysses Books of 10 Duke St in Dublin 2. CL

For more information on Poetry Ireland, visit www.poetryireland.ie

On a Cold Winter’s Eve

By Eoin Moynihan,

Granard Men’s Shed

Out on the lonely mountain

Descending from the windswept heights

Walking along and keeping an eye on the dog.

The rough stone underfoot

The small walls to climb over

And then the big field to cross.

Up the narrow path through the stunted trees

And then the bit of road before cutting across the open country again

And where’s the dog gone to now?

A piercing whistle, a flash of movement and there he was.

And now the rain began.

First it fell softly, then ever heavily more.

And cold. And wet.

Head lowered down against the wind now.

And then a bark and the dog leapt forward.

Eyes lifted up to be greeted by the lighted window.

A soft smile.

He was almost home.