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Welcome to our December issue of Irish Men’s Sheds Association Newsletter!
On behalf the Board and staff of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
It’s a good time to reflect on what has been another year of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association going from strength to strength. During 2015 we have had another 65 sheds join the Association bringing the total number of sheds in Ireland to just over 300 in total.
This means that thousands of men every week are enjoying being part of a Men’s Shed. We look forward to 2016 with a renewed focus on making the Irish Men’s Sheds Association and all its member sheds stronger than ever. We have exciting plans for 2016 all of which will benefit all the Sheds around the country.
Early 2016 will see the release of our new Toolkit for all member sheds, a how to guide to running your shed. We will also be further rolling out our regional Cluster meetings that have proved so popular as well as holding our biggest Conference to date in October in Belfast.
This is only a snippet of what we have planned for 2016, for now enjoy your Christmas with your shed we look forward to moving forward “Shoulder to Shoulder” in 2016.
With thanks
Barry Sheridan
CEO, Irish Men’s Sheds Association
If you have a piece for our newsletter please email us on info@menssheds.ie so we can try and include it. It’s an opportunity for you to share your news with fellow sheds around the country and for us at Irish Men’s Sheds Association to keep you informed of all developments in relation to Men’s Sheds in Ireland.
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Congratulations to John Evoy on receiving People of the Year Award
Brilliant achievements of our founder John Evoy have been rewarded by him receiving an award as Person of the Year
IMSA Board Members and Guests attended the event
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Claremorris Arts and Crafts Fair
Here are some photos from the Christmas Arts and Crafts fair which happened on 21/11/15 in conjuction with Claremorris FRC and Claremorris Men’s Shed as a way to fundraise for the three shed’s and on the day they had garden furniture and other items turned on a lathe to Christmas Wreaths & Logs. Here are some photos of the fair on the day.
 
 
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Kinsale Men's Shed
now has over 22 members and is thriving.
The Shed is now open and will be attended by at least one member of Kinsale Men’s Shed every Tuesday from 5 pm to 9 pm and every Friday from 10 am to 5 pm.
New members are welcome at the above times. You can keep up to date with what’s going on at www.kinsale-mens-shed.com
They are hoping to raise funds with their 2016 calendar - 12 photos of Kinsale were donated by local professional photographers and an advert was placed by 12 local businesses which covered the cost of a print run of 300. So all sales of the calendar supports the Shed.
KMS are in the process of establishing a wood workshop and are about to launch an appeal for workshop tools and equipment to be donated. They are in need of many things from vices, hand tools, power tools even up to a woodturning lathe. So root around under the stairs, in the attic or garage for anything of use. Donated tools can be arranged to be collected.
One of the first things we intend to make in the new workshop are several tables to be used for the planned quiz nights and for card game evenings playing whist, bridge and cribbage (no money involved) or even chess. Please come along and lend a hand to this endeavour.
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Drogheda Sheds getting ready for Christmas
They booked a Christmas cabin at the square for one week from the 7th to the 14th of December. Firstly to promote their shed and secondly to try raise some funds for the shed . Well done lads!
Just a sample of some of the Christmas gifts made by the Men
 
Drogheda Shed are hosting a Cluster Meeting in January 2016
If any sheds would like to attend, please contact Eva Beirne at 085 8895471 for details.
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Bill Ferncombe( Chairman ), Seamus Hanifin( Chairman, Tipp Co. Council, Chief Superintendent Catherine Kehoe, Donal Scannell( Thurles Credit Union CEO )
THURLES MEN’S SHED LAUNCHED
Although it has been in existence for just over 12 months, the members of Thurles Men’s Shed decided to have a combined Open Day and Official Launch and what a day it proved to be for members and visitors alike.
The organising committee were certainly astonished at the number of people who turned up for the event and, thanks to catering organiser, Jimmy Kavanagh, the supply of goodies held up well to the end of the day. A steady stream of visitors from early morning viewed the many top-class items made in the Shed and there was a brisk demand for a range of products, ranging from dog kennels to bird houses and feeders to window boxes and to a timber wheelbarrow. And while all that was going on some of the men were putting the finishing touches to the many straw men which were highly visible throughout the town at the recent Hallowe’en Festival.
The highlight of the day for many was the official launch of the Shed. Introducing the event, the chairman Bill Ferncombe expressed his delight at the large crowd and said it matched the support received by the Shed from local people and businesses since its inception. The support of so many sponsors was greatly appreciated. He assured everyone that there were exciting times ahead for the Shed members.
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East Belfast Wise Men’s Shed
Pictured below are some members from East Belfast Wise Men’s Shed. Members attended two November workshops to learn new bike maintenance skills from green bicycle mechanic Karl Murphy.
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Blarney Mens Shed enjoying their High Nelly bicycle restoration
Donal Hayes from Blarney Men's Shed would be interested in linking up with other sheds that may have a similar project going on. Anyone interested can contact Donal on 086 2347934
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Dunleer Men's Shed
Pictured below are members of the Dunleer Men’s Shed on a recent trip to Kilmainham Jail with their guide.
 
In this picture, the wonderful planters the Shedders made which they tend to regularly. They certainly add a bit of colour to the pathways.
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Award for Rush Men
Rush Men’s Shed has been operating for almost 18 months and is now a well recognised and highly respected part of the rich tapestry that makes up the community in Rush. The rich horticultural hertage of Rush is reflected in the hard work and enthusiasm displayed by the green-fingered group who besides growing vegetables do pot flowers. Projects completed recently were painting the local graveyard wall, clearing up the entrances to the beaches in conjunction with the local Tidy Towns Committee and engaging in art and craft projects. The woodwork group made a variety of bird nest boxes, flower boxes and wooden toys which were displayed and sold along with paintings done by the Art Group at local craft fairs.
Some time ago the Rush Men’s Sheds was entered in the Fingal County Council Community Volunteers annual awards for groups who have in the judgement of Fingal County Council put the most effort into achieving their aim of making each of their particular communities better places to live in.
The Rush Men’s Shed was entered in the Older Persons Category and won first runner-up award in their section. Besides a framed certificate they were presented with a cheque for €500 which will come in useful for buying much needed tools and equipment for the horticultural, art and craft groups.
The award was presented by the Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Jack Chambers in the Draiocht Theatre, Blanchardstown. The picture shows some of the Rush Men’s Shed members with their Award which is being held by the founder of Rush Men’s Shed, Tony Hickey.
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Sheephaven Men's Shed
John Carr celebrating his 88th Birthday with other members from the Shed. John is very active and in the past year he has made a traditional cart, children's armchair, a butter churn and a spinning wheel. He enjoys the craic and also loves passing on his skills to other Shedders. In a word 'Inspirational'. Could he possibly be the Oldest member of the Men's Shed's in Ireland ?
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Armagh Men's Shed
Men talking part in Reminiscence Course
The men made a traditional Wagon which is being raffled to raise funds for the Southern Area Hospice.
The Kettle is the most important tool in any mensshed.
Some of the great work being done this Christmas by Armagh Men's Shed
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Bruff Men’s Shed on tour
Earlier this year, Bruff Men’s Shed received an invitation from Denis O Connor of Old Irish Ways to visit his Museum at Caherguillamore, Meanus. This turned an overcast day into an occasion to be remembered. Old Irish Ways is a collection of just about everything from times past in a setting that features an old style classroom, living room, public house (no license), forge etc.
It is a must visit for Men's Sheds, Women's Sheds, Children's Sheds, families, societies - there is something for everyone. A word of warning, do not be in a hurry. You could rush through this in an hour but you could easily spend a morning or evening or even a full day exploring the various items on display and guessing what they are. There are apple peelers, egg washers, a famine pot, old weapons, farming equipment and implements, a miniature traveller’s horse drawn caravan (no horse) and many more unusual items. We would recommend ringing Denis for an appointment @ 086 1541078, he is also on Facebook: Old Irish Ways has a website: www.oldirishways.com which may not be fully up to date as he is continually introducing new-old curiosities. Denis is a wonderful character and will explain the use and origin of any article on request.
They also visited the Thomas Fitzgerald Centre in Bruff.
This was the Old Courthouse but Bruff Heritage Group has completed an amazing renovation of the building converting it into the Thomas Fitzgerald Centre. Thomas Fitzgerald, who emigrated from Bruff in 1952, was Great Grandfather to John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States.
 
We recommend a day visit to Bruff to take in the above plus the stone circle in Grange which is the largest standing stone circle in Ireland. Anyone interested in this package please contact Maurice of Bruff Men’s Shed 086 3375207 who will negotiate a deal on your behalf to take in all the above and also a visit to their shed if groups would like to see what they are doing or not doing as the case may be.
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Newtown & Newcastle Men’s Shed
Here is something of interest and seasonal which the Newtown & Newcastle Men’s Shed have constructed for use within their community over the period of Christmas.
 
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IMSA annual Flag Day will be in April 2016
This is a great opportunity to raise valuable funds for your Shed. We would encourage every shed to take part, please contact 01 8916150 and register with IMSA office by 10th January
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