Men’s Sheds Global Gathering 2020
The Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) has announced that its biennial Men’s Sheds Gathering will take place at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) in August 2020. The event is to be formally titled “The Men’s Sheds Global Gathering 2020”. It aims to be the largest gathering of men’s sheds members in the history of the movement.
As well as delegates from the vast majority of Ireland’s sheds – expected to exceed 500 by August 2020 – representatives from at least three continents are scheduled to attend. As well as visitors from the spiritual home of the men’s sheds movement in Australia, members, supporters and officials from throughout Europe and North America will attend.
The IMSA has become the linchpin of the rapidly developing European men’s sheds movement and supports the development of sheds in Iceland, Finland, Denmark, France and even Estonia – where the city of Tartu recently witnessed the birth of the first men’s shed in the Baltic.
While it is hard to imagine that the turmoil of Brexit will have passed by August 2020, the presence of sheds from both sides of the Irish border and from the UK will be an important symbol of solidarity, friendship and co-operation in the complicated period ahead.
The men’s shed movement in Ireland continues to grow and develop at a phenomenal pace
The launch event at NUIG was attended by university president Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh and Sean Kyne TD, Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the islands – himself an NUIG graduate.
The minister offered warm words of encouragement ahead of the planned event:
“The men’s shed movement in Ireland continues to grow and develop at a phenomenal pace with over 450 communities across the country now benefitting from a men’s shed,” he said. “Tackling social isolation and loneliness, improving health and wellbeing, imparting new skills and developing and nurturing friendships are just some of the benefits which participants gain. Such benefits are why the Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development, supports men’s sheds.
“I am delighted to help launch what will be the largest international men’s shed gathering which will take place next August in NUIG,” the minister continued. “The event will be a great opportunity to help spread the success of the men’s shed experience in Ireland and around the world and I look forward to Galway hosting this global event next summer.”
The programme for the event is still in development, but will offer a full flavour of the global men’s sheds movement and its transformative potential. Further details will be released as this exciting global event takes shape.
Cloughmills Men’s Shed, Co Antrim
As its name suggests, the village of Cloughmills has always been closely associated with its mill, formerly the focal point of the local linen industry. Although no longer a textile town, the Old Mill remains at the centre of community life.
This fantastic picture, submitted by Jim Whitten of the Cloughmills community action team, shows members of Cloughmills Men’s Shed studiously engaged in a cookery course. The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party vibe of the image, with its bright colours and oversized clock, add to its visual punch.
Says Jim: “Cloughmills Mens Shed is part of a community enterprise run by the Cloughmills community action team to regenerate an old flax mill complex to provide health and wellbeing activities for the local community. The main activities at present are carpentry, woodturning and helping out in maintaining a large community allotment garden. Refurbishment work is ongoing to restore more buildings on the site to expand the range of craft and social activities.”