Paddy Quigley and Sean Byrne, members of the new Men's Shed in Seatown, Dundalk show some of their woodworking equipment to Rose Mary Farrell and Gwen Lanigan of the International Fund for Ireland.

Over 150 guests attended the official launch of the first of three Men’s Sheds to be opened in Louth this year.  Located at Seatown, Dundalk, this new facility is part of the Louth Community Men’s Shed project administered under the Louth Age Friendly County Initiative.  The project, which is primarily funded by The International Fund for Ireland (IFI), under its Building Foundations’ Community Based Economic and Social Regeneration Programme, draws on the considerable success of Men’s Sheds in Australia, and is designed to help connect older men with their community.  

Cutting the ribbon at the official opening event were special guests, Barry Golding, founder of the Men’s Shed initiative in Australia and Michael O’ Muircheartaigh, recently retired GAA commentator for RTE.  

The Louth Community Men’s Shed project aims to address the high levels of social isolation particularly experienced by many older, retired men, across the northeast, in relation to accessing health and other important community services. Three Community Men’s Sheds will now be strategically located across the northeast, covering Dundalk, Drogheda and the Cooley area, and will provide services that are closely matched to the needs and skills of older men and the communities in which they live.  Activities pursued by participants in each Shed may involve carpentry, woodcarving, engineering, metal work, horticulture etc.    

Through the provision of activities, which promote a sense of belonging, the Louth Community Men’s Shed project aims to achieve outcomes of positive ageing and well-being for those men who participate, as well as their partners, families and communities.  

Partners on the Louth Community Men’s Shed project include the Netwell Centre, which is based in Dundalk Institute of Technology and Louth County Council.
 
In attendance at the launch, International Fund for Ireland Board member, Rose-Mary Farrell said: “We believe that the Men’s Sheds project will have a very positive impact for reconciliation in County Louth. It will bring men from the two communities together, in a safe, shared space. It will help them to see the myriad of things which unite us, which far outweighs that which divides. And it will bring together young and older men, to share their stories, skills and knowledge.”

Ms Farrell also expressed a collective thanks to the international donors who have supported the work of the International Fund for Ireland for almost twenty-five years: namely, the United States of America, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Commenting on the Louth Community Men’s Shed project, Eva Beirne, Project Coordinator, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the turnout here today and with the interest in the Men’s Shed Project.  In the short time we have been here, we have had 26 men who have said they want to come along and get involved.  The Men’s Shed will make a positive contribution to the local community and to efforts to promote social inclusion.”

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