A community-based project offering a hub for the men of Athenry where they can come together to learn, talk and share skills and make long-lasting friendships, Athenry Men's Shed proves that it is Athenry's people who make the town special.
An established, welcoming and thriving community in its own right, for the some 35 members of Athenry Men's Shed, it has become a vital part of daily life, providing a social and creative outlet that is open to men of all ages. Situated just a five minute drive from the town square in the Teagasc campus, Mellows Complex, Athenry Men's Shed's is a bustling hive of activity.
Boasting a variety of power tools and machinery, a gym complete with an adapted recumbent bicycle and rowing machines alongside a treadmill, a polytunnel and a well nurtured garden named after one of the branch's founding members, Sonny Murray, the undoubted heart of Athenry Men's Shed is its tea room.
"We spend more time in here talking and having tea than we do in the workshop," said Jim, his point proven instantly by noises of agreement coming from the members who were already gathered in the tea room, drawn in by the warm room, the conversation and the biscuits.
This camaraderie is poured into the very foundations of the Athenry Men's Shed, be it in the decorations and pictures of its members and their achievements on the walls, or in the rhythm of the constantly flowing banter, it is easy to see the social benefits its provides to its members.
"If I had my way we would be in here chatting all the time," said the group's most senior member, Cyril Bowman, a retired architect who was responsible for designing some of the most cherished buildings in Galway. This gets a laugh from the 15 or so members gathered around the table.
Turning a hen house into a Men's Shed
Looking at the warm, cosy tearoom, it is hard to imagine it as anything other than a social hub full of laughter and conversation, but in reality Athenry Men's Shed's development is a relatively new one, with the organisational branch founded just seven years ago in 2017. The origin of Athenry Men's Shed is attributed largely to one man, John 'Sonny' Murray, known to members as the 'lynchpin of the shed' since it was established.
Originally an Australian organisation, Ireland was an early, and eager, adopter of the concept, becoming the country with the highest number of sheds per capita over the course of 15 years. Today, there are more than 400 sheds registered with the Irish Men's Sheds Association, culminating in more than 12,000 members who visit their local shed every week.
Recognising the need for a local Men's Shed branch in his local community, Sonny was determined to find a suitable premises in which men could meet, socialise and work on projects while in an environment which fostered belonging, respect and companionship. This perseverance and determination paid off, and with the thanks of local businesses and organisations like Galway Rural Development and Teagasc, as well as the national network of Men's Sheds, the shed was transformed.
"This used to be a hen shed, but now it is a Men's Shed," explained Athenry Men's Shed organiser, Jim Reidy with a laugh while leading a guided tour of the group's facility during my visit last Friday.
Sadly, Sonny passed away in August 2020, but his dedication and love for Athenry Men's Shed lives on in each of its members. Remembering Sonny after his passing, members of Athenry Men's Shed paid homage to their former leader on the organisation's Facebook page, writing, "As Chairman Sonny lived the leadership role every day by being an ‘on the ground’ leader with his great ability to organise and manage the growing membership and improving the shed facilities.
"Athenry Men’s Shed will always remember Sonny for his passion and enthusiasm in the men’s shed movement. The membership now tries to pull itself together in his memory and continue the work that he so enthusiastically started just a few short years ago."
Providing an outlet for members
In the four years since, the existing members of Athenry Men's Shed have made good on their promise, continuing to nurture and grow the group in the same manner of the well cared for plants in 'Sonny's Garden', which is tended by member Mick Delaney. The results of this work have been life changing for its members, providing a much needed social outlet for men.
"It took me a while to come out and see the shed for myself," recalled Athenry Men's Shed treasurer, Martin O'Grady. "One day, after I saw an article about Athenry Men's Shed in the paper, I decided then and there that I would go out and just see what was going on and what it was like.
"The first person I met was Sonny, and the rest is history."
'Men don't talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder'
For members of Athenry Men's Shed, the network's motto of 'Men don't talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder' is undoubtedly true. Particularly for older men, who after a lifetime of working alongside other men find themselves at a loss following retirement.
"I will often get calls from men's wives, or children, asking me 'how can he get involved in the shed?' or 'how can my husband become a member?," said Jim, adding, "And overall there is a lot of interest from local men, but whether it is due to nerves or fear or a misconception about what we do in the shed, some will never come in."
"Men would often ask me about the shed, and when I ask them if they would be interested in joining they say 'No, I couldn't. I would be no good at working and making things', because they think that we are all just working with tools and on projects - and it couldn't be further from the truth."
For member, John Smythe, the shed provided an invaluable opportunity to meet new people and make friends when he moved to Athenry three years ago.
"I moved here three years ago and knew no-one," said Smythe, adding, "I contacted Jim Reidy about the shed, and he took charge of the situation, calling out to pick me up and bring me in. Only for that I wouldn't have had the courage to come in. It has been a wonderful three years."
Courage to join
For longstanding members, the anxious nervousness of potential members are in the past - though not forgotten - but for the shed's newest members, John Donnellon and Albert Kilkenny, these feelings are in the not so distant past.
"Now that I am here, I think it is a wonderful place," shared Albert, adding, "It is a great break and a place to go in the middle of the week and chat."
For John Donnellon, the shed has provided an invaluable opportunity for him to not only join the group and socialise, but to also work with the undisputed lead craftsman of the Athenry branch, Jim Sheridan.
"I joined a year ago after my wife suggested it, and it has been brilliant. There is great support for members from the administrators and I enjoy working alongside the real craftsman amongst us, Jim Sheridan."
Crafts fundraising
Athenry Men's Shed is generously supported by a variety of local organisations and businesses, with organisations like Galway Rural Development and Galway Local Enhancement Programme (LCDC ) supporting the shed's endeavours through grants and funding, with Galway LCDC part-funding the Men's Shed gym. In addition to local enterprise schemes, Teagasc provides a huge amount of support both materially and through the establishment and further development of the shed.
This support comes in a wide variety of forms, the most important of which for the shed's craftsmen, is the donations of wood and pallets. These nondescript pieces of wood are transformed by the expert hands of the shed's lead craftsman, and his fellow wood workers, into high quality furniture pieces, decorations and even a St Patrick's Day Athenry Men's Shed float which takes part in the the annual Athenry St Patrick's Day parade.
With Christmas soon upon us, the team of craftsmen in the shed have created a range of wonderful Christmas decorations, which will be available at the Athenry Christmas Craft Fair, which will take place in Athenry Community Hall on November 30, from 10am until 4pm. Well crafted and sold to raise funds for a very worthy cause, an Athenry Men's Shed creation should take pride of place in homes near and far this festive season.
Join up and see for yourself
Open three days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am until 3pm, Athenry Men's Shed offers a variety of benefits to potential members, both socially and creatively. In addition to daily activities, there are a number of activities organised by member Paddy Lyons, which are both engaging and educational, these include Easter Commemorations, trips to Ahascragh Distillery and Glasnevin Cemetary and supporting local events like the Athenry Agricultural show.
This Christmas, swap loneliness and isolation for a feeling of kinship and community and talk shoulder to shoulder with the men of Athenry Men's Shed.
To learn more, visit the shed yourself (Teasasc, Ballygarraun West, Athenry, Co Galway, H65 R718 ) or call organisers; Jim Reidy (087 2242 284 ) / Martin O'Grady (085 1742 547 )
