The official opening of the Drogheda Men’s Shed took place on Thursday 14th June 2012 as 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 Community Based Economic and Social Regeneration Programme, draws on the considerable success of Men’s Sheds in Australia and aims to promote a sense of belonging, positive ageing and well-being for those who participate, as well as their partners, families and wider communities.  

Located in Greenhills Industrial Estate, Drogheda, the facility is the second of three Shed’s planned for the County with a view to helping older men who have lived through or have been impacted by the Troubles to connect with their local community. The first Shed was opened in Dundalk in September 2011 and a third facility is planned for the Cooley area. 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.

The Louth Community Men’s Shed project aims to address the high levels of social isolation experienced among many older and retired men across the northeast by providing services that are closely matched to the needs and skills of older men and the communities in which they live.   Through the provision of a diverse range 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.  Activities pursued by participants in each Shed may involve carpentry, woodcarving, computers, pottery, engineering and metal work and horticulture.  

Commenting on the Louth Community Men’s Shed project, Eva Beirne, Project Coordinator, said: “The initiative is making a tremendous contribution to the local community and efforts to promote social inclusion. With over 100 men taking part so far in Louth, they have truly embraced the project with open minds and made it such a success to date. Indeed the Sheds in Dundalk and Drogheda have already played host to other Sheds from north of the border with visits from Belfast, Armagh, Newry to name just a few.”

Ms Beirne adds, “I have no doubt that the benefits for the health and wellbeing of participants will be significant. We care about making this project a success in our community. And it has been made possible through our funders so thank you International Fund for Ireland.”

In attendance at the launch, David Graham, Board Member of the International Fund for Ireland said: “The International Fund for Ireland is proud to be associated with Louth Community Men’s Shed project. We believe this innovative project will have a very positive impact for reconciliation in County Louth by bringing men from the two communities together in a shared space to exchange ideas and learn from each other, leading to reconciliation among the wider community.”

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