Cork well represented in final of Men’s Shed craft exhibition
EVENT HIGHLIGHTED THE HUGE IMPACT MEN’S SHEDS ARE HAVING ACROSS THE COUNTRY
CORK was well represented at the recent 2018 All-Ireland Topline sponsored Shed Series final, the biggest Men’s Shed craft exhibition in the world.
The Rebel county accounted for eight of the 44 finalists from 23 counties short-listed from more than 100 entrants, with clubs from the north and mid- Cork areas well represented at the event at Mullingar’s Belvedere House and Gardens.
The Topline Shed Series saw men’s sheds, including from Ballincollig, Macroom and Charleville, compete for the top prize of €2,000 awarded to the winning entry by a panel of judges headed up by Irish and Munster rugby legend Donncha O’Callaghan.
He was assisted in his role by fellow judges Mairéad Lavery of the Irish Farmers Journal, Éadaoin Keane of Topline, and Barry Sheridan, CEO of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association.
Entrants were invited to reflect upon their shed’s place within their own particular communities, with the these inspiring entries ranging from the thoughtful and elaborate to the quirky and frivolous.
After much deliberation the panel selected the Rostrevor Men’s Shed entry, ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ as the winner, with Cooley Peninsula Men’s Shed picking up a €1,000 prize. The People’s Choice award, as voted for online, went to Killoe Men’s Shed from Co Longford.
Donncha O’Callaghan was effusive in his praise for all of the entries and said he had been enthused by the work taking place at Men’s Sheds across the country on behalf of their respective communities.
“I have visited a number of Men’s Sheds over the past few months and I have been blown away with the camaraderie that you find in each shed. In my opinion it’s the closest thing to a team dressing room. To work and share stories and life experiences among your peers is something to be encouraged,” he said.
Eadaoin Keane, head of marketing at Topline said he had been “hugely impressed” by the skills, craftsmanship and creativity of Irish sheds and their members.
“This competition has really put those skills to the test, but it’s also been moving, meaningful and, above all, fun.”
The Shed Series event capped a memorable fortnight for the initiative with the Irish Men’s Sheds Association honoured with the European Citizens’ Prize, a prestigious award handed out by the European Parliament.
Meanwhile, Cork’s Páirc uí Chaoimh has been announced as the venue for the 2018 Men’s Sheds Gathering, which will take place on September 12/13.
Guest speakers at the event, which will be the largest gathering of Men’s Shed members anywhere in the world this year, will include Donncha O’Callaghan and Irish Olympian David Gillick.
For more information about the event visit www.menssheds.ie.