Kellie-Anne Lee visited one of Ireland’s numerous Men’s Sheds and came away with a new understanding and appreciation for the healing power of a cup of tea
It was a bright Thursday evening when I pulled into the gravel driveway of a tucked-away workshop in the heart of Offaly. From the outside, the Men’s Shed looked like many others around Ireland – simple, practical, and quiet. But step inside, and you discover something far greater than timber and tools. You find laughter, warmth, and community.
I was welcomed with nods and smiles. Someone handed me a mug of tea before I’d even properly introduced myself. A large round table, scattered with mugs, scones and papers. The kettle boiled in the background while the conversation flowed.
My visit was intended to learn about the role the Shed plays in the lives of the men who gather there. What I came away with was a deep appreciation for something uniquely Irish: a space where men, many of them retired or semi-retired, come together not just to build or fix, but to connect.
A place to belong
“I wasn’t able to work around the house, had nothing to do. I went down to see what was going on. That’s how I came into it,’’ says one member.
“I retired and went down to the Shed, and never looked back!” said another with a grin, to general laughter. It was a theme I heard again and again: the transition from full-time work to retirement can be jarring, but the Shed offers purpose, rhythm, and camaraderie.
Some came through word of mouth, others by accident. One man had been laid off and was looking for something to do with his time. Another had heard chatter over a garden fence. Many admitted they hadn’t really known what to expect – and were surprised to find, not a place for jobs, but a place for joy.
Kieran Turley, is the founder of Belmont Men’s Shed and he shared how he had started it with a couple of friends.
“The sad thing about it is, the two lads who were with me – they’re gone now,” he added quietly, nodding toward the graveyard next door. “But that’s life. And the Shed goes on.”
No pressure, just people
There’s no clocking in or attendance sheet.
“You come when you can, and if you can’t, no one’s asking questions,” said Kieran. “If you have something on with your family or a neighbour, you don’t go to the Shed – and that’s fine. You’re not tied down.’’
It’s an open-door policy, shaped by empathy.
Some come for the woodwork, others for the tea. “It’s not all about work,” said Belmont local Noel Harte. “It’s the social. It’s about the kitchen, the chats, the tea bags.” Everyone laughed in agreement. In fact, one joked, “The most used tool in the Shed is the kettle.”
More than a hobby
The Shed isn’t just a hobby hub. It’s a lifeline. Members spoke of how the Shed helped them through health issues, grief, and isolation.
“Some people would need a Shed more than others… anyone lacking in social activity – they need it for their mental health,” one person confided.
Recent workshops covered topics like cooking, mental health, diabetes, and cancer awareness. They even do a weekly walk for those who prefer fresh air over sawdust. “There’s something for everyone,” said Kieran. “Even if it’s just sitting and listening.”
Crafting connection
The group has taken on everything from canoe building to crafting school planter boxes and creating a replica of an old phone box for the local St. Patrick’s Parade. Some have even become amateur beekeepers thanks to a Shed project.
“We wouldn’t have done that if we hadn’t met here,” said Martin, another member. “It’s mad, really.”
They don’t advertise or seek the spotlight. They simply get on with it. Occasionally, the community reaches out – a school looking for help, a neighbour needing a hand. And they always show up.
The heart of the Shed
Before I left, the tea had just been poured and someone suggested a quick game of Boccia — a sport I knew vaguely through my grandmother, who had travelled the world playing bowls. They play it here in the Shed every week, they told me, and before I knew it, I was playing on the blue team.
I wasn’t great — in fact, I was pretty terrible — but the lads were full of encouragement. That’s what makes this place what it is. It’s about making time, making space, and making each other feel seen and valued.
Someone later nodded toward the corner where the kettle sat, surrounded by chairs and laughter. It was certainly time for a cuppa.
“The most important tool in the Shed is the kettle,” he said, and everyone nodded.
On this visit, I’d brought along an Uccello Kettle – designed to tip and pour safely for anyone with a weak grip, reduced hand strength, shaky hands or limited mobility. Noel mentioned how it might be perfect for some of their regulars who lives with Parkinson’s, arthritis and carpal tunnel. It sparked a brief but thoughtful chat about how small changes in design can make daily life that little bit easier – and how even a cuppa can be more accessible with the right tools.
Where the stories start
It’s not just about tea. It’s about the pause. The conversation. The ritual of coming together with no agenda beyond company.
As Noel Harte put it, “We’ve had lads come here who were talking to no one. Then they sit for tea, and the stories start. That’s where the healing is.’’
It’s about making space for stories, for advice, for jokes – and sometimes, for silence. Whether you’re sanding down wood, playing Boccia, or just enjoying the banter, it all starts and ends with the kettle. It’s the unofficial heart of the Shed.
With Father’s Day around the corner, that message feels especially poignant. These men may not say much about what the Shed means to them, but you see it in the way they show up for each other — week after week, cup after cup.
I left that evening with a taste for Boccia, a full heart, and the quiet certainty that what’s built in places like this can’t be measured in nails or timber — but in care, community, and conversation.
Quickfire Q&A with Kellie-Anne
What inspired you to write this piece about Men’s Sheds?
“I decided to give them a kettle for the shed after hearing their motto: “The most important tool in the shed is the kettle.” Since quite a few would be retired and can struggle with things as they get older, I thought it would be a great gift for all the men in the shed.”
What are the most recent statistics regarding older men’s mental health in Ireland?
- Approximately 22% of men aged 65+ in Ireland experience depression.
- Around 41% of older adults (65+) report symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety.
- Approximately 31% of older adults report feeling lonely, and 33% feel isolated.
- In 2021, 12.7% of all suicide deaths in Ireland were among those aged 65 and over.
What is the average age of the men who go to the Sheds?
“On average, it is men aged between 60-70 years of age. In Belmont, we had men from their 50s to their 80s.”
If someone is isolated and not computer literate, how do they get in touch with their local Men’s Shed?
“From my chat with the lads in Belmont, many came to it via word of mouth or recommendation. They heard the locals talking about it and popped in to see what it was like. Others had friends who, in their words, “dragged them along” and they stayed after that. But for someone who wouldn’t be great with tech they do have a phone number and the team at the HQ is lovely and helpful – the number is 0818 900 800. When I rang them to find a local shed, they told me all about them.
To find out more about Men’s Sheds in your area, visit menssheds.ie.
To find out about Women’s Sheds in your area, click here.
