'We're building more than just timber - we're building social lives and laughs'

Westmeath Examiner Community and Sports Awards

Members of the Additional Needs Men’s Shed in Mullingar who were nominated in the Westmeath Examiner Community and Sports Awards 2026 called to our offices at Blackhall last Friday, and brought huge quantities of joy with them.

They weren’t at the event in the Mullingar Park Hotel on September 24, so we had them in for tea, coffee and pastries, and to present the certificate they won in the Club of the Year category, sponsored by the Mullingar Park Hotel.

About 20 people dropped in, including volunteer members and carers, and Bob McDermott, the main volunteer, explained who they are and what they do: “The Mullingar Arch Club helped us set up, and it was a happy accident – in that club there’s a lot of art and things that are put together, and there were a couple of guys who didn’t like sewing, so I got a spare room, and a couple of pallets, and we just started thrashing them – because lads like smashing things up! But they also like building things.”

Bob had his tongue in his cheek with that explanation, but it is an indication of what they do in the club. It began with one man, who had early onset dementia, and has since gone into care and is no longer in the club. But taking inspiration from him, the club pressed on and there are now 35 regular members.

They are with organisations including the Muíriosa Foundation, Praxis Care, Tall Timbers, Galro, and they visit the Additional Needs Men’s Shed on a regular basis.

Bob said: “All our tools have been donated or found, all the timber we use is reclaimed or recycled, nothing goes to waste. We’ve built ourselves a workshop, but it’s mainly about the craic, it’s social, camaraderie, having a good time together before the woodwork even starts.

“Sometimes we build things and they don’t work out, and we start again. Maybe there’s not one right angle in the room, but we’re happy with that...”

“With our prototypes,” chipped in Dale Coyne who was one of the members on the visit last Friday.

Their premises is next to the Arch Club at Columb Barracks, and they work together in insofar as members at the Arch Club will often paint items the men make.

What began as something of an accident is now affiliated to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association as the first one for members with additional needs, and there is a possibility of more now that the Mullingar one is up and running and becoming established.

Bob says they are doing about 15 hours a week and have sessions Monday to Friday. It’s getting busier so they are looking for volunteers to help. “Just a couple of hours, if you have experience, great, we’ll work with that; if you don’t, it’s irrelevant – it’s about getting in and working with the lads and just building more than just pieces of timber. We’re building a social life and laughs, that kind of stuff.”

If you would like to volunteer or find out more, contact Bob McDermott on 087 710 8500.

ONE MAN’S VIEW

Dale Coyne is one of the cheerful members of the Additional Needs Men’s Shed who visited the Westmeath Examiner on Friday. He enjoys working with wood when he’s there, has made items including book stands and repairs and restores other items.

“I’m learning as I’m going,” said Daley “I go three days a week, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. I used to do woodwork in school and it’s in my family blood as well, between me, and my brother and my father.”