Mayfield Men’s Shed has vital role in community of Cork's northside

MAYFIELD Men’s Shed is just one example of what has been an ever-growing movement focusing on the promotion of men’s health and well-being over the last few years.

The Irish Men’s Sheds Association was formed in 2011, with Mayfield Men’s Shed one of more than 400 sheds that are registered with the Irish Men’s Sheds Association.

The Men’s Shed movement originally started in Australia, which inspired their Irish counterparts to begin their own movement.

Following the formation of the first Men’s Shed in Ireland in Tipperary in 2011, the movement began to grow rapidly.

There are now estimated to be least 12,000 men visiting a Men’s Shed every single week across Ireland.

Men’s Sheds, such as the one in Mayfield, have become a crucial element of the community infrastructure in Ireland.

The most striking element of the Mayfield Men’s Shed is the community atmosphere and friendly warmth which greets someone upon arrival.

This is what is most evident in the room from the moment this reporter arrives at 10 on a July Tuesday morning.

The overwhelming feeling in the room is about the positive and significant impact the Mayfield Men’s Shed has had on their lives.

As well as having a cup of tea and a chat, the members of Mayfield Men’s Shed undertake a variety of activities such as woodwork and arts and crafts. They also do things such as making items for local Christmas markets and doing practical jobs for people in the community.

The Mayfield Men’s Shed has a choir that sings at nursing homes where they visit, while the group also performs at various events in the local community.

In 2019, the Mayfield Men’s Shed choir featured on the Ireland’s Got Talent television programme.

One of the first men to greet The Echo is Noel Keohane, the chairman of the Mayfield group.

“It has changed loads of their lives big time,” said Mr Keohane.

“What I enjoy most is the company and the craic. We open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. We get two Echos and two Irish Examiners every Monday morning free of charge.

“So the lads come in and we have a read and a chat. It is excellent and I look forward to it so much.”

Mayfield Men’s Shed also organise outings and day trips for members.

They have previously gone to Dáil Éireann, while there are upcoming trips to Glasnevin Cemetery and the Croke Park museum planned.

Regardless of the activity andwhatever somebody’s interests may be, there is always something to be done.

Spending time in the company of the members following their weekly meeting, it becomes clear that these men at Mayfield Men’s Shed are very much like a band of brothers.

It is an environment that is great for mental health and wellbeing, with the informal and non judgmental setting encouraging the men to talk more openly about personal issues.

Mr Keohane discusses how Mayfield Men’s Shed helps to combat social isolation and loneliness.

“We have had a few men there now and their wives have passed away,” he says.

“They joined here and it made a huge impact on their life.

“One of the lads, and he would be the main guy in the choir, he actually took early retirement to look after his wife.

“She passed away last year. I think he could see that we were all behind him here. So it helps that way a great deal.”

“I go the pictures during the week because I like going to the pictures and I go for walks. But they are very solitary things,” adds Men’s Shed member Mick O’Riordan.

“Coming to the Men’s Shed is a much more socialable thing to do. I think it is a very healthy thing to do — to socialise.

“The openness and the companionship is what really made me want to stay. It is something that I look forward to every week.”

The consensus among the members is that coming here has been a fantastic addition to their weekly routine.

As The Echo is given a tour of the facility, Jim Cotter discusses the impact that joining the group has had on his life.

“I saw an advert for it on the paper,” he says.

“It is the best thing I have ever done, to come here.

“They are the greatest you could ever get and the best friends you could have. If you are sick, they will come to you, to see if they can do anything for you.

“I enjoy the craic and all the banter that we have here. But the help you get is the best you could ever get.”

“I would recommend it 100% ” adds another member, Sean Murphy.

“We talk a lot about mental health. It is brilliant. Generally you form friendships and look after one another.

“For example, if I didn’t show up for two weeks, they would be onto me double quick or I always would keep an eye on the other person.”

John O’Mahony is a former chairman of the shed and is someone who also very much echoes the sentiments of his fellow members.

“We are here for each other always. We help each other. Of course, we have disagreements, that is life. At the Men’s Shed you have your own voice. You can say what you want. They mean an awful lot to me, and they are great friends to me. When I was stuck many’s a time, they were always there to help me out.”

For anyone who is considering joining a Men’s Shed such as Mayfield’s, or anywhere else, Mr Keohane had the following message:

“You could talk to someone and they say the Men’s Shed isn’t for me. How do you know? Come in, it may be for you and if it is not for you, that’s fine.

“But in general, anybody who does come in here, they stay. So we must be doing something right!”

Over the past decade, Men’s Sheds have become a vital part of the community infrastructure in Ireland and it would appear that Mayfield Men’s Shed is also set to remain a firm part of the fabric of the local area, for many years to come.