Birr Men Together to host Open Day as part of Vintage Week celebration

Ladies and Gentlemen, you are invited for a relaxed mid-morning get-together as “Birr Men Together” holds their first Open Day.

The event will take place on Friday, August 7, at The Presbytery, John’s Mall, Birr (R42 T284) from 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

The Open Day will give the general public a chance to come along and meet the members, learn more about this community based group and find out what “Birr Men Together” is all about.

While you enjoy a cup of tea of coffee why not learn about the wide range of activities we organise throughout the year and discover the benefits of becoming part of a friendly and welcoming group.

Men’s Sheds in general are independent units which allow each to differ from the next. It was decided that the Birr group would be purely social allowing our members to enjoy a varied selection of programmes throughout the year.

The story of “Birr Men Together” began following “Covid 19” when a number of participants had recently completed a twelve-week MenPower programme continued to meeting regularly resulting in the establishment of a rejuvenated Men’s Shed in Birr.

Organised by Declan Costello and Offaly Local Development Company (OLDC), it focused on men’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Holding its first organisational meeting in February 2025, the group affiliated to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association shortly afterwards.

As word spread throughout the community, membership began to increase steadily resulting in the need for a larger premise. Fr. Arnold Rosney, Fr. Tom Hogan and Birr Parish facilitated the group by generously allowing us the use of The Presbytery Basement.

Activities are chosen by the members with typical examples being health and wellbeing programmes, cookery courses, talks by guest speakers, intergenerational events with local schools.

Other typical activities include, bowling, pitch and putt, day trips, archery, team building exercises, quizzes and social outings, participation in the Irish Men’s Sheds Association Sheds for Life programme to name but a few.

Film and radio programmes are also to the fore. Our first presentation was a Creative Ireland funded film by artists Hazel Greene and Christor Keaveney featuring “Birr Men Together” as it explores the tradition of the Irish Rambling House.

It was shown in Birr Theatre on Tuesday, August 4 at 12 noon during Vintage Week. There will also be a showing of the film during Heritage Week on Thursday, August 20 at 11.00am in Birr Library and again during Culture Night on September 18 in Birr Theatre.

These activities encourage members to remain active, involved and connected while having fun together.

Recently, in the traditional setting of Pat, Ann and Ann-Marie Egan’s farmhouse in Carrigeen, Fivealley we were interviewed for an upcoming broadcast of the RTE 1 programme CountryWide which will air at the regular time of 8.10am on a Saturday morning in mid to late August.

One of the highlights for our members was to be asked to give the keynote presentation to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht staff in Tullamore regarding the benefits of being members of “Birr Men Together” and Men’s Sheds in general.

This offered a great opportunity to highlight activities on the ground to the Department and with the interest in the Questions and Answers session afterwards, the presentation was well received.

The group has built strong partnerships with organisations including the Laois Offaly Education Training Board (LOETB), Offaly Local Development Company (OLDC), Birr Library, Birr Outdoor Pursuits Centre, Offaly PPN and other local community organisations.

Funding, as every group knows is so important and thankfully with support from our local Councillors and T.D.’s, Offaly County Council, Birr Municipal District, Local Enhancement Programme, Creative Ireland, Age & Opportunity Scheme and assistance from other sources have been very beneficial.

A word of thanks also to Deidre and the staff of Spar/Corrib Oil, Eden Road, Birr.

Today, “Birr Men Together” is a thriving community group which brings members into a friendly, welcoming and supportive environment.

Whether you are retired, living alone, new to the area or simply looking to meet new people, you will receive a warm welcome.

The weekly meeting occurs every Tuesday at 11.00 a.m. in the Basement Room of The Presbytery, John’s Mall, Birr. (R42 T284)

The group welcomes all men aged 18 years and over from Birr and the surrounding area, regardless of background or personal circumstances.

Respect, inclusion and confidentiality are central to everything we do, and every member is encouraged to participate at a level that suits them.

We also encourage family members and friends to let the men in their lives know about “Birr Men Together”. A simple conversation can make a real difference to someone who may benefit from friendship, companionship and becoming part of a supportive local organisation.

If you would like to know more, why not visit our Open Day on Friday, August 7. We look forward to meeting you and showing you what “Birr Men Together” has to offer.

There will also be an opportunity on the day to donate to the Birr branch of St. Vincent de Paul to assist them in the good work they continue to do in the locality.