Huge array of events planned for Men's Health Week 2026 in Offaly areas
A huge array of activities has been organised for this June's Offaly’s Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2026.
A huge array of activities has been organised for this June's Offaly’s Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2026.
The programme was officially launched in Tullamore Library, with organisations across County Offaly coming together to promote better health and wellbeing for men and boys.
International Men’s Health Week always begins on the Monday before Father’s Day and ends on Father’s Day itself. During 2026, the week will run from Monday 15th June until Sunday 21st June.
Celebrated across Europe, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and many other countries worldwide, Men’s Health Week aims to:
Heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages.
Support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices and activities.
Encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.
The theme for Men’s Health Week 2026 on the island of Ireland is ‘One Step at a Time’, encouraging everyone to focus on progress rather than perfection.
Men and boys are being encouraged to set simple, realistic and practical goals to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
Men’s Health Week provides an important opportunity for health professionals, service providers, sporting bodies, community groups, employers, policy makers, media organisations, churches and individuals to encourage men and boys to take better care of their health and seek support or treatment at an early stage.
In Offaly, a dedicated Men’s Health Week Working Group was established in February 2026 with a clear remit to plan and coordinate activities throughout the week.
The group brings together a broad range of organisations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of men and boys across the county.
Participating organisations include HSE Health and Wellbeing, HSE Suicide Resource Office, Offaly Local Development Company, Mental Health Ireland, LGBTQI+ Midlands, An Garda Síochána, Offaly Volunteer Centre, Offaly County Council, Offaly Sports Partnership, Offaly Library Services, Children and Young Persons Service Committee and Accessible Counselling Tullamore.
A full schedule of events has been developed and will be promoted through the working group’s social media platforms and the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland website at www.mhfi.org
Highlights from this year’s programme include:
Dips for Health at Banagher Pool on Saturday 13th June which promotes connection, community and the benefits of blue spaces.
Drop-in cafés
Kayaking events
Film night screenings
Health talks
Social walks
And many more community-based activities throughout the county.
Organisers are encouraging men across Offaly to take part, connect with others and make positive steps towards improving their health and wellbeing.
Speaking at the launch on Monday morning last, Caroline Brickland, health promotion and resilience officer with the Health Service Executive, said the week was being marked across most of the developed world, including European and the United States of America.
"This week gives everyone the opportunity to encourage men and boys to take better care of their health.”
"The reality is clear that too many mem delay seeking help on health issues and push through the pan. We need to change that attitude.”
"We need to create an environment where looking after your health is seen as a strength rather than a failure,” stressed Ms Brickland.
Louise Larkin, from Offaly Local Development Company, one of the groups involved in organising events for the week, said organiser had really put their shoulders to the wheel to organiser a wide variety of activities scattered throughout the county.
"I see this week going from strength to strength in the future,” she said.
A copy of the full schedule of events can be obtained by contacting Offaly Local Development Company on 057 935 2467 or by email at [email protected].
You can also call into your local library to pick up a hard copy, or visit The Men’s Health Forum in Ireland’s website www.mhfi.org