Men’s Health Week – One Step at a Time

International Men’s Health Week (MHW) begins on the Monday before Father’s Day and ends on Father’s Day itself.  During 2026, it will run from Monday 15th until Sunday 21st June. MHW is celebrated in many European countries, as well as in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and a number of other places worldwide.  The overall aims of the week are to:

• Heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages.
• Support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices / activities.
• Encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.

But why is there a need to hold a Men’s Health Week? …  Males constitute almost 50% of the population on the island of Ireland and, therefore, deserve to have a gender lens focused upon their specific health needs.  Research clearly shows that these men experience a disproportionate burden of ill-health and die too young …

• Men die younger than women do.
• Males have higher death rates than females for almost all of the leading causes of death and at all ages.
• Men’s poorer lifestyles are responsible for a high proportion of chronic diseases.
• Late presentation to health services can lead to a large number of problems becoming untreatable.

Indeed, while many of these conditions are preventable, their prevalence amongst men may, in fact, rise in the future. Each year, there is also a specific theme for MHW.  During 2026, the theme for the island of Ireland will be ‘One Step at a Time’ and everyone is asked to make progress – not seek perfection!

The celebration of Men’s Health Week on the island of Ireland during 2026 is funded by the Health Service Executive Health and Wellbeing and the Public Health Agency.

Members of Men’s Sheds from fingal during a Mens Sheds Walk & Talk at Newbridge House, Co.Dublin.
To celebrate Men’s Health Week, Men’s Sheds from Dublin and surrounding counties, supported by Fingal County Council and Sport Ireland, met at Newbridge House for a Slí – a Walk and a Talk.
This is one of many events all around Ireland which Men’s Sheds have organised to encourage men to take part “Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Connecting for Health”
Photo: Gareth Chaney

“One step at a time” is the theme of this year’s Men’s Health Week which takes place next week 15th to 21st June. All Sheds are invited to do or participate in a Slí Walk on Wed 17th with Shed members, potential Shed members or supporters of Sheds or they are also invited to attend the following events:

1. Monday 15th 9am to 1pm T O’Higgins Home value & Builders Merchants, Shantalla Galway H91 PK09 HSE Men’s Health Week Launch. Local Sheds are invited to display their products or projects. GalwayBayFM are to broadcast their morning current affairs programme from the venue.
2. Tuesday 16th. 11am Seid na bhFear Dhuiche Sheoigheach Joyce Country Men’s Shed are holding their third annual Slí Walk on Clonbur Woods Park Run F12 XD35. 11.15am GRETB Art class for those with Reduced Mobility and not able to do a walk. 1pm to 4pm Refreshments, talks and social in Tí Bhurca Burkes Clonbur F12 X251
3. Wed 17th. 3 pm to 7pm Aras Uí Mhaoilíosa Renmore Army Barracks Men’s Health Fair. Local Men’s Sheds are also invited to display their products or projects.
4. Thursday 18th. 10am to 12 noon Forum Connemara HQ Men’s Health Event H71 YF77, also home of Marconi Men’s Shed, Clifden. Plus, refreshments afterwards. Members of the Connemara Sheds are invited to attend. Plydon@forumconnemara.ie. Please WhatsApp or text Tom 087 6388886 if you have any queries or your Shed wishes to attend any of the above events. Míle buíochas.

Slí Walk and Talk Events: