Meet the Team
Our Board
The Irish Men’s Sheds Association is both a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee (CLG). As a CLG, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association is obliged to comply with company law and best practice in the fields of governance, financial probity and transparency.
The board of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association acts in the interests of sheds and members nationwide, and all its actions and processes are designed to advance the cause and welfare of the men’s sheds movement. The board also bears certain legal responsibilities in relation to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association CLG (the legal entity which manages the affairs and finances of the men’s sheds association).
The board is headed by a Chairperson, elected by board members and subject to re-election every 12 months. A Secretary and Treasurer are also elected on an annual basis. Members of the IMSA board may serve for a maximum of six continuous years.
Board members are recruited in a variety of ways. A certain number of seats are set aside for representatives from the sheds themselves, elected on a province-by-province basis. Board members are also recruited from other fields, in order to bring relevant expertise and experience to the board for the benefit of men’s sheds nationally.
In addition to their legal responsibilities and oversight role, the board of the IMSA is deeply engaged with sheds at local, regional and national level, and committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for sheds and members across all of Ireland.
Board members
Eamonn O'Connor
Chairperson
Eamonn is vice-chairman of Rostrevor Men’s Shed, a former Shed Support Volunteer and a community activist. He is a small business owner and a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and Queen’s University Belfast in Engineering & Business Management. He currently works in healthcare. Eamonn was nominated onto the board in 2019 by a number of sheds in Co. Down and Armagh.
Alan Tobin
Board Member (Leinster)
Alan is a founding member of the Ashbourne Men’s Shed in Co. Meath. He represents the Leinster region on the board. A proud board member, he joined the team in 2017. Alan is also Chair of the Northern Ireland committee. Alan has a wealth of experience in community development work and has assisted IMSA in finding new support and sponsors that help the organisation financially to promote men’s wellbeing and healthy living programs.
Ray Harte
Board Member
Ray is founder and chairman of Portlaoise Men’s Shed and former IMSA Shed Advocate. Ray comes from an engineering and technical sales background. He has extensive involvement and knowledge in community project development. Former chairman of a local disability group, was responsible for the setting up of a collaborative subsidised therapy programme for children and adults with intellectual disability and the project management of funding streams. He is currently a member and representative on Laois PPN ( Public Participation Network ) and also a private sector representative on Laois LCDC ( Local County Development Committee. He has training in the area of disability awareness and advocacy as part of his membership of Partners in Policymaking and disability steering groups.
Catherine Taylor
Board Member
Mark Gibbons
Board Member
Mark Gibbons is founding member of the Rostrevor Men’s Shed Co Down and has also helped to establish and set up three additional Sheds within his area of South Down.
Mark fell in love with the Men’s Shed Project and ethos about 7 years ago and he has been hooked ever since. He believes that a well run Men’s Shed has the potential to inspire a village, town and even a city and more importantly, it can save lives if managed correctly.
Born in Co Galway, Mark has lived the vast majority of his life in the North. He is married to Claire and they have a wonderful daughter Sophie who keeps them on their toes. He is also a local Councillor and has a real interest in community initiatives, mental health and wellbeing.
Mark says that one thing is for certain, no matter what happens in his life, he will forever be a Shedder.
Patrick Cummins
Secretary
Paul O'Grady
Board Member
Our Staff
Enda Egan
Chief Executive Officer
Enda was appointed CEO of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association in February 2021.
Prior to leading the IMSA team, the Offaly native had already amassed over 22 years’ experience in the community and voluntary sector.
16 of those years were at CEO level across three organisations; Inclusion Ireland, the Offaly Centre for Independent Living and The Carer’s Association.
Enda holds qualifications in Community Development Practices from NUI Galway, and Community Workplace Management from the National College of Ireland.
Sandra Purtell
Finance & Administration Officer
Sandra has been a member of the IMSA team since 2015. Sandra has worked within the community sector for 28 years and has experience working across all the diverse groups in this sector. Prior to joining the Irish Men’s Sheds Association Sandra worked with the Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership for 10 years on both LDSIP and LCDP programmes. Sandra has also worked with the Dublin Employment Pact, which was set up under an EU-supported initiative to tackle employment and development issues in the Dublin Region.
Lianne McAree Murphy
Health Promotion Officer
Prior to joining the Irish Men’s Shed Association in 2019, Lianne worked as a Health Promotion Facilitator with Cavan Monaghan Healthy Families. Before this, Lianne worked as an Administrator in a suicide prevention charity. Lianne holds a BA in English and History from National University of Maynooth, an MSc in Exercise and Nutrition Science from the University of Chester and a Diploma in Sports Nutrition from the International Olympic Committee.
Aisling McGrath
Health and Wellbeing Researcher
Aisling came on board the IMSA team in 2018 as our health and wellbeing researcher, with an esteemed background in public health and health promotion. Aisling’s specific interests are in the areas of; men’s health, physical activity, mental health and wellbeing promotion as well as advocacy work and addressing health inequalities. Her work with the IMSA involves the implementation and evaluation of the ‘Sheds for Life’ health and wellbeing initiative. Aisling is currently completing her PhD in this area, funded by the Irish Research Council.
Eva Beirne
National Volunteer Coordiantor
Eva has been with the IMSA team since 2016. Eva comes with a wealth of experience, having previously worked in community development and the business sector. Before joining IMSA, Eva worked for the leading research and community development centre, the Netwell Centre in Dundalk Institute of Technology, where she spearheaded the development of sheds in the North East Region of Ireland. During this time, Eva also served on the board of IMSA, serving one three year term.
Paul Newman
Administrative Support Officer
Paul Newman joined the IMSA in September 2015. Before joining Paul was on a TÚS programme with the Ballymun/Whitehall Partnership where he ran the Care & Repair Department, providing a gardening and maintenance service to older people living in the area. Paul has responsibility for managing the shed registrations of the association, as well as the provision of support and advice to sheds nationwide.
Shauna Mc Hugh
Communications Officer
Shauna joined the IMSA team in July 2021, having previously worked as a news journalist at KCLR 96 FM, the local radio station for Carlow and Kilkenny. Shauna has vast knowledge and experience of the Irish media landscape, as notable mentions in her journalistic career include working for RTÉ on their regional coverage of the 2020 General Election and being published in The Irish Times. Shauna holds a BA degree in English, History and Journalism from NUI Galway.