Our History, Mission & Values
Our History
The Irish Men’s Sheds Association was formed in 2011. However, the men’s shed movement originally started in Australia which inspired their Irish counterparts to begin their own movement.
Having first started in 2009, the men’s sheds movement had its birth in Tipperary where the first men’s shed was formed. Following the formation of the first shed in Ireland, the shed movement began to grow rapidly, with there now being over 400 sheds registered with the Irish Men’s Sheds Association and at least 12,000 men visiting a shed every week.
Following the formation of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association in 2011, the Association began to receive national recognition of their value to Irish society. In 2013, the Irish men’s sheds movement received recognition at the very highest level when President Michael D. Higgins became patron to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association.
The Association has also received governmental and European recognition of their contribution to Ireland. In 2018, the Association received the European Citizen’s Award after being nominated by Irish MEPs.
Most recently, the organisation was named as one of the twelve Sustainable Development Goals Champions by the Irish Government for 2019/2020.
Our Mission & Values
Our Mission
Our mission is to support the development of the burgeoning men’s sheds movement in Ireland. As a grassroots organisation, we believe strongly in the autonomy of each individual shed, as we strive for a future in which all men have the opportunity to maintain and improve their well-being on their own terms and within their own communities.
Our Values
We have created a set of values which we adopted following a national consultation of shed members, these are;
Honesty & Openness
Everything we do is transparent and accountable to the Shedders and to the public.
Equality & Inclusion
Our work creates places of belonging, participatory democracy, mutual respect, companionship and community for all Shedders.
Leadership
We demonstrate and promote leadership in everything we do.
Honesty & Openness
Everything we do is transparent and accountable to the Shedders and to the public.
Equality & Inclusion
Our work creates places of belonging, participatory democracy, mutual respect, companionship and community for all Shedders.
Leadership
We demonstrate and promote leadership in everything we do.