Celebrating a decade of friendship, skills-sharing and community service, Rostrevor Men’s Shed has evolved into a vibrant centre tackling social isolation and fostering local heritage, marked by a well-attended anniversary coffee morning and MP Chris Hazzard’s visit.
It was a celebration of community spirit and creativity on a bright Saturday morning as Rostrevor Men’s Shed achieved a significant milestone: its 10th anniversary. With blue skies offering a perfect backdrop, members, families, and friends gathered for a well-attended coffee morning filled with laughter, fresh coffee, and home-baked treats. The event, a testament to years of camaraderie and personal growth, showcased an impressive array of cakes, buns, and apple tarts, with contributions also flowing in from local bakers, adding to the delightful menu.
Guests included fellow members from neighbouring Men’s Sheds, demonstrating a strong network of support within the region. The welcoming atmosphere encouraged many to enjoy an array of refreshments while exploring the renovated facility, which features workshops, raised garden beds, a polytunnel, and outdoor seating—an inviting hub made vibrant by collective effort and dedication.
Among the attendees was Chris Hazzard MP, whose visit underscored the event’s significance. He brought with him a homemade rhubarb tart, which soon became a highlight of the morning. His participation, coupled with his encouraging words, reflected the Shed’s impact on community engagement and cohesion.
Established in November 2015, Rostrevor Men’s Shed emerged from the desire to provide local men with a supportive environment to gather, share skills, and connect outside traditional pub or sports club settings. Over the years, the Shed has evolved into much more than merely a workshop, boasting over 50 active members who partake in varied activities, from woodworking to gardening and community service initiatives. Their contributions include organizing river and beach cleans, crafting bespoke items for local groups, and marshalling at community events—all efforts underscoring the Shed’s role in fostering local solidarity.
The transformation of a disused council premises into such a thriving facility exemplifies grassroots community spirit. Recently refurbished, it now better serves as a community centre, enriching its offerings and enhancing its role as a focal point for local engagement. Chairman Gerry McCormack articulated this sentiment effectively, stating, “This Shed has become so much more than just a place to do a bit of woodwork or gardening. It’s a place of friendship, purpose and belonging.” His reflections highlighted the deeply personal impact the Shed has had on many, especially in addressing issues of loneliness, retirement transition, and social isolation.
Various projects highlight the Shed’s commitment to local history and community welfare. Notably, their collaboration with the Church of Ireland in 2018 involved creating perspex figures to honour local men from Rostrevor who lost their lives in World War I. Funded by the Murlough Foundation, this initiative not only provided valuable skills but also sought to enrich participants’ sense of purpose and community connection.
Rostrevor Men’s Shed stands as a beacon of what can be accomplished through shared purpose and mutual support. As they celebrate a decade of achievements, the doors remain open to all men over 18—regardless of background—inviting them to join in this enriching venture and paving the way for another vibrant decade ahead.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.outlooknews.co.uk/news/2025/06/12/gallery/rostrevor-men-s-shed-celebrate-10th-anniversary-57977/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://communityfoundationni.org/case_studies/rostrevor-mens-shed/ – Rostrevor Men’s Shed, established in November 2015, provides local men with a space to engage in various projects at their own pace, without the need to join a pub or sports club. Over time, the Shed has grown to over 50 members and transformed a disused council premises into a thriving hub featuring workshops, a garden allotment, and outdoor seating areas. The Shed plays a vital role in the community, participating in activities such as river and beach cleans, event marshalling, graffiti removal, community planting, and crafting bespoke items for local groups. Members engage in activities like gardening, woodworking, metalwork, informative talks, away days, and community work, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging. The Shed is open to all men over 18, irrespective of nationality or religion, and has been recognized for its contributions to the community, including hosting a Gathering of Northern Sheds. ([communityfoundationni.org](https://communityfoundationni.org/case_studies/rostrevor-mens-shed/?utm_source=openai))
- https://communityfoundationni.org/news/rostrevor-mens-shed-the-murlough-foundation/ – In October 2018, Rostrevor Men’s Shed collaborated with the Church of Ireland to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day. The project involved creating 21 perspex figures to honor the men from the area who did not survive World War One. Funding from the Murlough Foundation enabled the Shed to purchase tools for this project, as well as for other woodworking activities, such as producing clocks, toys, candle holders, and garden equipment. The initiative aimed to provide a sense of self-worth to participants and foster a culture of shared learning. The project also addressed issues related to loneliness and isolation among local men, offering support, companionship, and new skills through the organization. ([communityfoundationni.org](https://communityfoundationni.org/news/rostrevor-mens-shed-the-murlough-foundation/?utm_source=openai))
- https://menssheds.ie/sheds/rostrevor-mens-shed/ – As part of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association’s cross-border initiative, Rostrevor Men’s Shed made a 586km round trip to Westport Men’s Shed in January 2020. The visit included a warm welcome at the Wyatt Hotel, a meal, and a singalong. On Saturday morning, the Rostrevor members visited the Westport Men’s Shed, where they enjoyed chatting and sharing ideas over a hot cup of tea. They were impressed by the work carried out in the Westport Shed, particularly the restoration of an old tractor and farm machinery destined for Africa. The trip also led the group to the beautiful Achill Island, known for its rugged mountains, peat bogs, tall sea cliffs, and clean beaches. The journey back was rounded off with lunch at the idyllic location of Lusty Beg. The test was hugely successful and testament to the shedders’ dedication to building cross-border relationships. ([menssheds.ie](https://menssheds.ie/sheds/rostrevor-mens-shed/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.farmersjournal.ie/life/features/sheds-inspiring-one-another-399957 – The Shed Series, a fixture in the men’s sheds calendar since 2016, offers sheds in Ireland a chance to display their craftsmanship on a national stage. In 2018, the event was hosted at Belvedere House and Gardens in Mullingar, in conjunction with the Irish Men’s Sheds Association’s partner organization Topline DIY. Topline’s generous sponsorship saw three sheds walk away with handsome cash prizes, in addition to the Topline vouchers awarded to each shortlisted shed. Rostrevor Men’s Shed won the overall prize of €2,000 with a handsomely mounted map of Ireland, carved in four different types of wood. The shed has a notably cosmopolitan membership, and a fleet of miniature airplanes denoted their journeys from points as distant as Denmark and Iran. Eamon O’Connor of Rostrevor Men’s Shed expressed his delight at winning first prize, stating that he was stunned by the standard of some of the other entries. ([farmersjournal.ie](https://www.farmersjournal.ie/life/features/sheds-inspiring-one-another-399957?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.farmersjournal.ie/mens-sheds-coming-together-to-showcase-the-fantastic-work-of-mens-sheds-425842 – In December 2018, 150 members from both sides of the border came together for a men’s sheds showcase at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry. The event proved to be a joyous occasion, with countless friendships forged and display tables heavily laden with sheds’ handiwork. Oksana McMahon, deputy chair of Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, gave a warm and welcoming opening address, commending the work of all the groups present. BBC reporter Mark Simpson addressed the looming prospect of Brexit and its potential impact on border communities. Eamonn O’Connor of Rostrevor Men’s Shed brought updates on the shed’s renowned Tommy Project, a World War I commemoration, and its deepening roots in the local community. In his closing address, CEO Barry Sheridan of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association outlined a new initiative to facilitate cross-border shed visits, a lasting legacy of the event. ([farmersjournal.ie](https://www.farmersjournal.ie/mens-sheds-coming-together-to-showcase-the-fantastic-work-of-mens-sheds-425842?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rostrevormensshed – Rostrevor Men’s Shed has launched a JustGiving campaign titled ‘Crafting Connections, Building Lives and Stronger Communities’ to support health and wellness, offer workshops, and host events. The campaign highlights the numerous benefits of supporting a Men’s Shed group, including combating loneliness and isolation, improving mental health, providing physical health benefits, skill development and sharing, community service, enhancing personal growth, educational workshops, creating a safe and supportive environment, reducing healthcare costs, and strengthening families and relationships. The campaign emphasizes that supporting a Men’s Shed not only benefits the men who participate directly but also has a ripple effect that enhances the well-being of the wider community. ([justgiving.com](https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rostrevormensshed?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with no evidence of prior publication. The event occurred on 7 June 2025, and the report was published on 12 June 2025, indicating timely coverage. The article includes updated data and specific details about the anniversary celebration, suggesting originality.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quote from Chairman Gerry McCormack, “This Shed has become so much more than just a place to do a bit of woodwork or gardening. It’s a place of friendship, purpose and belonging,” appears to be original, with no prior online matches found.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Outlook News, a local news outlet. While not as widely recognised as major national media, it is a legitimate source for local news. The report is corroborated by information from the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, indicating a reasonable level of reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The details about Rostrevor Men’s Shed’s 10th anniversary celebration align with known activities of the group, such as community events and workshops. The involvement of local MP Chris Hazzard and the description of the refurbished facility are consistent with the Shed’s history and mission. The narrative lacks excessive or off-topic details, and the tone is appropriate for a community-focused event.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and plausible, with no significant issues identified. The source is reliable, and the content is consistent with known facts about Rostrevor Men’s Shed.
