Westport Men's Shed release new song for Christmas

The Irish Men’s Sheds Association and Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) have joined forces for a unique creative collaboration with musician Michael Hanrahan for Christmas 2024.

The Men’s Shed in Westport was invited by IHF to work with Michael in a series of workshops towards the development of a song resulting in ‘Wishing You Were Here’. Westport Shed is a Shed that encapsulates everything that the Shed network offers all men regardless of who they are or where they are from - a warm welcome, an inclusive atmosphere, opportunities to learn something new, share skills and contribute. Above all else the Shed (like the 400+ Sheds nationwide) offers opportunities for connection.

As long-standing partners, IHF with The Irish Men’s Sheds Association recognise the power of connection between individuals and within communities. The organisations collaborate to increase Men’s engagement with issues around grief and loss exploring their experience of bereavement and death - recognising the potential of the Shed network for Men, who represent just 30% of callers to IHF’s Bereavement Support Line, to provide peer to peer support and spaces where conversations can and do happen in safe, non-judgemental and supported ways.

Rebecca McLaughlin Health & Well Being Manager Irish Men’s Sheds Association says: “Men consistently tell us they feel better for being part of a Shed. Being able to bring your whole self, however you are on a particular day and whatever might be going on for you into your local Shed to be be greeted with warmth and acceptance is undoubtedly a life-enhancing experience. I am so proud of Westport Men’s Shed who offer us this ‘gift’ at Christmas with their individual ‘take’ on what the season means to them. I love that this group includes Men who had never sung before and others who started learning the guitar only recently – it’s inspiring. I have no doubt that this song will resonate with many people. There is a Shed out there for every man, I encourage anyone if they know someone who might benefit from being part of a Shed – give the gift of connection this Christmas, offer them the number for their local Shed www.menssheds.ie”.

Dr Amanda Roberts, National Bereavement Development Coordinator at IHF says: “We partnered with Irish Men Sheds Association in 2022 to offer a bereavement and loss workshop on their Sheds for Life programme. Sheds occupy a unique space in Irish communities, where men support each other 'shoulder to shoulder'. Even though bereavement is a common experience, many struggle to know what to say or do to support those who have been bereaved. The workshop created a space to encourage the shed community to support each other by facilitating a discussion around grief - it's potential impact, what can help and the possible ways they could support fellow shedders. This beautiful project in Westport is another way we hope to be able to bring that support and connection.” 

Brendan Duffy, Chair, Westport Men’s Shed says: “This was an amazing experience. It was an opportunity for men to explore their feelings regarding bereavement and loss by writing a song on the topic that each one of us must inevitably face - the death of a loved one or our own inevitable demise. Poignant and insightful disclosures were shared during the workshops and many memories and emotions were experienced by the group. We have thousands of years of memories between us. This song speaks from our collective hearts. A song is much more than music and words put together. Westport Men's Shed has a music group going for the past few years, where several members gather to play guitars, accordion etc and teach each other how to play and join in a sing song. Men joined in the singing who had convinced themselves that they couldn't sing a note. The end of the project will not be the end of the discussion which will continue long after the song is forgotten.” 

Michael Hanrahan, musician and composer, formerly Stockton’s Wing and latterly senior Fellow at The Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin says: “It was such a buzz being in a room with a bunch of aul fellas like myself and having proper chats. We [men] usually ‘talk don’t talk’. We’re afraid to ‘talk the talk’ about anything personal. We talked about Christmas and what it means to us. It was such a beautiful, beautiful experience.”