What Makes Us Unique

Rostrevor Men’s Shed isn’t just a workshop — it’s a story, a community, and a way of life that has grown far beyond its humble beginnings.

Our Shed has become something truly special in the wider Men’s Shed movement, standing out for our openness, our outreach, and the scale of what we’ve built together.

Here’s why we’re different.

We’re Not Just a Shed — We Run an Entire Community Centre

Most Sheds operate in a single room or workshop.

We manage 16 The Square, a fully refurbished community centre right in the heart of Rostrevor.

This includes:

• Multiple activity rooms

• Woodworking and craft spaces

• A polytunnel and garden area

• Meeting rooms for local groups

• A shared hub for classes and community events

Dozens of community groups rely on this building every week — and the Shed maintains it, manages it, and keeps its doors open to everyone.

This makes us one of the most community-embedded Sheds anywhere on the island.

A Neutral, Welcoming Space

At Rostrevor Men’s Shed, everyone is welcomed the same the moment they step inside. No labels, no barriers — just a smile, a cup of tea, the tools coming out, and the craic beginning.

Different backgrounds, different stories, different traditions — none of it matters once the kettle is on and the workbench is full. That’s the heart of our Shed.

Projects That Bring People Together

Our cross-community work doesn’t happen because we talk about it — it happens because we live it.

Week after week, our members work side-by-side on projects that support every corner of village life:

  • Local Primary Schools — buddy benches, bird boxes, planters, outdoor learning items, and countless repairs.

  • The Church of Ireland — practical help, displays, remembrance events, and the everyday support that keeps community spaces alive.

  • Mourne Heritage — building and repairing wayfinding signage along walking trails, helping preserve local history and keep our landscapes accessible for everyone.

  • Our Annual Fairy Glen River Clean-Up — a day where Shedders and the community pull on their boots, lift rubbish from the riverbanks, clear pathways, and protect a place loved by every part of the community.

These projects bring people together naturally. Hands busy, minds relaxed, and barriers forgotten.

Sharing Our Experience With Other Sheds

We don’t stay inside our own four walls.

We regularly and are visited by other Men’s Sheds across different communities, North and South, sharing what we’ve learned over 10 years of growth.

  • How to get grants.

  • How to build activities.

  • How to create a space where people genuinely belong.

Just Shedders helping Shedders, learning from one another, and building connections across communities.

These visits have created friendships, collaborations, and a real sense of being part of something bigger than ourselves.

A Place Where Background Doesn’t Matter

We don’t ask where you’re from.
We don’t ask what tradition you belong to.
We simply pour the tea, clear a space, and make room for you at the table.

That’s how we break down barriers — not by preaching it, but by living it every day through shared work, shared spaces, shared stories, and shared respect.

In our Shed, everyone stands equal.
Everyone is welcome.

“Everyone is simply a Shedder”.

A True Cross-Community Shed

Rostrevor Men’s Shed has always been a place where everyone is welcome. No labels. No barriers. No politics.
Just people coming together to help each other and help the village.

Our members come from different traditions, backgrounds, countries, and beliefs — but once you step through the door, you’re simply a Shedder. Tools go on, the laughter starts, and the differences melt away.

Over the years, our Shed has naturally grown into a shared space that brings the whole community together. Not by talking about cross-community work — but by living it every day through real projects that make a difference.

We work side-by-side on:

  • Buddy benches for local schools

  • Repairs for community groups of all traditions

  • Gardening projects used and enjoyed by the whole village

  • Marshalling events for organisations from every part of the area

  • Cross-border links with sheds across Ireland and even the Isle of Man

Every project, every cup of tea, every shared bit of craic helps build friendships and trust across the community.

We don’t do cross-community work for recognition — it’s simply who we are, and how we’ve always worked.

This is Rostrevor. This is our Shed. This is community in action.