The shed had been inactive for five years, and reformed in October 2025
The men's shed in Rathangan have relaunched their boat on the Grand Canal, that the original Men’s Shed had acquired.
Originally formed in 2014, but inactive since COVID in 2020, the Shed was reformed in October 2025 under the new name of Rath Iomgháin Men’s Shed.
One of the key projects has involved the refurbishment of a boat that, as over the last few months, the Men’s Shed members have scraped and repainted, while also installing seating and had its engine serviced.
Having also researched the history of the boat the group has named the boat “La Luna del Mar” which is a link to the original vessel that the Rathangan boat was connected to.
Speaking on Kildare Today, Pat Leogue of Rath Iomgháin Men's Shed, explains the importance of the boat relaunch:
"The fact that the canal is such a major piece of the landscape in Rathangan, is probably what attracted them to the project, they had the boat for a while.
"Some of them were originally involved with the boat, and it certainly interested the new members, and the whole point of being able to take the boat out on the canal, was something to achieve."
Pat also has enjoyed the return of the Shed overall, now in a position where they have a premises to carry out projects together:
"We started off once a week with a cup of tea, we didn't have a premises, but with the help of the old school house in Rathangan, we acquired the use of the premises there and it gave us a base to carry out projects."
In addition to the boat project Rath Iomgháin Men’s Shed has also developed a horticultural project with a polytunnel and raised beds at the Old School House.
Upcoming plans include the revival of a Halloween event which was a big fundraising success for the previous Men’s Shed group.
The full interview can be heard below:
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