Men’s Shed

What began as a way of involving retired people in St. Jude’s GAA club has mushroomed into a community based gathering of both men and women.

In the beginning the work was largely maintenance of the club premises and surrounding areas with one computer class for seniors seeking help on how to navigate the internet.

We have sprouted wings in many directions since then with a huge emphasis on involving the community both male and female.

The St. Mac Daras garden project is a prime example, as is our helping out in St. Michael’s House.

Our keep fit classes with the Jude’s based physio and our own member Joe McDonnell filling in regularly have been a huge success our chair yoga runs two days a week and attracts many from the community.

Our mentoring programme with St. Mac Daras and Templeogue College is ongoing where the students complete a community care module in the shed and are issued with a certificate on completion of same.

An annual fundraiser for the local hospice brings widespread support from neighboring sheds as well as the community.

Regular outings are an important feature of the group, as are group learning activities e.g the internet help on Tuesday mornings for seniors run by Joan Molamphy. The comhra on Monday mornings where the Irish language is practiced. we also have a memorial service to remember departed club members in the new remembrance corner every November.

The shed also organised a photo exhibition in the hall some years ago spearheaded by Sean McBride and Joe McDonnell, who also curate the club’s historical image library.

The grounds and the carpark as well as the building all get our attention on an ongoing basis.

There is a weekly tea and coffee session to promote the social interaction of our community, and we have added indoor bowling and outdoor boules to our list of activities.

St Jude’s Drama Group is the ‘creative wing’ of St Jude’s GAA Club, bringing laughter, music and community spirit to Templeogue since its founding. Over the years, the group has delighted local audiences with original shows such as The Gospel According to St Jude, Holly Jolly Judes and the pantomimes Little Green Riding Hood (2023) and Sleeping Beauty and the Beast (2024). Founding director Pat Egan wrote and directed two original one-act plays (Waiting for Anto and Room 31) in March 2025 to glowing audience reviews. This year’s panto production is Crumbelievable: A Hansel and Gretel Pantomime and will be performed for audiences young and old in the Lakeside Lounge in November 2025. (Produced and directed by Ian Feighery) Tickets will be available soon through Eventbrite.
There is nothing amateur about the enthusiasm and talents of the members of St Jude’s Drama Group. Whether you’re a club regular, supporting a friend on stage or simply after a night of good old-fashioned entertainment, our productions won’t disappoint!