Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed hosted a successful open evening at their premises recently.
Laois TD Sean Fleming, Cathaoirleach Barry Walsh, Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley, IFA President Francie Gorman and MEP Barry Cowan were among the distinguished guests on the night.
Beginning originally as a group of parents formed to raise money to extend Knock National School next door, they evolved into a vintage club, now also a men’s shed with about 30 core members.
But the Knock Men’s Shed is rather unique too as it also accepts women as members.
Speaking to LaoisToday, member Niall Headen explained that they held the open day to highlight all that they do after missing out on funding last year.
He said: “At our AGM in November 2025, we identified that we were not successful in obtaining funding to complete our shed project in the second half of 2025.
“We decided to hold an open evening to showcase where all previous grant allocations were spent.
“Also, to highlight the areas that needed completion and ideas for more recreational activities that we would like to be able to offer to members.
“The first thing we need is a gate and railing system to secure the site.
“Secondly, we would like to close off the open side of the shed and install a pottery loft while thirdly we wish to tarmac the yard.
“Finally, the opportunity may arise to purchase a neighbouring plot of ground so we were looking for information on what scenarios/precedents from other communities in relation to this.
“It was a very successful evening with a bit of banter between the different representatives.
“We would like to thank them all for attending and speaking to our members and wider community, we appreciate they all have busy schedules. Hopefully we can get the project completed in 2026.”
Photographer Alf Harvey was there on the evening and captured some great images.
Check them out below:
Martin Kenna, Niall Headen, Orlaith Headen, Bridget O’Neill and Julie Meany at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Packie McDonald, Mick O’Shea and Eamonn Brophy at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Calum Costigan with his grandmother Peggy Costigan at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Sean Fleming TD, Barry Cowen MEP and IFA president Francie Gorman with chairman Brian Brennan at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed members pictured with Barry Cowen MEP, Deputies, Brian Stanley, Willie Aird and Sean Fleming; Councillors Padraig Fleming, Barry Walsh, Caroline Dwane-Stanley and John Joe Fennelly; IFA president Francie Gorman; Gillian Cunningham, LOETB and Dan Bergin Laois PPN at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Pat Bowe, Paddy Dunne and Noel Fennelly take a break from working on Noel’s 1952 Ford Major at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Joe and Anne Cass at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Niall Headen, Noel Fennelly, Paddy Dunne and Pat Bowe with a fully reconditioned 1953 Ford Major belonging to Larry McDonald at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.John Doheny, Chris Palin and Brian Lalor at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Michael Kehoe, Paul Connolly, Knock NS principal Mary Butler and Orlaith Headen at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Orlaith Headen with her grandfather John Headen at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.President, Andrew Fleming with chairman Brian Brennan at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Pat Mooney Cllr Barry Walsh and Noel Fennelly at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Chairman Brian Brennan welcomes everybody at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.Niall Headen, Brian Brennan (chairman); Sean Fleming TD, Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley, Gillian Cunningham, LOETB; Brian Stanley TD and James Fitzpatrick at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.With these 1950’s Ford Major Tractors being restored, from left: Cllr Padraig Fleming, Gillian Cunningham, LOETB; Niall Headen, John Headen, Brian Stanley TD; Willie Aird TD; IFA president Francie Gorman; Sean Fleming TD; Brian Brennan (chairman); James Fitzpatrick and Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley at the Knock Vintage Club Men’s Shed open evening. Picture: Alf Harvey.
