Armagh Men's Shed deliver CoI cathedral model

THE City of Armagh has long prided itself on its two Cathedrals - and now we have a copy of each.
It’s all thanks to Armagh Men’s Shed and good relations funding from Triangle Housing.
This week the men’s shed unveiled their latest model - a replica of St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral.
It’s currently on display at the cathedral, and an impressive sight it is too.
Of course, it’s not the first time the men’s shed has been church building, last year the made a model of the city’s Catholic cathedral and have also created models of St Malachy’s and First Presbyterian Church, Armagh.
The model was funded through Triangle Housing’s Housing for All Good Relations Programme.
Good relations officer, John Beattie explained, “We are supporting a good relations programme celebrating the culture and heritage here in Armagh city, bringing people together. It’s one of a number of programmes running across Armagh.”
Expressing his delight at delivery of the model, the Dean of St Patrick’s CoI Cathedral , Very Rev Shane Forster said, “I was invited to view the model in the early stages of its production and have watched it progress through the regular updates posted on the Armagh Men’s Shed Facebook page.
“It is an incredible achievement, which has taken great skill, time and dedication.
“I am extremely grateful to the members of the Men’s Shed for their hard work and for their kindness in allowing their model to go on display in the Cathedral.”
Explaining the background of Armagh Men’s Shed and their model making work was Stephen McCleary, “Armagh Men’s Shed started in early 2012, we’ll be going 13 years in February. It’s open to men of all ages, men who have retired, unemployed or who just find themselves at a loose end.
“It’s an auld boys’ youth club, is what I like to call it.”
He added, “It has helped us. It’s main aim is promoting health and well-being for older men. It’s like a GP’s prescription. It puts a spring in your step in the morning going to the men’s shed.”
Asked about previous model projects, Stephen said, “We did St Patrick’s Cathedral, we did the First Presbyterian Church, the Gospel hall, Ballymacnab Chapel and St Malachy’s Chapel.”
He said they’d decided to push the boat out with the launch of their latest project adding, “We have 30 or 40 men here, where else would they be, either at the pub or at home moping about, annoying the wife.
“I get feedback from wives all the time about how much the boys enjoy coming to the shed, how much it has changed their whole perspective.”
The model itself is made out of MDF with paper mache around it. Pat Moore was the man who led the design work on the model.
Stephen said, “Pat’s the man with all the special details, he photographed the cathedral from all angles.”
And, he admitted getting the model for launch wasn’t all smooth sailing, “We had to turn it sideways to get it out of the shed this morning it was that big, it was like the guy who built the boat in his basement and couldn’t get it out.”
The project took about three months to complete with the team at the shed all working together on various aspects, “We were all working together, collective working is great fro your mental health.”

And he finished by thanking Triangle Housing for their support, “Without them we couldn’t have done it.”

See more in the October 24 edition of the Ulster Gazette.