On Friday January 7, Knock Vintage Club and Men's Shed welcomed Fianna Fáíl MEP Barry Cowen and Irish Farmer's Association Chair Francie Gorman to their open evening.

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Kicking off at 7pm, vintage club and men's shed members were joined by visitors, public representatives, Laois Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) and Laois Public Participation Network (PPN) representatives to admire the club's facilities.

Local TDs and Councillors gathered with the group for the insightful event.

Irish Farmers' Association Chairman Francie Gorman was in attendance, along with Midlands-Northwest Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen.

Knock Vintage Club and Men's Shed was designed to store and repair vintage equipment, opening at the restored Chapel House in 2023.

The group meets weekly on Tuesdays at 8pm, where they practice woodturning, restore vintage machinery and gather for chats and a laugh. 

They are unique in the fact that they accept women in their men's shed, and are always open to new members and new ideas.

"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," club  member Niall Headen told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"We decided to hold an open evening to showcase where all previous grant allocations were spent, and to highlight the areas that needed completion, along with the ideas for more recreational activities thatwe would like to offer to our members.

"We need a gate and railing system to secure the site, and we would like to close off the open side of the shed to install a pottery loft. We want to tarmac the yard," Mr Headen explained.

"The opportunity may arise to purchase a neighbouring plot of ground, so we were looking for information on what scenarios and precedents there are 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 ot thank them all for attending and speaking to our members and the wider community. We appreciate that they all have busy schedules. 

"Hopefully we can get the project completed in 2026," Mr Headen finished.

MEP Barry Cowen expressed his pleasure in joining the vintage club and men's shed group for the eveining.

"Delighted to join local representatives and indeed local man, IFA chairman Francie Gorman, to visit Knock Vintage Men’s Shed in Laois," Mr Barry Cowen said.

Mr Cowen explained that on the night, he outlined his role as the Renew Europe lead negotiator on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) group to those in attendance.

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