Handcrafted Tuam pens on their way to EU Ministers
WOODEN pens handcrafted by a founding member of Tuam’s Men Shed will be gifted to European Union (EU) ministers next week.
Ireland currently holds the Presidency of the EU Council, meaning prominent politicians from across Europe are visiting the country over the next few months.
Seán Canney, the Junior Minister for Transport, will be hosting the transport ministers from the 27 EU states. As part of his hosting duties, he will be presenting each with a gift: a wooden pen with the EU Ireland Presidency symbol, handcrafted by 88-year-old Owen Durkan from the Tuam Men’s Shed.
“I was delighted to be asked to make 40 pens for Seán, which the ministers will receive at a dinner later this month,” Owen Durkan told The Tuam Herald.
“It took me three weeks to complete the pens. I did the work largely myself, as woodturning is such a precise job. I’ve been doing woodturning for many years since I retired. I’m largely self-taught but I’ve been lucky to have my good friend Willie Creighton, a master woodturner to guide me too.
“I never did any classes with him, but he was always at the end of phone should I ever need any advice down through the years.”
Member for past 13 years
Owen made the pens during many sessions at the Tuam Men’s Shed, a group he has been a member of since its inception 13 years ago.
The group meetups, which take place in the old St Patrick’s School building on the Dublin Road, have given the retired Garda sergeant a new lease on life. He is there five days a week, enjoying a cup of tea, doing some work and then chatting again with members over lunch.
“I’d be up the Athenry Road (Tuam Cemetery) by now if it wasn’t for the Men’s Shed,” quipped Owen, who says the average age of their 20 members is well over 70.
“It is a place that helps keeps us all feeling young and active. Sheds like ours can be vital in helping those in a community struggling with loneliness.
“Our members create so many wonderful crafts, with garden furniture being one of the main projects. I think the group is great for occupying the mind. Instead of people being left alone on the couch watching TV, they are using their initiative and being creative.”
This is not the first time that Owen has been asked to create a unique gift. Last year he was approached by a member of the Catholic Grandparents Association, who sought his help ahead of their audience with Pope Leo XIV.
They needed an appropriate gift they could present to the head of the Catholic Church. Owen created a plaque which paid tribute to the Christian faith and the town of Tuam.
“I took inspiration from the St Jarlath’s Broken Wheel, which has become an emblem for the town,” he recalled.
Pens for the Pope
“It feels amazing knowing something I built has been presented to the Pope. My mother was a hugely devout woman. Knowing something created by me was given to the pope would’ve meant so much to her and to my whole family.”
The pens were handed over to Minister Canney recently during a visit to the Tuam Men’s Shed. He spent time meeting members, seeing their projects and getting a feel for what makes groups like this so special.
The Galway East TD was keen to connect the gifts he would be giving to his fellow EU Transport ministers with Tuam. He was delighted to give Owen the job. His craftsmanship will now be showcased across the continent.
“I’m thrilled Owen took on this challenge. He has done a great job and I’m sure all the EU transport ministers will love this unique gift,” commented Minister Canney.
“It is great linking up with the local men’s shed. I love having this opportunity to paint this group and others like it in such a positive light. It is such a vital social outlet, especially for those over 70, keeping them active well into their retirement.”