Bench dedicated to much-loved Men’s Shed member

The memory of the late Pat Monaghan, one of the founding members of Ballinamore Men’s Shed, has been honoured with the dedication of a handcrafted memorial bench at Castlemanor Nursing Home, where Pat and his wife, Celine, spent their final years.

Designed and built by members of Ballinamore Men’s Shed, Pat’s name was carefully engraved into the timber, with work carried out by Martin Stephens, Paddy Prior, Dan Gallogly, cousin of the late Fr Dan, and Tommy Moran.

Pat’s daughter, Fiona McGovern, described the tribute as “a lovely idea”, and said her family was deeply touched by the kindness shown by the Men’s Shed members.

Originally from Falmore on the Erris Peninsula in Mayo, Pat settled in Bawnboy after meeting his wife, Celine, a native of the area, while both were living in England. The couple returned to Cavan in 1984, and made their home just outside Bawnboy, close to the Leitrim border.

When Ballinamore Men’s Shed was established in 2013, Pat was among its first members. He remained heavily involved over the years, and also volunteered with the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, travelling nationwide to help new sheds get established.

Today, Ballinamore Men’s Shed has grown to almost 30 members, meeting every Wednesday evening. Pat’s contribution is fondly remembered, including by Oliver McGovern, who first brought the bench idea back to the Shed when approached by Mary McEvoy of Castlemanor.

“He was a great friend,” acknowledged Oliver of the late Pat. “Great for getting things done.”

The proposal was warmly embraced by the members, who gladly volunteered their time and craftsmanship to build the bench.

Pat and Celine spent their later years at Castlemanor Nursing Home. Celine was admitted in 2022 and passed away in September 2023. Pat entered the nursing home in 2023 and died in November 2024, having shared several months there with his wife.

For Fiona, who had made a donation to the nursing home in recognition of the care her parents had received there, the finished bench represents far more than a memorial. “It is really lovely,” she said. “The men were delighted to do it, and it means so much to know Dad is remembered in that way.”

Pat will also be remembered as a passionate supporter of Mayo football. A lifelong fan, he travelled through league and championship campaigns and rarely missed an All-Ireland final. Although he passed away just months before Mayo’s long-awaited success, Fiona says he would have been immensely proud.

Pat was just one year old, born in 1950, when Mayo last lifted the Sam Maguire before their recent Croke Park triumph.

“He followed them everywhere,” she recalls. “Even when Mayo lost an All-Ireland final, he’d go to Castlebar the next day for the homecoming. Someone once asked him why he bothered after a defeat, and he simply said, ‘You have to be there for the bad times as well as the good ones’.”