Local Tipperary Men's Shed designs phone audio amplification device

The Thurles Men’s Shed recently participated in the 2025 Tipperary Festival of Science.

As a result of an initiative by Jackie Kennedy of Tipperary Libraries who is a representative of the County Library Services for the festival, Thurles Men’s Shed was chosen to be funded by Research Ireland to take part in the festival workshops.

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At first the Shed members were a bit daunted by the challenge but with the support of their tutor and mentor, Paul Carew of Lúchta Studios, an idea was formed.

Paul created a design for an phone amplification unit made entirely from wood.

Peter Wall, one of the Shed members involved in the project explains: “The carefully carved wood pieces are pressed together to create a chamber that allows the sound waves from your phone, which is placed in an opening in the wood, to pass through making them louder, no power supply needed.”

The first batch was available at the Christmas Market, and had sold out in less than an hour.

The plan is to have a greater number of units finished for the first market in the new Thurles Market Quarter located next to the town park, which is due to open in early 2026.

The members of ‘The Shed’, as it is affectionately known, explained that they are a not-for-profit community group, and a donation to the Shed is all that is being asked of buyers, so as to cover the cost of materials and machinery usage.

When asked about labour costs, Shed Chairman Tim Quinn said: ‘We only do what we enjoy, so our labour is free, this was ‘a labour of love.”

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The Shed is located in Stradavoher behind the Meals on Wheels building.

It opens Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10am to 1pm.

It comprises a complex consisting of a state-of-the-art woodworking facility, and an activity room which caters for a number of hobby interests including a fully equipped art studio.

There is a polytunnel and garden that the Shed says would be the envy of any horticulturist, and a kitchen/dining room area.

The Shed has no dedicated funding and relies upon the generosity of the community and Thurles Community Social Services on whose land it is located.

The Shed cannot speak highly enough of the grants and other supports the Department of Rural and Community Development, Tipperary County Council, NTDC (North Tipperary Development Company), TETB (Tipperary Education and Training Board) and the HSE provide them with.

Shed members ask that anyone who may be interested in joining them to come for a cup of tea and a chat, and that if anyone would like to join, they can do so in their own time, where no charge for membership applies.