Towey’s Spar owner helps Men’s Shed Association set Guinness World Record

Pat Towey, owner of Towey’s Spar and Top Oil in Ballaghaderreen and a Flogas cylinder dealer, was one of the volunteers that helped the Irish Men’s Shed Association and Flogas to set a brand-new Guinness World Records title for the Largest Display of Kettles. The record of 1,089 fully working kettles, ranging from brand new to over 70 years old,  was set at the IMSA national Conference and Shedfest in Mucklagh Co. Offaly on 19th November 2024 in front of a live audience and was livestreamed to shedders around Ireland and the world.

Kettles are one of the most important ‘tools’ in any Men’s Shed in supporting social connection, which is why the Association decided to go for the Guinness World Record. The kettles came from sheds, schools, offices and other community groups all over Ireland. Pat Towey, who founded the Ballaghaderreen Men’s Shed in 2018, collected all the kettles from Roscommon, Leitrim and Sligo and brought them to Mucklagh for the world record attempt.

Flogas also donated 550 brand new kettles to support the attempt, and these will now be distributed to Sheds countrywide. This record is a tangible way of demonstrating the theme of this year’s conference ‘The Power of Connection’

Master of Ceremonies Marty Morrissey introduced the audience to the Guinness World Record Adjudicator Seyda Subasi Gemici, who had checked the kettles in the display and reviewed all the video and document evidence. She announced that the record had been set and then presented the official GWR Certificate to IMSA CEO Enda Egan.

As well as managing a busy forecourt, Pat gives his time on a voluntary basis to assist other Men’s Sheds in Roscommon and Leitrim with practical advice on all aspects of Shed set up and development.

Pat said, “It was a fantastic day in Mucklagh, there was a huge sense of achievement and pride amongst all the Shedders in setting the Guinness World Record. You will find a shed in almost  very town and village  across the country. Sheds fill a void in men’s lives who retire, widowed , or just don’t have many friends. Shed life is full of companionship, friendship, social engagement,  making things, learning new skills, passing on  traditions,  singing songs, walking  talking and drinking  tea.

Emotional wellbeing and a healthy lifestyle is supported and encouraged among all men . Addressing loneliness and rural isolation, shed life is a space where you can come and not be judged, what you were in another life is not that important, who you are and how you feel today is our priority.    Together with Flogas our charity partners  who are tremendous  advocates for shed life , we all look forward  to many wonderful times ahead. “ Pat continued.