Flourishing women's shed movement denied Government funding
Currently, there are more than 450 men’s sheds in the country, with an estimated 12,000 attendees each week. About 120 women's sheds are also now in place.
Ireland has more men’s sheds per capita in Ireland any other country in Europe, but women are catching up with a growing interest in the movement countrywide.
There are even growing expectations women’s sheds may soon have a national representative body of their own, just like the men's sheds are community-based projects where people can come together to learn, share skills, make friends or just have a chat over a cup of tea.
Currently, there are more than 450 men’s sheds in the country, with an estimated 12,000 attendees each week. About 120 women's sheds are also now in place.
Men’s sheds have a representative body, the Irish Men’s Shed Association (IMSA) but women’s sheds currently do not operate under an overall national organisation.
Rural and community development minister Darragh Calleary recently told the Dáil his department was therefore unable to provide funding to women’s sheds like that provided to men’s sheds via the IMSA.
He told Cork North-West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea he was very aware of the growing interest in women’s sheds and of the great work they did.
“They provide a space for women of all ages to come together on a regular basis in a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment,” he said. Mr Calleary said he was committed to providing any support he could for the development of a national governing body for women’s sheds.
This was to ensure they could individually benefit from having a strong national representative body to advocate on their behalf.
Meetings between representatives of women’s sheds and his officials, along with colleagues from the Department of Health, have taken place.
The most recent meeting focused on how the National Forum of Women’s Sheds might be supported in setting up a national organisation.
Describing the meetings as positive, he praised the work and commitment of the forum and noted several options were being considered.
Mr O’Shea, who is chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Rural Affairs, said afterwards a plan to set up a national network of women’s sheds had moved a step closer.
“I am very pleased Minister Calleary and his officials are working hard to deliver this initiative, which is now at an advanced stage,” he said.
Mr O’Shea added that with the budget now just weeks away, this was an ideal opportunity to provide ringfenced funding to support women’s sheds.
“Our sheds will play an even more important role in the winter months when the days get darker and shorter and loneliness can set in,” he said.
The men’s sheds movement in Ireland began in Tipperary in 2009, and was followed in 2011 by the formation of the IMSA.
Two years later, it received national recognition when President Michael D Higgins became its patron.
The IMSA website says there are many reasons for people to join. People who have retired might like to share their skills with other men, make new friends and have a chat.
“Men’s sheds are more than just woodwork or gardening, they are places where men can find meaning and purpose, where a friend is always there,” it says.
Two months ago, Mr Calleary, and minister of state Jerry Buttimer, jointly announced a funding package to support men’s sheds across the country.
This year’s funding, together with that provided by the department last year, is to enable the IMSA to distribute up to €1m in supports to its members, with grants of up to €3,000 available.
The funding is designed to assist men’s sheds with running and operational costs such as heating, utility and insurance bills.
Stressing the benefit of men’s sheds to people, particularly those living in in rural areas, Mr Buttimer said he had visited many of them across the country and listened to their concerns, ideas and suggestions.
RTÉ Brainstorm, where the academic and research community contribute to public debate, recently reflected on the role of women’s sheds and how they are flourishing in Ireland.
Dr Megan Vine of the Psychology Department at University of Limerick, who is currently conducting a two-year Research Ireland postdoctoral fellowship on the women’s shed movement, outlined its aims in an article on the RTÉ website.
“Along with my research mentor, Professor Ronni Greenwood, and a community advisory board comprising nine women’s shed organisers from across Ireland, our goal is to explore the movement’s multi-level effects.
“Beyond academic contributions, this research will provide an evidence base for the development and sustainability of women’s sheds and similar groups that offer valuable social connection, empowerment, and skills development for women nationwide.
“As Ireland continues to navigate social and economic changes, women’s sheds offer a powerful model for fostering connection and resilience,” she wrote.
