Men may have had the upper hand when it comes to finding a space for themselves in their retirement, with the hugely successful Men’s Sheds movement flourishing throughout rural Ireland over the past 15 years, but women are now forming sheds of their own.
With an estimated 120 Women’s Sheds now up and running, offering a social lifeline to ladies of all ages, the movement is gaining momentum.
Newcastle West Women’s Shed in Co Limerick was established in June 2022 and is already looking at the possibility of setting up a second group, for younger women in the community.
Brigid Breen is chairperson of the Shed and says the group is going from strength to strength with 60 members and a waiting list in place for those wishing to join.
“A friend and I, we’re both members of West Limerick Mental Health Association, and we were chatting during the pandemic about what we could do to help people who were struggling,” says Brigid.
“We read about a lady who set up a Shed in Kildare and decided we could do the same so we posted a call on social media and hundreds of people responded.
“We set up a working group; myself and Mary Angela Downes are founding members of the Shed, and decided to target women aged 55 and older. Research has shown that age group is the most vulnerable to loneliness and isolation.
"We held an open meeting in the Longcourt Hotel and from that we organised our first meeting in June 2022. We’ve had fantastic support from Limerick Clare ETB who support us throughout the year.
“We have a very active committee who organise a host of events and trips throughout the year and we’re delighted to see the Shed go from strength to strength.
“We have 60 registered members but there’ll be between 30 and 35 women at our meetings on any given night. Along with the weekly events, we try to organise outings.
I’m a widow and it has been very lonely on my own but I’ve made so many friends through this who I meet not only at the meetings but down the town
"Last month some of our members went over to the Christmas markets in Waterford, and earlier in the the year we were up in the Dáil, as well as making a trip closer to home to Kilmeedy Social Farm. We also have a coffee morning once a month where we move around to local cafés to spread the business about.
“A group of us are travelling to Spain in May, a trip to Costa de Rota near Salou and we’ve been saving up for that every week. That will be our first trip abroad but we’re hoping to make it an annual trip because a lot of our members would love to go away but don’t want to do it on their own.
“We’re now looking at setting up a younger group for women aged 35 to 55 as there is a huge interest among that age group locally – that’s our long-term plan.”
The enthusiasm for the Shed is palpable with all the women that spoke to Irish Country Living agreeing that it has given them a new lease of life.
Maureen Finnegan describes the Shed as ‘wonderful’ with a ‘fabulous group of ladies’ who have become her friends.
“It’s the best thing ever to happen in this area and I’ve been involved from the very beginning,” she says.
“We’ve had flower arranging classes, and a talk from a local beautician who gave us brilliant advice on skincare and how to do our make-up. We’re learning new things all the time.”
Anne Brennan says her dancing has improved so much she’s hoping for a call from the BBC.
“We’ve had such a variety of classes and experiences since the shed was set up, we’ve done Tai Chi, massage, chair aerobics, crafts and even line dancing. It’s been brilliant. We’ll end up on Strictly Come Dancing yet,” she says, laughing.
‘A laugh and a chat’
Mountbellew Women’s Shed, from left; Una Raftery, Bernie Sweeney, Claire Donnellan, Cllr Alan Harney, Joan Tannian, Christina McHugh, Teresa King and Kathleen Keating at an International Cuisine event hosted during Culture Week.
Mary Guiry says the Women’s Shed has made a huge difference to her life.
“I’m a widow and it has been very lonely being on my own but I’ve made so many friends through this who I meet not only at the meetings but down the town, in the shops or out and about,” she says.
“I look forward to my Wednesday nights so much. We had a mosaic class a few weeks ago and I made a cup and a saucer that came out really well, I’m delighted with it.”
Dr Megan Vine, of University of Limerick’s Department of Psychology, has embarked on a two-year research project to evaluate Women’s Sheds Ireland, funded by Research Ireland.
Speaking to Irish Country Living, Dr Vine says the growth of Women’s Sheds in Ireland has been phenomenal.
“No real research has been conducted into Women’s Sheds which have flourished in Ireland in recent years, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic,” she says.
“We put a call out to organisers of Sheds across the country to be involved in this participatory research project and we have a wonderful group of nine women who know the challenges facing sheds and they will guide our research.
“The Women’s Sheds are a real recognition of the need for women to have space to connect. It’s not all about knitting and gossiping, as some people seem to think.
“They offer so much more, they’re a social movement which empower women and give them strength and connections as well as offering them improved psychological wellbeing.”
Dr Vine says the key aim of her research, which is in collaboration with Dr Ronnie Greenwood in UL, is to strengthen the case for improved funding and resources for Sheds all over the country.
Anne Brennan taking part in the Women Shed, Newcastle west Tai Chi at Desmond College, Co Limerick. \ Brendan Gleeson
“There are many organisational and financial challenges facing sheds, which are run by volunteers with very little structured funding support,” she says.
“Social prescribers are sending people to Sheds as the benefits are proven, yet the supports aren’t there. We’re hoping this research will provide the evidence needed of the value that Sheds offer communities.”
In east Galway, a local craft group decided to join the Women’s Shed movement last year and with 25 members now being part of the group, Mountbellew is feeling the benefits.
Una Raftery, a Mountbellew Shed member, says the beauty of the group is there are no hard and fast rules.
“We have ladies in their late 30s all the way up to 75 and it’s a very relaxed, enjoyable weekly meet-up where there is no onus or pressure on anyone to attend,” she says.
“Our members come from all over the area, as far as Ballymackward, Skehana and Newbridge and we meet every Thursday in the community centre. There is no age limit, we’re open to all and the members exchange their skills and talents with each other.
“We’ve received some funding from Galway Rural Development and we hold a stall at the Christmas market every year where we sell our crafts to raise money for the Shed.
“We had daughters of some of our members come in to learn how to make Christmas wreaths and they’ll be back with us next month for the St Brigid’s crosses, but the main aim of our weekly meet-ups is to have a chat and a laugh. That is what keeps us all going, a night out for people and a nice way to find out about events happening in the area.
“It’s a great way to make friends for those who have moved into the area, or who have been bereaved or are going through a marital breakdown.”
Dr Vine says she will be seeking further input from Women’s Sheds around the country this year as she conducts her research.
“We are finalising the initial stages of the research at the moment but by February or March, we hope to hold focus groups with sheds around the country.
“This will help us learn more about this remarkable movement that is making such a difference in the lives of women all over Ireland,” she says.
Men may have had the upper hand when it comes to finding a space for themselves in their retirement, with the hugely successful Men’s Sheds movement flourishing throughout rural Ireland over the past 15 years, but women are now forming sheds of their own.
With an estimated 120 Women’s Sheds now up and running, offering a social lifeline to ladies of all ages, the movement is gaining momentum.
Newcastle West Women’s Shed in Co Limerick was established in June 2022 and is already looking at the possibility of setting up a second group, for younger women in the community.
Brigid Breen is chairperson of the Shed and says the group is going from strength to strength with 60 members and a waiting list in place for those wishing to join.
“A friend and I, we’re both members of West Limerick Mental Health Association, and we were chatting during the pandemic about what we could do to help people who were struggling,” says Brigid.
“We read about a lady who set up a Shed in Kildare and decided we could do the same so we posted a call on social media and hundreds of people responded.
“We set up a working group; myself and Mary Angela Downes are founding members of the Shed, and decided to target women aged 55 and older. Research has shown that age group is the most vulnerable to loneliness and isolation.
"We held an open meeting in the Longcourt Hotel and from that we organised our first meeting in June 2022. We’ve had fantastic support from Limerick Clare ETB who support us throughout the year.
“We have a very active committee who organise a host of events and trips throughout the year and we’re delighted to see the Shed go from strength to strength.
“We have 60 registered members but there’ll be between 30 and 35 women at our meetings on any given night. Along with the weekly events, we try to organise outings.
I’m a widow and it has been very lonely on my own but I’ve made so many friends through this who I meet not only at the meetings but down the town
"Last month some of our members went over to the Christmas markets in Waterford, and earlier in the the year we were up in the Dáil, as well as making a trip closer to home to Kilmeedy Social Farm. We also have a coffee morning once a month where we move around to local cafés to spread the business about.
“A group of us are travelling to Spain in May, a trip to Costa de Rota near Salou and we’ve been saving up for that every week. That will be our first trip abroad but we’re hoping to make it an annual trip because a lot of our members would love to go away but don’t want to do it on their own.
“We’re now looking at setting up a younger group for women aged 35 to 55 as there is a huge interest among that age group locally – that’s our long-term plan.”
The enthusiasm for the Shed is palpable with all the women that spoke to Irish Country Living agreeing that it has given them a new lease of life.
Maureen Finnegan describes the Shed as ‘wonderful’ with a ‘fabulous group of ladies’ who have become her friends.
“It’s the best thing ever to happen in this area and I’ve been involved from the very beginning,” she says.
“We’ve had flower arranging classes, and a talk from a local beautician who gave us brilliant advice on skincare and how to do our make-up. We’re learning new things all the time.”
Anne Brennan says her dancing has improved so much she’s hoping for a call from the BBC.
“We’ve had such a variety of classes and experiences since the shed was set up, we’ve done Tai Chi, massage, chair aerobics, crafts and even line dancing. It’s been brilliant. We’ll end up on Strictly Come Dancing yet,” she says, laughing.
‘A laugh and a chat’
Mountbellew Women’s Shed, from left; Una Raftery, Bernie Sweeney, Claire Donnellan, Cllr Alan Harney, Joan Tannian, Christina McHugh, Teresa King and Kathleen Keating at an International Cuisine event hosted during Culture Week.
Mary Guiry says the Women’s Shed has made a huge difference to her life.
“I’m a widow and it has been very lonely being on my own but I’ve made so many friends through this who I meet not only at the meetings but down the town, in the shops or out and about,” she says.
“I look forward to my Wednesday nights so much. We had a mosaic class a few weeks ago and I made a cup and a saucer that came out really well, I’m delighted with it.”
Dr Megan Vine, of University of Limerick’s Department of Psychology, has embarked on a two-year research project to evaluate Women’s Sheds Ireland, funded by Research Ireland.
Speaking to Irish Country Living, Dr Vine says the growth of Women’s Sheds in Ireland has been phenomenal.
“No real research has been conducted into Women’s Sheds which have flourished in Ireland in recent years, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic,” she says.
“We put a call out to organisers of Sheds across the country to be involved in this participatory research project and we have a wonderful group of nine women who know the challenges facing sheds and they will guide our research.
“The Women’s Sheds are a real recognition of the need for women to have space to connect. It’s not all about knitting and gossiping, as some people seem to think.
“They offer so much more, they’re a social movement which empower women and give them strength and connections as well as offering them improved psychological wellbeing.”
Dr Vine says the key aim of her research, which is in collaboration with Dr Ronnie Greenwood in UL, is to strengthen the case for improved funding and resources for Sheds all over the country.
Anne Brennan taking part in the Women Shed, Newcastle west Tai Chi at Desmond College, Co Limerick. \ Brendan Gleeson
“There are many organisational and financial challenges facing sheds, which are run by volunteers with very little structured funding support,” she says.
“Social prescribers are sending people to Sheds as the benefits are proven, yet the supports aren’t there. We’re hoping this research will provide the evidence needed of the value that Sheds offer communities.”
In east Galway, a local craft group decided to join the Women’s Shed movement last year and with 25 members now being part of the group, Mountbellew is feeling the benefits.
Una Raftery, a Mountbellew Shed member, says the beauty of the group is there are no hard and fast rules.
“We have ladies in their late 30s all the way up to 75 and it’s a very relaxed, enjoyable weekly meet-up where there is no onus or pressure on anyone to attend,” she says.
“Our members come from all over the area, as far as Ballymackward, Skehana and Newbridge and we meet every Thursday in the community centre. There is no age limit, we’re open to all and the members exchange their skills and talents with each other.
“We’ve received some funding from Galway Rural Development and we hold a stall at the Christmas market every year where we sell our crafts to raise money for the Shed.
“We had daughters of some of our members come in to learn how to make Christmas wreaths and they’ll be back with us next month for the St Brigid’s crosses, but the main aim of our weekly meet-ups is to have a chat and a laugh. That is what keeps us all going, a night out for people and a nice way to find out about events happening in the area.
“It’s a great way to make friends for those who have moved into the area, or who have been bereaved or are going through a marital breakdown.”
Dr Vine says she will be seeking further input from Women’s Sheds around the country this year as she conducts her research.
“We are finalising the initial stages of the research at the moment but by February or March, we hope to hold focus groups with sheds around the country.
“This will help us learn more about this remarkable movement that is making such a difference in the lives of women all over Ireland,” she says.
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