Donegal women’s sheds granted funding for the first time

As women’s sheds grow in popularity in Donegal, the government has announced funding for the community groups for the first time.

€500,000 funding has been announced today to support 372 Men’s and Women’s Sheds across Ireland. Funding of almost €30,000 has been granted for 26 groups in Donegal. This allocation will include women’s sheds for the first time, including four in Donegal.

The Sciobal na mban in Gaoth Dobhair, Rosses Womens Shed/ Scioból Ban na Rosann in Dungloe (pictured above), Greencaste Community Womens’s Shed and Mná a’ Port Mhaise in Magheraroarty have been counted among the 26 shed groups benefitting from this funding.

Mr Michael Ring TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, said:

“I introduced funding for Men’s Sheds in 2018 in recognition of the great support that they provide to men in communities across Ireland. Since its establishment less than ten years ago, the impact of the Men’s Sheds movement has been phenomenal.

“I have decided to extend this funding to Women’s Sheds. Having witnessed the exceptionally positive impact of Men’s Sheds in recent years, I’ve no doubt that the emergence of Women’s Sheds can only be a good thing for community life in Ireland

“I’m delighted that 33 Women’s Shed Groups have availed of the funding on offer and I hope to see this number grow in coming years.”

Minister Ring continued: “A relatively small amount of money can go a long way and investment in groups like Men’s & Women’s sheds will be put to excellent use in local communities throughout the country.” 

Minister Joe McHugh welcomed the funding allocations and said: “The men and women running Sheds groups around the county are going from strength to strength, doing ever more impressive work on the ground. They have become a brilliant asset for our communities.

“It is fantastic to see so many groups across Donegal being supported by Government to improve facilities and offer more to their members and encouraging more people to join.

“This funding of almost €30,000 for 26 groups is helping to pay for tools, equipment, furniture, extension work, new machinery, technology and among other things. And it builds on the funding which started in 2018 by the Government.”

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