‘All it takes is a little encouragement’

Hen’s sheds across Cavan are laying the groundwork for the establishment of a provincial forum that will have a role in bringing local issues to national attention.

The latest step on the path to seeing a women’s/hen’s Ulster forum established came about when members of hens sheds in Belturbet, Cootehill and Kilnaleck met with ladies from Kerry.

The Tralee Hen’s Shed representatives included Shelia R. Martin, Annette O’Sullivan and Maria Fitzgerald, who have been to the fore in terms of supporting similar forums set up in Munster, Leinster and Connaught.

Unlike men’s sheds, hen’s or women’s sheds do not currently operate under a single national representative body. The result is that it makes it more difficult for the organisation to avail of supports such as government funding.

The drive to set up provincial committees first, followed by a national forum, follows an announcement last year by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, to award seed funding of €100,000 to support women’s sheds.

The initiative, the first of its kind, was in recognition of the fact that there is a growing number of women’s sheds across the country, and grants from Minister Humphreys' Department in the region of €1,000 - €2,000 could be used by sheds to expand, run activities, or to help cover running costs.

Speaking to The Anglo-Celt, Margaret Murtagh, chair of the Belturbet Hen’s Shed, said that the department ringfencing money specifically to support women’s sheds was an important step forward for the community-based movement.

She said that the women’s sheds are a relatively new phenomenon in comparison to the men’s shed network, but Margaret stated that those involved are as “passionate” about what they’re doing and further believes that the work they’re doing is “important”.

The Cavan and Kerry shed representatives met at Cavan’s Hotel Kilmore earlier this month and Margaret says: “It was very informative. The other areas have their forums, and I suppose we need to begin working now with sheds in Donegal and Monaghan in a way that brings Ulster together.”

The Belturbet shed was established in 2016, with other areas following, as a way of meeting a need in the community - helping to tackle social isolation and providing a safe space for women to come together, socialise, and build friendships.

“We’ve been supporting and helping [Cootehill and Kilnaleck] and now they’re helping and supporting other groups setting up. There’s one in Ballinagh about to start. So all it takes is a little encouragement. We have between 30 or 40 and sometimes 50 attending our meetings every week, which is great, and it shows that there is a want and a need for something like it in the community.”

Already tentative contact has been made with sheds in other Ulster counties, and Margaret says the process from there will allow for the appointment of two people to sit on the national forum.

“It’s about building relationships as well, and creating links between sheds, so that there is a network of supports there and available.”