Funding boost for 15 Men’s Sheds in Mayo
A FUNDING boost - €500,000 - to support the work of Men’s Sheds throughout Ireland has been announced.
As part of the measure, Minister Michael Ring has made provision for €21,739 to be provided to the 15 Men’s Sheds in Mayo, pending successful applications by the individual Sheds.
This capital funding provides small grants to individual Men’s Sheds to enable them to purchase equipment or to carry out minor works to improve their Shed.
The following Men’s Sheds in Mayo are eligible for funding under the scheme:
Ballina Men's Shed
Ballinrobe Men's Shed
Ballyhaunis Men's Shed
Castlebar Men's Shed
Charlestown and District Men's Shed
Claremorris Men's Shed
Crossmolina Men's Shed
Erris Men's Shed
Glen Neiphin Men's Shed, Lahardane
Kiltimagh Men's Shed
Mulranny Men's Shed
Newport Men's Shed
Round Tower Men's Shed, Killala
Swinford Men's Shed
Westport Men's Shed
Speaking at the announcement of the funding in Claremorris Men’s Shed today, Minister Ring said: “I have set aside funding of €21,739 for the 15 Men’s Sheds in Mayo in order to purchase equipment or to carry out minor works to improve their Shed. I would like to see as many of them as possible, ideally all of them, avail of this funding.
“It is up to the individual Sheds to submit applications to Mayo LCDC in order to avail of the funding and I urge them to do so by the August 31 deadline.”
Application details can be found on www.drcd.gov.ie and on www.Mayococo.ie.
Added the minister: “The emergence of the Men’s Sheds has been an extremely positive development for communities in Mayo and across Ireland. In towns, villages and cities which I have visited, I am continually struck by the great work they do in supporting important community initiatives. Among their ranks they have great expertise, experience and know-how and make a massive contribution to their local communities.
“For example, in Claremorris Men’s Shed, which I visited today, the members were very involved in providing stewarding and making signage for the Claremorris Darkness Into Light event. They also made scarecrows in their workshop which were displayed around the town during the local Claremorris Scarecrow Festival.
“I’m aware that many Men’s Sheds support Tidy Towns groups as they prepare their local communities for that competition.
“In recent years, Men’s Sheds have become a fixture of life in towns and villages throughout Ireland. There are now 15 Sheds in Mayo and almost 350 around the country and they offer a safe, comfortable and inclusive environment where men of all ages can share skills, work on meaningful projects and connect with their communities.
“I have decided to introduce this funding in recognition of the wonderful work that Men’s Sheds do. The funding is being provided following discussions with the Irish Men’s Shed Association.”