Mixed reaction to funding for men’s sheds
Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
MEN’S sheds in Carlow have had mixed reaction to the funding details released by the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Irish Men’s Shed Association (IMSA) recently.
Tullow Men’s Shed received €676.69 and Borris received €908.60, while the Carlow Town Men’s Shed was awarded €2,785.37, according to details released by minister Dara Calleary.
All of the 450 sheds across Ireland were invited in August 2025 to apply for up to €3,000 in funding to cover running costs, including heating, rent, utilities, insurance and other receipted expenses.
For Tullow, this year’s funding was significantly lower than what they received in previous years. Frank Morris of Tullow Men’s Shed said the department has “changed the rules”, causing them uncertainty over what they should pay for out of each funding source.
“It’s a bit unfair the way they’ve done it,” he said. “Because we didn’t know they were going to give this information. We had got money â say a local councillor gave you something out of their discretionary fund â and we paid for electricity bills out of that. So, if you’ve already paid for it out of any other help other than your own funds, you couldn’t claim for it twice.
“We were already struggling. There were times there last year that we were nearly thinking of pulling the plug because it was so tight,” said Frank. “We’re all volunteers – €3,000 would make a big difference.”
Tullow Men’s Shed is one of 60 sheds that received less than €1,000 from the 2025 funding allocation. Among those 369 sheds across the country that received funding, an average of €2,046.51 was granted.
Committee members of the Carlow and Borris sheds were altogether more positive about the funding announcement.
“We were quite happy with what we got,” said Tony Haywood, chair of the Borris shed. He said they do not have to pay rent or electricity, thanks to the generosity of their “very accommodating” landlords in Borris House. The money they received covered insurance, tea, and coffee expenses of the previous year.
Similarly, Leo Maher, treasurer of Carlow Town Men’s Shed, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to get the finance – it really does help us pay our bills.” However, he did concede that the application process was “not simple”, with a complicated timeframe straddling the years 2024 and 2025.
“I won’t say it was confusing, but you really did need to read it, which is something a lot of us don’t do in the first round. But I can understand it: this is government money; they have to know where it’s going and what it’s for.
“There were delays, but at the end of the day we got the few bob and we’re happy with that,” said Leo.
In response to questions about plans for the 2026 scheme, minister of state with responsibility for public health Jennifer Murnane O’Connor said: “I have spoken with minister Calleary and he has informed me that the 2026 fund will be opening for applications soon and I will work with Tullow to ensure that they apply for all the costs that they are entitled to.
“Within my own remit in the Department of Health, provides funding to Men’s Sheds Ireland, which covers staffing and administration costs, as well as the programme, which promotes positive mental health among shed members,” she continued.
Despite administrative hurdles, all were convinced of the value of the sheds in the community. “It gets men that might not have been doing anything but staring at four walls out and about. It’s good for their mental health, and there’s a side benefit for the local community,” noted Tony Haywood.
