Portlaoise Women's Shed in Laois gets off to great start

Women's shed Portlaoise members met with Aiden McCane and Stephanie Kellly from Estate management

placeholder image — Women's shed Portlaoise members met with Aiden McCane and Stephanie Kellly from Estate management

Portlaoise group strive for inclusiveness in all activities

Nearly 40 local women have signed up to join a Women’s Shed group in Portlaoise which is supported by Laois Partnership and Laois County Council.

After months of hard work and lots of interest, the group finally got up and running on St Valentine’s Day.

Thanks to the success and popularity of the first meetings, a committee was formed made up of Chairperson Avril O’Brien, Secretary Sabrina Bowden, Treasurer Mary McGrath and PRO Maria McCormack.

Chairperson Avril OBrien said: "We are very excited about our new venture".

They have also met at the community centre in St Brigid’s with Aiden McCane and Stephanie Kellly from estate management to discuss how the local authority can support the initiative.

The group’s latest meeting took place on Thursday, February 29 in the Laois Partnership offices on the Timahoe Road in Portlaoise. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Ms McCormack said there has been lots of interest from women looking to join.

“Our group is full of women from all walks of life and all ages and abilities. We strive for inclusiveness in all our activities and our projects will all be centred around enjoyment and laughter for our group,” she said its PRO.

They are planning for a day trip to Tullamore Women's Shed and organising activities to celebrate International Women's Day on Friday, March 8.

Anyone who wishes to contact the new group can email [email protected] with queries.

Women's Sheds were set up for women of all ages to reconnect with themselves and the wider community. The overall aim is for the sheds to be safe places where women can come together and take part in various projects and share skills.