WOMEN'S SHED: One local group is planning to set up a Women's Shed. Pictured l-r were: Mary Fitzgerald, Marilyn Catapat-Counihan (Coordinator of KASI), Gladys Mteshani and Sheila Casey. Photo: Francis Foley

By Michelle Crean

With four new sewing machines one local group is planning to set up a Women’s Shed – which is probably the first of its kind in Kerry.

Coordinator of KASI, Marilyn Catapat-Counihan, is very excited about this new initiative.

The Women’s Shed, just like the Men’s Shed will be a place of ‘creativity’ and also a social place to meet other women with shared interests. The group will focus on sewing, quilting, knitting, embroidery and other crafty activities.

To kick start the project, the group received a grant of €950 from the Community Enhancement Programme by the Dept. of Rural and Community Development and administered by Kerry County Council. The grant was used to buy four sewing machines.

The Women’s Shed is open to every woman and not just for Migrant women, Marilyn explained.

“Like most of our projects, we want this not just exclusively for asylum seekers, refugee or other migrant women, but also for indigenous/local women in Killarney or any part of Kerry, if they are willing to travel.”

The meetings and activities will be held in their beautiful and cosy log cabin which is located in KASI’s own Community Garden in Ballycasheen, Killarney.

“I think having the activities in the log cabin right where our community garden is ideal. It is such a beautiful and therapeutic place to be. I know that women will be inspired to create something, make connections and have fun,” she added.

They are meeting every Friday from 10am to 1pm and Wednesday from 4 – 7pm.

For further information contact Marilyn at 086 79 15 742.