Local groups &
resources

A ‘men’s shed‘ is a community-based project, where men can come together to learn, share skills and make long-lasting friendships together. All sheds are independent and self-autonomous, and the range of activities carried out by sheds differ from the next. Most sheds engage in activities such as woodwork, gardening, carpentry, and community work. However, there are more special interests sheds that focus on things like music, fishing, and restoration work.

Please see our full list of men’s sheds in Cork:

Ballinora Men’s Shed | Midleton Mens Shed | Carraig na bhFear Men’s Shed | Knocknaheeny/ Hollyhill Men’s Shed | The Busy Brigade Men’s Shed | Macroom Mens Shed | Spangle Hill Men’s Shed | Passage West Men’s Shed | Kinsale Men’s Shed | Shandon Men’s Shed | Glen, Ballyvolane & Dublin Hill Men’s Shed | Headway Cork Men’s Shed | Mayfield Men’s Shed | Cobh Mens Shed | Douglas / Frankfield Men’s Shed | Owenabue Men’s Shed | Glounthaune Men’s Shed | Bishopstown Men’s Shed | Fermoy Men’s Shed | Glanmire Men’s Shed | Blarney Men’s Shed | Bothán Chleire Men’s Shed | Ballincollig Men’s Shed | Charleville Men’s Shed | Shandon has music Men’s Shed | Ballyphehane Men’s Shed | Skibbereen Men’s Shed | Meitheal Mara Men’s Shed | Youghal Men’s Shed | Allihies Men’s Shed | Kanturk Men’s Shed | Cloyne Men’s Shed | Le Cheile Mallow Men’s Shed | Carrigaline Men’s Shed | Carrigtwohill Men’s Shed | Millstreet Men’s Shed

The ICA is the largest women’s association in Ireland, with circa 8,000 members and over 440 Guilds across the Country. We cook, travel, craft, and socialise! The aim of the ICA is to provide a welcoming and fun organisation that offers support, friendship, personal development, education and live long learning.

The ICA has various guilds in Cork so contact them to find out where your nearest guild is. 

We seek to ensure that every person living with arthritis in Ireland is supported to live a full and active life, having access to appropriate health services and treatments. We work to ensure an enhanced quality of life for people living with arthritis, minimising the devastating effects that arthritis can have on lives.

Active Retirement Ireland (ARI) is a voluntary organisation for older people with a national membership of over 24,500 people and over 550 local associations. Members range in age from 50 -100+ years and cover a range of socio-economic backgrounds. As an organisation, ARI believes that all older people are equal and are entitled to be treated with respect. Older people all have different interests and needs, which ARI aims to identify and fulfil.

Active retirement groups in Cork: 

Ardgroom | Aughadown | Baile Mhuirne | Ballincollig | Banteer | Bere Island | Blarney | Boherbue Over 50’s Active Club | Canovee Circle of Friends Group | Cape Clear | Carrigaline | Carrigtwohill  | Castletownbere | Clonakilty Friendship Club | Coachford | Darrara (Clonakility) | Dennehy’s Cross | Doneraile | Donoughmore | Douglas | Drimoleague | Drinagh | Dromtariffe Active Club | Dunmanway | Enniskeane | Fermoy & District |Frankfield / Grange | Get up and Go Club | Glanmire & District | Glounthaune | Kanturk | Kilbrittain | Kilmeen / Castleventry | Kilmurry | Kilshannig | Kilworth | Kinsale | Little Island | Macroom | Mallow | Ballyclough | Midleton | Millstreet Over 50’s | Newcestown | Ovens/Farran | Retired Peoples Network Cork | Ringaskiddy | S.W.E.L.S. Cobh | Sallybrook Glanmire | Timoleague | Kilbrin | Tracton | Turner’s Cross | Wilton | Youghal

The Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service supports cities, counties and towns across Ireland to prepare for the rapid ageing of our population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults. Local Age-friendly programmes work to provide walkable streets, housing and transportation options, access to key services and opportunities for older people to participate in community activities. By doing so, these communities are better equipped to become great places, and were appropriate lifelong homes, for people of all ages.

Age Friendly Ireland

ALONE provides Housing with Support, Support Coordination, Befriending, BConnect training and technology, and Campaigns for Change to hundreds of older people every week, who are homeless, socially isolated, living in deprivation or in crisis.

A ‘men’s shed‘ is a community-based project, where men can come together to learn, share skills and make long-lasting friendships together. All sheds are independent and self-autonomous, and the range of activities carried out by sheds differ from the next. Most sheds engage in activities such as woodwork, gardening, carpentry, and community work. However, there are more special interests sheds that focus on things like music, fishing, and restoration work.

Please see our full list of men’s sheds in Dublin:

Raheny | Skelly’s Lane | Pitstop Krew SC Men’s Shed | Raytown | Rathcoole | Baldoyle | Dundrum | Bluebell | Rathmines | Fairview/Marino | Orwell | Templeogue | Inchicore | Killester | Knocklyon | Coolock | Palmerstown | Clondalkin | Liberties | Loughlinstown & Ballybrack | Fingal | Priorswood | Portland Row | Artane | Donaghmede | Swords | Glencullen | Skerries | Firhouse | Plunketts | Donabate & Portrane | Ballyloan | East Wall | Dublin 12 | Finglas | Tallaght | Brookview & Fettercairn | Phibsborough | Blackrock | Ballinteer | Cabra | Ballyfermot | Rush | Slade Valley | Ayrfield | Beaumont | Mulhuddart | Lucan | Portmarnock | Ballyboughal | Terenure | Ballymun | Balbriggan | Crumlin | Clondalkin | Newcastle | St. Judes | Headway Blackhall Green | Dun Laoghaire | Morning Star Hostel | Rialto | Sandyford | Deaf Men’s Shed Cabra

Active Retirement Ireland (ARI) is a voluntary organisation for older people with a national membership of over 24,500 people and over 550 local associations. Members range in age from 50 -100+ years and cover a range of socio-economic backgrounds. As an organisation, ARI believes that all older people are equal and are entitled to be treated with respect. Older people all have different interests and needs, which ARI aims to identify and fulfil.

Active retirement groups in Dublin: 

Balbriggan | Baldoyle | Balscadden Herrings | Blackrock & Monkstown | Dominics Lady’s Crochet | Dun Laoghaire | Esker | Howth & District | Kill O’ the Grange | Ladies Social Group, Newcastle | Lucan | Malahide | Portmarnock Bowling Club | R.A.M.S. A.R.A. Newcastle | Rathcoole | Skerries | Stillorgan & Kilmacud

Friends of the Elderly works hard to provide a wide range of social programmes for older people who would benefit from a friendly chat or a social outing. With the help of our many dedicated volunteers and donors, we provide companionship, support, social engagement, inter-generational activities, and community-based services.

We work with a multitude of public and private partners such as government departments, local authorities, health services, universities, community groups, arts and culture organisations and local sports groups to provide opportunities for older people to be more active; more visible; more creative; more connected; more often.

Ability West has been providing services and supports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities and comorbidities for 59 years. Over 600 children and adults avail of our services and supports in 13 geographic locations with 62 centres located across Galway City and County. 

Click here to view the locations

Age Action is Ireland’s leading advocacy organisation for older people and ageing. As well as informing and influencing policy we provide practical programmes to support older people to age in place and combat digital exclusion through our Care and Repair, Getting Started and Information Service. 

The Senior citizens group was established in 2002 with the help of Anna Killeen and Bridget McPhilbin, to give the more mature residents of the Bohermore Area a place to meet and socialise once a week.

They meet on a Friday afternoon from 2pm to 4pm. The group has 10 regular members who actively participate in regular group outings and weekends away throughout the year. The group enjoys their Friday sessions with a game of bingo, a space to meet and chat, continue to build friendships as well as share information on health and welfare, and keep informed of upcoming events.

A ‘men’s shed‘ is a community-based project, where men can come together to learn, share skills and make long-lasting friendships together. All sheds are independent and self-autonomous, and the range of activities carried out by sheds differ from the next. Most sheds engage in activities such as woodwork, gardening, carpentry, and community work. However, there are more special interests sheds that focus on things like music, fishing, and restoration work.

Please see our full list of men’s sheds in Galway:

Roscam & Doughiska | Athenry | Portumna | Loughrea | Headford/Solas | Shantalla | Lackagh | Seid na bhFear Dhuiche Sheoigheach | Ballygar | Salthill | Ballybane | Dunmore | Croi na Gaillimhe | Kinvara | An Seid Cumann na bhFear | Clarenbridge | Ballinasloe | Gort | Cró na bhFear Maighcuilinn | Oranmore | Tuam | Oughterard

Active Retirement Ireland (ARI) is a voluntary organisation for older people with a national membership of over 24,500 people and over 550 local associations. Members range in age from 50 -100+ years and cover a range of socio-economic backgrounds. As an organisation, ARI believes that all older people are equal and are entitled to be treated with respect. Older people all have different interests and needs, which ARI aims to identify and fulfil.

Active retirement groups in Galway: 

Activity & Social Group | Athenry | Aughrim | Ballinasloe | Ballymoe & District | Barna/Furbo | Bushy Park | Castlegar | Claregalway/Carnmore | Clifden | Corofin Bowls Group | Craughwell/Ballymana | Doughiska, Roscam, Ardawn | Duniry & District | Dunmore | Eyrecourt Meelick Clonfert | Galway City Centre | Gort | Killimor | Kinvara | Knocknacarra | Loughrea Activity Association | Menlough & District | Mervue | Mountbellew | Moycullen Activities & Social Group | Newcastle (Galway City) | Oughterard | Portumna & District | Renmore  | Salthill Galway | Tuam | Turloughmore Bowling Club

Retirement can come too early for many people who want and are able to remain active. Probus clubs are organizations for men and women who have retired from their profession or business and want to maintain a social network with others who have similar interests. The club meets at least once a month for fellowship and to hear guest speakers.

Bobby Byrnes, O’Connell Avenue | Brownes Lounge, Parteen | Plassey House, University of Limerick | Greenhills Hotel | Oakwood Arms Hotel | South Court Hotel | Strand Hotel | Woodfield House Hotel

Limerick Federation of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association was formed in 1944. However, Limerick has been associated with ICA since the organisation was founded in 1910 and known originally as the United Irishwomen. Early minute books record that ‘Limerick women were among the earliest members of the United Irishwomen and list the names of Miss Smith -O’Brien, Ardagh, Miss Spring-Rice, Foynes, Mrs Cleary and Miss Gaffney, Kilmallock, Miss Hunt and Miss Bennett, Bruff and Miss Barrington, Murroe’.

The ICA has various guilds in Limerick so contact them to find out where your nearest guild is.

A ‘men’s shed‘ is a community-based project, where men can come together to learn, share skills and make long-lasting friendships together. All sheds are independent and self-autonomous, and the range of activities carried out by sheds differ from the next. Most sheds engage in activities such as woodwork, gardening, carpentry, and community work. However, there are more special interests sheds that focus on things like music, fishing, and restoration work.

Please see our full list of men’s sheds in Limerick:

Garryowen Men’s Shed | Headway Limerick Men’s Shed | Herbertstown and District Men’s Shed | Limerick City Build Men’s Shed | Total Familes Limerick Men’s Shed | Mulcair Men’s Shed | Abbeyfeale Men’s Shed | Glin Mens Shed | Caherdavin & District Mens Shed | Kilmallock Men’s Shed | Adare Men’s Shed | LMHA Men’s Shed | Doon & District Men’s Shed | Newcastle West Men’s Shed | Galbally Men’s Shed | Dooradoyle Raheen Men’s Shed | Our Lady of Lourdes Men’s Shed | Croom FRC Men’s Shed | IWA Men’s Shed | St Mary’s Parish Men’s Shed | Northside FRC Men’s Shed | Bruff Men’s Shed | St Patricks Men’s Shed | Southhill Men’s Shed

Active Retirement Ireland (ARI) is a voluntary organisation for older people with a national membership of over 24,500 people and over 550 local associations. Members range in age from 50 -100+ years and cover a range of socio-economic backgrounds. As an organisation, ARI believes that all older people are equal and are entitled to be treated with respect. Older people all have different interests and needs, which ARI aims to identify and fulfil.

Active retirement groups in  Limerick: 

A. C. M. Active Social Group | Adare | ARA na Féile (Abbeyfeale) | ARRA Friends Newcastle West | Askeaton /Ballysteen | Ballyagran/Castletown/Colmanswell | Broadford & District | Brothers of Charity | Bruff | Caherconlish Caherline CLG | Caherdavin & District | County Limerick Civil Defence | Croom | Dawn Court Neighbours At 3 | Feenagh Kilmeedy Over 50 Club | Galbally | Janesboro (Our Lady Queen of Peace) | Kilfinane | Kilmallock | Knocklong | Lansdowne | Limerick Central | Limerick City | Limerick City and County Council | Limerick Institute of Technology | Monaleen/Milford | Murroe | Newcastle West B.O.C | Our Lady of the Rosary | Pallasgreen Limerick | Patrickswell | Raheen Co. Limerick | St. Brigids & St. Patricks | Thursday Club (Clarina)

The Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service supports cities, counties and towns across Ireland to prepare for the rapid ageing of our population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults. Local Age-friendly programmes work to provide walkable streets, housing and transportation options, access to key services and opportunities for older people to participate in community activities. By doing so, these communities are better equipped to become great places, and were appropriate lifelong homes, for people of all ages.

Active Retirement Ireland (ARI) is a voluntary organisation for older people with a national membership of over 24,500 people and over 550 local associations. Members range in age from 50 -100+ years and cover a range of socio-economic backgrounds. As an organisation, ARI believes that all older people are equal and are entitled to be treated with respect. Older people all have different interests and needs, which ARI aims to identify and fulfil.

Active retirement groups in Waterford: 

Cappoquin | Cheekpoint & Faithlegg | Cnoc Bui | Comeragh | Deise | Dolmen | Dungarvan & District | Edmund Rice | Gaultier | Sacred Heart | Slievekeale | St. Pauls and District Men’s | Suir | Tay & Mahon Valley | Tramore | W.O.W (Women of Wonder)

Waterford federation is active and interacts with Guilds on a regular basis and well represented by Guilds right across the County from Dunmore East to Tramore and on to Ardmore at the opposite end.

Our members’ interests are diverse and this creates opportunities for potential members to find something of interest to them. We have Guilds interested in Arts, whether as a spectator at shows, dramas etc. or taking part in painting and sketching, photography or floral arranging. Some Guilds are into singing for pleasure, set dancing or amateur dramatics. Some of our members are very interested in crafts. Waterford ICA are proud to be involved in the preservation of traditional handcrafts, many of which would no longer exist if it were not for our craft teachers, past and present, who continue to promote them in classes both in the County and at An Grianán.

We have many County craft days where some members come along to learn a particular craft and others bring an on-going project to get some work done in a friendly welcoming atmosphere.

The ICA has various guilds in Waterford, so contact them to find out where your nearest guild is.

A ‘men’s shed‘ is a community-based project, where men can come together to learn, share skills and make long-lasting friendships together. All sheds are independent and self-autonomous, and the range of activities carried out by sheds differ from the next. Most sheds engage in activities such as woodwork, gardening, carpentry, and community work. However, there are more special interests sheds that focus on things like music, fishing, and restoration work.

Please see our full list of men’s sheds in Waterford:

Lios Mor Mochuda Men’s Shed | Waterford Men’s Shed | Deise Mens Shed | Kilbarry Men’s Shed | Shedworx Men’s Shed | Portlaw Men’s Shed | Dungarvan Men’s Shed | New Community Men’s Shed | Waterford Estuary Men’s Shed

The Deise Women’s Shed are a community group based in Dungarvan. Our mission is to provide a forum where women can come together regularly to share skills, have a chat and socialise with other members. We also engage with community programmes and activities. 

Active Retirement Ireland (ARI) is a voluntary organisation for older people with a national membership of over 24,500 people and over 550 local associations. Members range in age from 50 -100+ years and cover a range of socio-economic backgrounds. As an organisation, ARI believes that all older people are equal and are entitled to be treated with respect. Older people all have different interests and needs, which ARI aims to identify and fulfil.

Active retirement groups in Waterford: 

Ballyfoyle & District | Ballyragget | Callan & District | Castlecomer | Freshford | Going Strong Danesfort | Graignamanagh | Johnstown & District | Johnswell & District | Kilkenny | Kilmacow | Mullinavat | Pal Club Kilmanagh | Slieverue | St. Mullins & District | Stoneyford | Thomastown & District | Urlingford Thursday

County Kilkenny federation of ICA has several hundred members in 18 guilds, with an ethos based on friendship with women and further education. Handcrafts, computers, and all of the old traditional Irish crafts are our main activities. Classes in computers, digital cameras, handcrafts, gardening, flower arranging, swimming, and physical fitness may also be available. Visits to An Grianán in Co Louth, ICA’s Adult Education College, are arranged. Members go on weekend trips and there is an annual international trip. There is a hand-craft week in March every year. Meetings are held once a month. Some guilds hold craft nights weekly.

Guilds in Co Kilkenny include Ballyouskill, Ballyragget, Callan, Clara, Clough, Crannagh, Glenmore, Graine, Hugginstown, Kilkenny City, Kilmacow, Owning, Sevenhouses, Templeorum, Thomastown, Tory Hill, Urlingford, Windgap.

A ‘men’s shed‘ is a community-based project, where men can come together to learn, share skills and make long-lasting friendships together. All sheds are independent and self-autonomous, and the range of activities carried out by sheds differ from the next. Most sheds engage in activities such as woodwork, gardening, carpentry, and community work. However, there are more special interests sheds that focus on things like music, fishing, and restoration work.

Please see our full list of men’s sheds in Kilkenny:

Castlecomer & District Men’s Shed | Kilkenny Men’s Shed | Callan Men’s Shed | Fen Mens Shed | D.G.K Men’s Shed | Graiguenamanagh Men’s Shed | Ferrybank Men’s Shed | Thomastown Men’s Shed | Mooncoin Men’s Shed

Founded in 2010 as part of the World Health Organisations network of Age Friendly Cities and counties. Its Vision is that Kilkenny City and County will be a great place to grow old in, enjoyed and appreciated by everyone. Kilkenny will be a county that enables its people to age with security, dignity, and the capacity to participate as citizens to their fullest potential. The Age Friendly Programme involves a multi-agency, multi-sectoral approach to age-related planning and service provision through the Age Friendly Alliance Committee.  The Alliance aims to address the expressed concerns of older people within Kilkenny City and County.