Farney is a collective term for five parishes in South Co. Monaghan, bordering the counties of Armagh, Louth, Meath and Cavan. It has a population of approximately twenty thousand, with Carrickmacross is its principal town.

On 16 June 1993, as a response to the need in Farney for socio-economic reconstruction, twenty-eight voluntary community groups came together to form an umbrella group that would be located in Carrickmacross and Farney Community Development Group. 

Our primary aim is to enhance the quality of life of the community of Farney by creating wealth through sustainable employment. This aim is to be carried out without distinction of age, gender, race, class, politics or religion.

Carrickmacross Workhouse is a restored Union Workhouse dating from 1842. The primary aim of the Workhouse is to operate as a one-stop shop for various community groups and agencies operating in the area, to allow them to integrate together to offer services such as, information provision, training, and employment opportunities to our community.