October 2007

LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL DURROW VILLAGE PLAN: A PUBLIC CONSULTATION will be held on Tuesday 16 October from 5.00pm to 8.00pm in The Presentation Centre, Durrow. Everyone is welcome to attend. The Village Plan Brief is intended to inform the Community about the preparation of the Village Plan for their local area. The Village Plans to be prepared under the Laois County Development Plan 2006-2012 will aim to provide for the consolidated and sensitive development of each village in County Laois.

MEALS ON WHEELS: On Monday 8th October we launched a new Meals-on-Wheels service for Durrow and district. Initially we will provide a full meal for 15 people on 3 days each week. It is intended to extend the numbers involved after a period of perfecting the service. We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to the Church Gate Collection and also to the ongoing contributions still coming in. Thanks to all the committee and FAS who have worked hard to make this venture possible. Also thanks to the people who have volunteered their time to deliver meals. The more people involved the lighter the work load will be, so if you feel you have something to offer in any way please contact any member of the committee:
Arthur Lappin, Marie Clooney, Michael Lanigan, Eileen Keenan, Pius Hennessy, Mary Walsh, Marie Phelan, Jacinta Brennan and John Donohue.

DURROW DEVELOPMENT FORUM: Computer Course: The Computer course previously advertised commences on Friday 19th October. All places are now full.
Courthouse Project: Forum members Walter Foyle and Hughie Sheppard attended a recent site meeting at the Courthouse along with architects, engineers and Laois County Council officials where satisfaction with ongoing progress was reported. When completed the courthouse project will contain an upgraded library with IT facilities, Toilets, kitchen and a community museum area. This an exciting project in Durrow which will prove to be of immense value to young and old in our community.
Museum Area: Durrow Development Forum is making an appeal to people in the locality and beyond who may like to donate artefacts to the museum. We can assure interested patrons that all artefacts donations will be suitable recorded and acknowledged and displayed in a proper museum environment. Enquiries to Hughie Sheppard, Mary Walsh or Walter Foyle.
Durrow 300: Plans are at an advanced stage for the celebration of Durrow 300 in 2008. Recent meetings between the Forum, local traders and interested individuals have proven to be positive and encouraging. However, with in excess of 40 events planned for 2008 we need more people to come forward to lend a hand. If you are in a position to help in any way please contact any member of Durrow Development Forum.

DURROW DEVELOPMENT FORUM PLAYGROUND: Following exhaustive research by Durrow Development Forum to source a site for a children’s playground in Durrow, it is heartening to learn that Laois County Council officials are currently in talks with the owners of the land (Coffey Construction) behind the former Esso station for this purpose. A children’s playground for Durrow has been on the agenda of Durrow Development Forum for a considerable length of time and these talks are the result of contacts made by the Forum with Mr. Coffey and subsequent meetings regarding the playground issue with relevant staff of Laois County Council. We are keeping our fingers crossed that this very worthwhile amenity will become a reality in 2008.

DANCE CLASSES: Aisling Walsh, Dance Academy will continue in Durrow Community Hall on Tuesdays from 6pm to 7pm for three to six year olds and from 7pm to 8pm for seven years to teenagers.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: A Youth Ossory Pilgrimage under the patron of the Bishop of Ossory will take place in Sydney in July 2008 for two weeks. Pilgrims participating in various pilgrimage activities. Must be aged 20 years approx. and must be actively involved in Church activities e.g. Choir. Phone Breeda (057) 8736830 or (086) 1915929 for further details.
Thank you: The collectors of the Church Gate Collection for Gorta held recently in Durrow wish to thank everyone who contributed. The amount collected was €398.35.
The Rosary is being recited at the Grotto at St. Fintan’s Terrace each evening at 7.00pm for the month of October. All are welcome.

DURROW ACTIVE OVER 50s CLUB: Meetings continue every Tuesday night from 7.30pm to 9.00pm in the Boy’s School. New members are always welcome.

IRISH WHEELCHAIR ASSOCIATION: The Irish Wheelchair Association are seeking volunteers to participate in their Annual Sponsored International Walk in Arizona taking in the Grand Canyon and many other places of interest. The walk will take place next Easter from 19th to 29th March 2008. The funds raised will help the Irish Wheelchair Association provide essential services for people with physical disability in your area. For further information please contact: Peadar Doogue (087) 2824556 or any branch or office of the Irish Wheelchair Association in you area.

ABBEYLEIX FURTHER EDUCATION CENTRE: As advised the following courses are available:
Adult Education Courses ‘07/’08 include: Leaving/Junior Cert. Full-Time. LC Subjects: English, Maths, Irish, French, Biology, Art, Business and History. JC Subjects: English, Maths, Art, CSPE, History. Vocational Skills Full Time Woodwork, Upholstery, Painting, Painting& Decorating, Wood Carving, Photography, Interior Design, Photography and Pottery with Personal Effectiveness and Computer Applications. Post Leaving Certificate Full Time: Art, Craft, Design/Portfolio Preparation, Fashion Design, Business Admin. With Marketing, Business Studies Secretarial and Nursing Studies.
Please contact the Centre on (057) 8731127. Enrolment will remain open until mid-October.

LITTLE OAKS PARENT BABY AND TODDLER GROUP: This group meets on Tuesday mornings from 10am to 12pm in the Presentation Centre, Durrow. Cost per family €3. Come and enjoy a morning with other parents and children. Contact: Delphine (086) 3655178, Laura (086) 8829296 or Ann (087) 2207327.

ST VINCENT DePAUL: The president of the Regional Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Mr Myles Macken, presented Mr. George O’Brien, Cork Road with a life long membership award for over 37 years dedicated membership and 25 years area President of the Society at a function recently.

DURROW PARISH LOTTO: Monday September 17th 2007: There was no jackpot winner of €1,000. Numbers: 11, 14, 20 and 26. The small draw winners were: €30: John Woods, Carrigan St, Durrow, Co. Laois; €25: Pat Barnaville, Cullohill, County Laois; €20: Rebecca Walsh, Cullohill, County Laois.
Monday September 24th 2007: There was no jackpot winner of €1,150. Numbers: 09, 11, 16 and 17. The small draw winners were: €30: Che Walsh, Derrywod, Durrow, Co. Laois; €25: Maria O Connor Bates, Cullohill, Co. Laois; €20: Evan Deegan, County Laois.

CONGRATULATIONS: to Julie Ryan, Cork Road and Larry Fitzpatrick, Tubberboe who were married in Rome recently.

DURROW TIDY TOWNS: At an award night in the Heritage Hotel, on October 3rd, Durrow Tidy Towns received an award for being runner up in the Town Section of the Inter Litter Community Challenge. Derrywood Estate received an award for best kept private housing estate. Congratulations to everyone for their effort.

THE AM PLAYGROUP: This is a new playschool just off the Swan Road in Durrow. Opened Monday-Friday 9.30am to 1.00pm for children 2¾ to 5 years. A safe and secure place for your child’s early development with an out door play arfea on ½ acre, and an 800 sq. ft playroom. Full week available for your child. Andrea and Mary look forward to welcoming your children. Tel: 087-2127063.

HEYWOOD COMMUNITY SCHOOL SILVER CIRCLE RESULTS:
Week 1: Draw 1: 1st.Alan Hosey, Castlecomer; 2nd. Michael/Kathleen Hargrove, Ballydavis; 3rd. Jacqueline Tynan, Dunmore; 4th Mathew & Clare Carroll, Stradbally. Week 1: Draw 2: 1st. Mark Walsh, The Cross of Newtown; 2nd. Thomas Phelan, Mountrath; 3rd. Claire Phelan, Mountrath; 4th. Eoin Farrell, Ballylinan.

BROADBAND: Digiweb Homewave Broadband available across Durrow. Phone (1800) 285828.

Sympathy is extended to Gerry Dempsey, Boithrin Nua, Cork Road, on his recent bereavement.
Sympathy is extended to the Delehunty families, Rahinleigh and Aughmacart, on the death of Fr. Tom Delahunty recently.

LIONS SOCCER: South East Draw: Tickets are now available for this year’s Super South East Draw. Four monthly draws and two free draws for all tickets fully paid up before first draw. Tickets are €40 each or €10 each month for 4 months. Tickets available from any Lions Club member and can also be purchased from the Stores. First draw Friday 9th November. Club members please note that all tickets must be returned by October 20th.

DURROW CHURCH CLEANING ROTA: Many thanks to the ladies who have been cleaning the Church for the month of September. The rota for October is: Julie Lalor, Teresa Dunphy, Mary Lawlor and Bridie Dunne.

PARENTING ALONE IN DURROW AND ABBEYLEIX PARISHES: If you are parenting alone, due to being a single mother or father, divorced, separated, widowed or in any other circumstances, we are inviting you to a meeting in The FAS Office (beside the church) Kilkenny Road, Durrow on Monday 15th October at 8.00pm. The aim is to set up a local group based in Durrow under the umbrella of Laois Parenting Alone Network and the National Organisation OPEN (One Parent Exchange Network.) The Group will provide relevant information on parenting alone issues, allow a forum for discussion, organise events for those parenting alone and their families, and allow your concerns and your voice to be heard at local and national levels. For any more information please contact Heather on (086) 3562274, or Dolores on (085) 1010016. All are most welcome.