September 2009

DURROW TIDY TOWNS: The Committee would like to thank everyone who took part in the Hour and A Half Gang every Tuesday night for the last three months. This joint initiative with Durrow Development Forum and Durrow Tidy Towns Committee was very successful. Great work was carried out in many areas throughout the town. The draw for all participants will be held after the Arts Festival in a venue to be announced. With the success of this “Gang” we would hope to do this again starting in early 2010. To all who participated this Summer be proud that you made our town a nicer place to live in. To all householders and business people we ask you to please keep your area clean and litter free over the Arts Week.

THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUT GROUP: On August 10th this year a group of twenty Scouts and five Leaders went to Achill OEC for four days of outdoor activities. We departed Durrow on Monday 10th at 8.30am all set for the long journey ahead and we arrived at our destination at about 1.00pm where lunch was waiting for us. After lunch it was straight into activities, with surfing, kayaking and canoeing. The weather was very rough but it therefore made for great surfing conditions. Every day we had three activities which included, surfing, kayaking, canoeing, climbing, archery, team building exercises and mountain boarding. Our Scouts excelled in all these activities and the instructors were very impressed with our troops talents. We returned to Durrow on Friday 14th at around 7.00pm all tired, but really impressed with this year’s Summer Camp.
Next year’s Summer Camp 2010 is planned for Sealyham OEC in Haverfordshire West in Wales for July 25th. This will be a week long camp and a deposit of €60 must be paid to the centre by the end of September to secure our place. Our group stayed at this Centre in 2004 and had an unforgettable time. We hope we get enough interest to return there.
On Tuesday 8th September we are holding our Registration Night in the Computer Centre (FAS Office) from 7.30pm to 8.30pm where Scout Insurance of €50 must be paid and also the €60 deposit for Wales. If your Beaver/Cub/Scout does not register on the night then they will be crossed off the role. New Beavers will be notified at a later date.

CONGRATULATIONS to Eamon & Margarete Duggan, Tubberboe, Durrow on the birth of a son Jeffery.
Congratulations to Marie Duggan, Dereen, Durrow and Eugene O’Connell, Kerry, on their recent marriage.

COMPUTER COURSES: The Computer Course for Beginners will now commence on Friday 18th September and will be held in the FAS Office (beside the Church) from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. Full details will be issued to all participants. Applications are still being taken for the Advanced Computer Course which will be held early in 2010. Forms are available from the FAS Office or from Mary Walsh on (086) 3055157.

ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF LAOIS: The Alzheimer Society of Laois offer a day care service in Portlaoise on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm. For further details contact Liz at (086) 3688678.

AISLING WALSH DANCE ACADEMY: Classes will resume on Tuesday 8th September in Durrow Community Centre. Three to Six year olds from 6pm to 7pm. Seven years plus from 7pm to 8pm. Contact (085) 7780763 for more information.

DURROW PARISH LOTTO RESULTS: Monday August 24th 2009: There was no jackpot winner of €4,750. Numbers: 08, 19, 22 and 27. The small draw winners were: €30: Mick O’Rourke, c/o Durrow Fishing Club; €25: Margaret Prior, Gurteen, Cullohill, Laois; €20: Mary Brophy, Carrigan St, Durrow, Co. Laois.

Monday August 31st 2009: There was no jackpot winner of €4,900. Numbers: 02, 04, 06 and 18. The small draw winners were: €30: John Bourke, Cullohill, County Laois; €25: Grogan Family, Derry Road, Durrow, Laois; €20: Alan Newman, Patrick St, Durrow, Co. Laois.

Monday 7th September 2009: There was no jackpot winner of €5,050. Numbers: 04, 12, 17 and 26. The small draw winners were: €30: Mick Purcell; €25: Seamus Stapleton, Erkindale Dr, Durrow; €20: Billy McEvoy, Cullohill, County Laois.

Monday 14th September 2009: There was no jackpot winner of €5,200. Numbers: 09, 11, 13 and 23. The small draw winners were: €30: Barbara Dowling; €25: Carmel Murphy, Cork Road, Durrow, Laois; €20: Mary Dwyer, Cork Road, Durrow, Co. Laois.

DURROW CHURCH NOTICES: Church Cleaners for the month of September as follows: Rosezeta Murphy, Kate Lappin, Kay Sheppard, Ann Kealy and Mary Kennedy. Special Ministers of the Eucharist for September: Saturday Evening – Willie Dunne & Kay Mahony. Sunday Morning -John Kelly & Maura Fitzpatrick.

BROADBAND IN DURROW: Eircom are offering broadband speeds of up to 7.6mb in the Durrow Area. Telephone numbers beginning with (057) 8736xxx or 8740xxx should qualify for this service which depends upon line condition and distance from the exchange on Mill Road.

WOODEN BRIDGE PADDLERS CANOE CLUB: The Wooden Bridge Paddlers will hold a Canoe Race on the last weekend in September on the River Nore. Prizes in the following categories: ladies and gents, senior and junior, general purpose and Canadian class. Entry fee €10. The Club will hold their Annual Sponsored Raft Race on Sunday October 25th. Proceeds in aid of the Harps Camogie Club.

SOCCER NEWS: Congratulations to the squad from Ballyragget on winning the Summer Soccer Tournament which was held throughout the Summer on the Lions astra turf pitch.
Congratulations to the Cullohill soccer team who won the Lions Shield Final in Durrow on the 21th August. Cullohill had a great win against Mountrath. Key players on the night were: Aaron Delaney, Tommy Moore, Paddy Holland, Shane Phelan, David Lawlor and Damien Holohan.

THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB: U14 SHEILD FINAL V ST. BRIGIDS - On Friday the 28th August, The Harps U14 girls played St. Brigids in defence of their 2008 victory for the County Sheild. Edel Costigan opened the scoring with a point for the Harps. From then on The Harps Captain Shauna Monaghan scored 3 goals and 2 points to send her side to an impressive victory. All of The Harps girls played brilliantly in their final game of the 2009 season under their coach Ross Young. Final score: The Harps 3-03 v 2-00 St.Brigids. Well done to all.

U16 HARPS V PORTLAOISE - On Thursday August 27th, The Harps U16 girls played Portlaoise in the County Championship. They were impressive winners even though much of the team were still eligible to play as under 14’s. Maria Dunne captained the team and led her young team from midfield along side Bronagh Dunne. Orlaith Delaney was excellent in goals, pulling off some great saves. The backs stood solid and were like a brick wall against their opposition with Shannon Saunders and Niamh Delaney playing out of their skin. The forwards all played well, especially Niamh Dunne, Shauna Monaghan, Lorna Campion and Edel Costigan. Lorna Campion got the first goal of the match from one of her trademark solos and striking to the net. Next to score was Edel Costigan with a goal of her own. Then the scoring machine Shauna Monaghan got her first point of the game. She went on to score a total of 3-03 before the final whistle. Naimh Dunne also got 2-00 and was very impressive at full forward. The Final score was Harps 7-03 v 2-00 Portlaoise.

U12 COUNTY FINAL - The Harps U12 girls played Camross in the County Final on Saturday 29th August in Raheen. Even tough the Harps girls put up a hard fight Camross came out the winners. The only team to beat the Harps team this year was Camross, which shows the talent coming through in the club for the future.

JUNIOR SEMI FINAL - The Harps Junior Camogie Team played O’Moores in the County Semi Final on 29th August in Raheen. They had a very impressive win over their opponents. Áine Mahoney at corner forward scored 0-07. Elaine Mahoney at wing forward scored 2-02. Louise Mahoney scored 0-04, Laura Mahoney scored 1-01. Angela Hanlon and Joanne Prior got 0-01 each. The Harps scored 0-02 more to bring the Final score to the Harps 3-16 v 0-03 O’Moores. Their win was a great team effort which showed great skill from all players from 1 to 15 and the 5 subs which were brought in. Helen Keane kept a clean sheet with some good saves. Joan Dollard, Trish Dunphy and Denise Quigley were rock solid at the back, while captain Catriona Phelan, Michelle Fitzpatrick and Claire Walsh swept up every loose ball at half back. Lousie Mahoney and Joanne Prior were excellent in mid field. Laurna and Elaine Mahoney along with Angela O’Hanlon all played well and not only did they all score excellent scores but showed O’Moore’s how to pass the ball around to get the scores. Maria Fitzpatrick and Emma Saunders showed great strength in holding up the ball in position and passing it on unselfishly to make some great scoring opportunities, while top scorer Áine Mahoney was simply on fire on the day. The Harps will now go on to play St. Brigids in the County Final in defence of their Three-in-a-row County Titles which is on the 12th or 13th of September – to be announced…

DURROW DEVELOPMENT FORUM: Durrow Arts Festival 2009 Review… It is with great pleasure that we report on a very successful Second Annual Arts Festival. With an outstanding variety of events and workshops, this festival offered great entertainment to all sections of our community and visitor alike. Despite difficult economic times, attendances at all events were up on last year. The committee is especially pleased with the experiment of the tented village on the square and anyone who experienced the painting exhibition, craft stands, seated area, cheese and wine and café music were loud in their praise of the presentation of this area. Indeed it caught the imagination of members of the Kilkenny Arts Committee who were present at the weekend and indeed complimented Durrow Development Forum on an outstanding programme of events during the festival. This festival continues to raise the profile of Durrow and attract visitors to our town for the greater good of all. It is hoped that one day it will rival even the more established Arts Festivals in the country. We take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped in any way to make Durrow Arts Festival such a resounding success.

Youth Involvement – A Big Thank You: We in Durrow Development Forum are especially proud of the large number of young people who volunteered their services to our Arts Festival, Howya Festival and St. Patrick’s Festival this year and indeed in association with Durrow Tidy Towns committee we compliment all of the young people who came out in large numbers to participate in our “Hour and a Half Gang” during the summer. These young people are very proud of where they live and are a credit to their families and to Durrow. It is hoped that in 2010 we can build on the successes of this year and work together as a community to make Durrow a better place for its people to live and tourist to visit. So, if you are young or unemployed or just a person interested in the enhancement of Durrow – just contact any member of DDF – we would be delighted to have you on board for the coming year.

STARS IN YOUR EYES: Rehearsal nights for Stars in Your Eyes will commence in the Courthouse on Wednesday next 23rd September. We invite anyone who would like to take part to contact Evelyn on (087) 9194428 or just come along to the rehearsal. This show will take place in the Castle Arms Hotel on the 7th November 2009.

LAOIS SCHOOL OF MUSIC, DURROW: Classes will resume as follows: Monday 21st September for Guitar, Tuesday 22nd September for Piano, and Wednesday 23rd September for Kindermusic, Keyboard and Flute. Other tuition available: Group Recorder, Group Singing, and Choir. Anyone wishing to join the School of Music should contact Vicky Murphy on (086) 1000230.

THE MAKE BELIEVERS: “€ Round the Green” will take place in Durrow on Sunday 27th September from noon until 6.00pm. It will be the first fundraiser for The Make Believers. This is a newly formed Laois based charity. For the past four years the same committee has organized Laois Winter Wonderland in Durrow in association with The Bubble Gum Club. This year, due to financial constraints The Bubble Gum Club has postponed several events. Hence the committee has formed The Make Believers to preserve Laois Winter Wonderland. They work with staff on the pediatrics wards of hospitals all over the country as well as the Central Remedial Clinic to identify children who are coping with terminal and long term illness, disability, social disadvantage and emotional trauma. € Round the Green will be a cheap family day out. The aim is to make a chain of euros around the green. If you donate €5, you will get €20 to build the chain. Free balloons for the first 20 children and one child will win the bonanza prize as well as getting to finish the chain at 5.30pm. Plenty of free entertainment and €1/€2 stalls and games. Make it down for the free puppet show at 12 and kiddies disco.

DENTAL SURGERY: A new Dental Surgery has opened on the Mountrath Road, Abbeyleix. Open Tuesdays to Fridays from 9.30am to 5pm and Saturday by appointment only. Contact Dr. Marcella Burns by Phone on (057) 8730848. Private/PRSI/Medical Card.

PILATE CLASSES: Classes will resume on Friday 25th for six weeks. Enrolling from 7.15pm on the 25th September & classes are from 7.30pm to 8.30pm each Friday in Cullohill Community Centre. All are welcome.

LIVE WEATHER DATA: Visit www.laoisweather.com for live data from Durrow updated every minute including temperature, wind, air pressure, lightning detection and webcam.

CULLOHILL ICA GUILD: The guild met at the Community Centre on Tuesday last and a vote of sympathy was passed with Lily Sheeran and family, Borris-in-Ossory on the death of her husband Paddy. Lily has visited out Guild on many occasions in her different roles in the Federation. The President congratulated all the local students on their success in the state examinations and wished them best of luck in their future choices. Kathleen Gorman of Laois Federation was a guest at the meeting and spoke on ICA affairs at National level. Cullohill Community Hall is the venue for a Table Quiz for the Federation funds o n Tuesday 27th October. Tables of three €30 and tea will be served afterwards. The Craft Day at Castletown is fully booked. Sheila Delaney won the raffle and the next meeting will be on 6th October. The Guild celebrated their 40th Anniversary with dinner and cabaret at Bru Boru Cultural Centre, Cashel. Twenty ladies had a very enjoyable evening. The winners of the Cards on 12th September as follows: First: Willie Ryan and Larry Dunne; Joint Second: James & Veronica Muldowney, Noel Hayes & Paddy Sheeran and The Daltons.

DURROW TIDY TOWNS: The National Tidy Town’s results received by Durrow were encouraging. We received 278 points out of a possible 400. This was an increase of 13 points on last year’s results. They were made up as follows: Overall Development Approach – 45 out of 50 points; The Built Environment – 37 out of 50 points; Landscaping – 40 out of 50 points; Wildlife & Natural Amenities – 26 out of 50 points; Litter Control – 32 out of 50 points; Waste Minimization – 12 out of 20 points; Tidiness – 15 out of 30 points; Residential Areas – 28 out of 40 points; Roads, Streets & Back Areas – 35 out of 50 points; General Impression – 8 out of 10 points.
Overall Development Approach: Durrow improves year by year and manages to keep up with the upper grade in the competition. Standards are rising everywhere, introducing new initiatives.
The Built Environment: The Red Lion Inn restored, makes an enormous difference, in a negative way by not having a large derelict building in a prime position and in a positive way by having a fine period restoration. The redevelopment of the Court House as a Library and Museum is a most dignified undertaking – the cleaning of the cut-stone exterior, painting of railings and woodwork, the provision of cobbles and gravel. The Church of Ireland tower is an important landmark feature. The Health Centre will need a coat of paint before next year. The neo-Celtic building in use as an infant school is another unique building worthy of its preservation, the community centre next door with its notable mural was admired. The Roman Catholic Church was looking very well in its well kept grounds. The shops and business premises were mainly very well presented.
Landscaping: The Tae Lane emigration sculptural memorial wall and garden is a beautifully crafted and maintained precinct with a wonderfully spiritual dimension. It was good to see the equipment at the Playground was in wood. Arriving in Durrow from the Abbeyleix side one is always impressed by the trim verges and boundaries going so far out into the country, by the stone plaques, picnic tables and seating nearer in, and by the wonderful expanse of trim lawns as one reaches the centre. The approach from the Cullohill side is less impressive. The Canon Carrigan memorial is very charmingly presented. The waterside by Bob’s Bar is another pleasing area of planting and there is fine planting in some of the housing estates, especially at Derrywood.
Wildlife and Natural Amenities: Swans and ducks were seen enjoying the river. The banks appeared to be well maintained. The abundance of nature walks in the neighbourhood is evidence of a real interest in wild life and a desire to share the riches with visiting walkers. The Leafy Loop is a first rate amenity.
Litter Control: The town was virtually litter free at the time of judging.
Waste Minimization: Highlighting the best practice to business people is a valuable activity. Starting young, it is interesting to read that children are introduced to making use of the correct bins in their playground. The Recycling Unit at the Texaco filling station was seen to be well kept and was certainly in demand.
Tidiness: It was good to see a prominent warehouse, the Topline, so well presented. Unfortunately numerous placards and advertisements on roads give a scruffy effect & visually damage the fine approach to the town.
Residential Areas: In the Seandoire Estate the houses are well kept and the use of strong colours is attractive. St. Fintan’s has well kept houses and gardens and a splendid open area. Homes on the lane beyond Lawlor’s delightful garden centre also pleased, due to their individuality and the use of a variety of fine stone, wooden and hedge boundaries. It was very good to see that many of the handsome old town houses which give Durrow its particular character retain their original timber window frames, fanlights and doors.
Roads, Streets & Back Areas: Surfaces are mainly well kept and there is much good paving, such as on the ancient bridge. Elegant lamps and street furniture are to be seen in most streets. Parking bays are well maintained and marked. The traffic is appalling but at least there is a controlled crossing on the Dublin-Cork road. We will be interested to hear what effect the opening of the motorway will have on the life of the town.
General Impression: Durrow impresses both by its traditional appearance and by the huge amount of work that goes into the upkeep of its appearance. All categories in the competition are seriously addressed, some slightly better than others but not one is the slightest bit neglected. Every good wish for your future enterprises. The Tidy Towns Committee extends their thanks to everyone who helped throughout the year. A special word of thanks to Paddy Quinn and the Fas Team and the Hour’n a Half Gang for their great work in the town during the year.

WOODEN BRIDGE PADDLERS CANOE CLUB: The Wooden Bridge Paddlers will hold Their first ever competitive Canoe Race on Saturday 26th September. This seven mile race will take place on the River Nore beginning at Watercastle Bridge and concluding at Ballyragget. All outside canoe clubs and individuals are invited to take part with prizes on offer for the following categories: First, Lady and Gent Senior and Junior, General Purpose, Siton Kyak and Canadian Class. Start time 1.00pm. Refreshments and prize giving afterwards in Bob’s Bar, Durrow. Entry €10. For more information telephone (087) 2395357. On Sunday 25th October the club will hold their annual raft race for the Con Redmond Cup.