FAMILY CARERS: Unfortunately Family Carers Ireland have had to once again close our doors to the public due to level 5 restrictions which means that we will no longer be able to meet Carers one to one. We will, as always, be available to offer support & advice over the phone on (056) 7721424 or on our 24 hour care line 1800 24 07 24. Please do not hesitate to contact us and we will assist you as much as possible.

NDLS NOTICE: Final reminder for residents in Ireland to exchange their UK / NI driving licence for an Irish driving licence. The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS)* is issuing a final reminder to anyone resident in Ireland with a UK / NI driving licence that they need to exchange it now, as their UK/NI licence will not be valid to drive here after 31 December 2020. While the UK has left the EU, a transition period was agreed that allowed for the exchange of driving licences to continue. That transition period ends on the 31 December 2020. If you are resident in Ireland and using a UK licence to drive it will no longer be valid to drive in Ireland after this date. It is vital that you have a valid driving licence and that you are legally allowed to drive in Ireland by exchanging a UK licence for an Irish driving licence. As it can take longer to process a UK / NI licence exchange, and there may be further delays caused by a last-minute increase in applications, plus extra demand on the service caused by Covid19, you should make an application as soon as possible. To exchange your licence, you must complete a licence application form and present this, the correct fee and your UK licence at any NDLS centre. You must make an appointment online at www.ndls.ie to attend any of the 36 NDLS centres (https://www.ndls.ie/where-to-apply.html). More information including frequently asked questions on how to exchange your UK licence can be found at www.ndls.ie and on gov.ie/brexit, the Irish Government’s website to help businesses and citizens around the country to prepare for Brexit. Almost 50,000 people heeded this message in 2019 and exchanged their UK/NI driving licence for an Irish driving licence. Visitors to Ireland holding a UK/NI licence, will continue to be entitled to drive in Ireland as a visitor with their existing driving licence. Visitors won’t be required to carry an International Driving Permit in order to drive here so long as they carry their UK/NI driving licence with them. Notes: •Licence exchange applications that include the original copy of the UK/ Northern Ireland licence can be exchanged more speedily. Where an applicant cannot submit an original licence and instead includes a ‘letter of entitlement’ from the DVLA in the UK this will take longer to process. •There are some limited exceptions where what are known as national licences categories cannot be transferred to the Irish licence. You may need to speak to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the UK to find out if you have any national categories on your UK/NI licence. *The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) is managed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL – REPAIR AND RE-USE INITIATIVE: Businesses can get listed by registering for free at repairmystuff.ie/register – For many, purchasing a new pc or new washing machine when an old one breaks is the norm. However, repair and reuse is often a cheaper and most certainly a more environmentally sustainable option.

DURROW SCARECROW FESTIVAL APPEAL: We are continuing to fundraise to match fund a grant received for stage two of our community hall! Our Festival as most of you will know is a huge fundraiser for projects within our community including the maintenance of our much loved amenity areas. If you can assist, please do, any amount would be so much appreciated. We are in this together and will look forward to working with and seeing you all in 2021! Visit www.gofundme.com/f/scarecrow-festival-community-hub online to donate if you can.

ODIN KETTLEBELLS: We at Odin Kettlebell Club have now got an opening for new members. Classes are currently outdoors at the old boys school and over in the CYMS hall Durrow on the not so nice days! Classes are small, social distance adhered to. All equipment provided is sanitised before and after use, no swapping of equipment. Class times are 6pm for kids and 7pm for adults. Kettlebells is a great way to tone up, get fit, develop confidence, meet new people and have fun. We are affiliated to The Association of Kettlebell Sport Ireland and those who wish to compete can do so once they reach a competent level of lifting. All ages and all fitness levels are welcome. Get in touch by DM or phone 0894400758 or at dunnetherapy@gmail.com via email.

LIVE LOCAL WEATHER: Visit www.laoisweather.com for live local weather data from Durrow.

WOODENBRIDGE COMMUNITY ALERT: The committee of the Woodenbridge Community Alert group would like to alert local residents that during this period of the Coronavirus outbreak (Covid 19) if anyone in the area is in need of assistance of any kind Day or Night please do not hesitate to contact any of the following: Chair – Michael G Phelan (087) 2395357; Vice Chair – Kevin Galvin (086) 2452337; Secretary – Liam Geoghegan (087) 2587084; Assistant Secretary – Pat Dollard (087) 8460657; Joint Treasurer – Michael Broderick (087) 2254099 ; Ann Marie Begadon-Browne (087) 1262102.

COVID-19: Support Line for Older People – ALONE has launched a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week, 8am – 8pm, by calling 0818 222 024.

NEW NUMBER FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Please note our new phone number (087) 6072617.

SENIOR ALERT SCHEME: The Woodenbridge Community Alert are the local authorised Personal Alarm (Senior Alert Scheme) suppliers for the Durrow, Cullohill, Ballacolla and Rathdowney areas. The new programme states that (1) eligible persons (65 years and over) no longer have to be living alone; and (2) there will be free monitoring of alarm service for one year for all new participants since November 1st 2017. For more information contact Michael G Phelan (087) 2395357.

HELPLINES: Everyone goes through a tough time at some point in their lives, it’s important to know who you can talk to and where you can get the help you may need.
If you’re going through a tough time please take that first step and talk to someone, or contact some of the help lines;
– Teac Tom Kilkenny: 056-7796592
– Pieta house 24/7: 1800 247 247
– Pieta house South East: 051 858510
– Laochas The Warrior Soul Project: 086 220 4441
– Childline: 1800 66 66 66
– Teen-Line Ireland: 1800 833 634
– Samaritans: 116 123
– SpunOut.ie: 01 675 3554
– Aware.ie: 1800 80 48 48
– Talk to Tom.ie: (0818) 30 30 61
The Pieta House 24/7 Suicide Helpline is a confidential and professional service providing telephone/SMS counselling, support, advice and referral for people who may be feeling suicidal, engaging in self-harm, bereaved through suicide and for concerned friends or family members.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will hopefully resume on sale in the new year. All adverts must be booked with Angela Drennan (087) 1928522 or (057) 8736419. Advertisements cost €2 per issue of Durrow Parish Newsletter and must be paid for in advance. Clubs and Organisations are encouraged to email info@durrow.ie with their ongoing news and notices which will be posted on the Durrow.ie website in the absence of the printed version of the bi-weekly local Parish Newsletter.