13th/14th February 1999, Price:30p

Durrow Parish Newsletter

Compiled by The Durrow Scouts

Thoughts for the Day

According to ancient tradition St. Valentine’s is the wedding day of the birds, the day on which they choose their mates for the year. Chaucer refers to it in “The Parliament of Foules” and in ~”A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Shakesphere says, “Good morrow, friends! St. Valentine is past; Begin these wood-birds but to couple now?

Whether accurate or not it is certainly true that with the ending of February’s second week we become aware of a new song in the air, new yet sweetly familiar. Up to now the morning wind has been full of the confused sounds of chirrupings and twitterings, but today the confusion has resolved itself into measured phrases. Deliberate and distinct the song of a blackbird rises from the thicket, and from somewhere down in the flooded shaw there comes the unmistakable throbbing of a thrush’s note.

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“St. Valentine. A priest of Rome who was imprisoned for succouring persecuted Christians. He became a convert himself, and although he restored the sight of his gaoler’s blind daughter he was martyred by being clubbed to death (February 14th, 269)”.

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Durrow Community Service – FÁS 

Durrow Community Services – FÁs will hold the Annual Parish Dance in the Castle Arms Hotel, on Friday 26th February. Music by Largo & Disco ’till late. Admission £6.50. Dancing 10 – 2. Club Personality of the year awards will be presented on the night. Tickets on sale now. Someone will be calling to your door with them and we ask everyone to help meet the running expenses of the Local FÁS Scheme. Come along and show your appreciation of the great work carried out in the Parish by the FÁS workers.

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Durrow Community Council

Durrow Community Council will host the Senior Citizens Party on Sunday 21st February in the Castle Arms Hotel. Invitations are being handed out at the moment. Anyone who is eligible and has not received an invitation are more than welcome to come along on the day.

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Heywood Community School

Parent’s Association wish to remind parents that a committee member will be calling early in the coming week to collect tickets for the draw. It is hoped that everyone will make a special effort to have their tickets sold, the full support of parents is needed to make this fundraising effort a success. Proceeds of the draw are in aid of: the provision of modern facilities for extra curricular activities – Musicals, Drama, Dancing, Games and PE and provision of Modern Canteen Facilities.

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Durrow & District Angling Club

The Annual General meeting of the Angling Club was held in the Durrow Inn on 29th January. Elected to the committee for 1999 season are:

  • Chairman – Mick O’Rourke
  • Vice-Chairman – Seamus Stapleton
  • Secretary – Mick Walsh
  • Ass-Secretary – David Dunne
  • Treasurer – Jim Delahunty
  • Ass-Treasurer – Jason Walsh

Committee members: Jim Coffey, Jim Dwyer, Emmett Dunne, Pauric Phelan, Michael Monahan, Simon Dwyer, Pat Bowden, Richard Dunne, Aiden Keenan, Tom Gilligan, David Walsh, Denis Lynch.

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 Cullohill ICA 

Cullohill ICA met at the Community Centre on Tuesday last. Sympathy votes were passed with the families of mick Dunphy, Ned Brennan, dan Daly and Kathleen Scott. Ar deis go raidh siad go leir.

Four members will attend Federation meeting in Abbeyleix and some members will go to jersey with the Laois Group.

The parish Vigil at Peace-in-Christ is on Monday 8th March. The Guild thanks all those who attended the Euro film and talk given by Bank of Ireland Staff at the Community Centre on Monday night last. We all learned a lot.

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Harps Camogie Club

The AGM of the Harps Camogie Club will be held in the Castle Arms Hotel on Tuesday, February 16th, at 8 pm. All Camogie players, supporters and parents are asked to attend this important meeting. The meeting will be followed by a presentation of medals to the U/14 and U/16 teams.

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Sympathy

Sympathy is extended to the family of Ned Brennan, Cullohill on his death.

Sympathy is extended to the Delahunty family, Raheenleigh, on the death of Sr. Athanasius, St John of God Convent, Thomastown.

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For Sale

Double glazed bronze alluminium window, 8ft 6″ X 4ft 6″.

DK’S Lamps: bottle lamps available. These unique bottle lamps can be made to your specification. A wide range of shades available. To create an atmosphere in your room for just £12 order a Bottle lamp now from Deirdre Kilbride, phone 0502 37208.

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Durrow Parish Lotto 

Results Monday 1st February: No Jackpot winner. No’s 4-10-30.

£20 won by lar Dunphy Rath, Durrow and Gabby Irwin, Mary St, Durrow.
£10 won by Jack Fitzgerald, Cullohill.

Monday 8th February: No Jackpot winner. No’s 14-15-29

£20 won by John Freeman, Mary St, Durrow and Tom Mills, Abbeyleix.
£10 won by Mick Kenna, Erkindale Dr, Durrow.

Next Draw on Monday 15th February in Phelans Bar. Jackpot £700.

Lotto AGM: The Lotto AGM was arranged for Tuesday 9th February but due to the lack of attendance of some participating clubs/organisationsthe AGM had to be postponed until Thursday next, 18th February. All 8 clubs involved in Lotto are asked to have 2 representatives at this next meeting, as the Lotto cannot continue without the input from all clubs.

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Many Thanks 

to Cullohill FÁS team for the very essential work done on the rain water drainage at the Church. Well done lads.

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Durrow Development Forum

In the near future a copy of the BRADS (Ballinakill, Raheens, Abbeyleixs, Durrow, Shanahoe) area development plan will be available for viewing to the public in The Post Office, Credit Union, and Bank of Ireland. A box will be left in each premises for anyone wishing to give their comments.

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Lyrics Board Competition

The 6th round of the Lyrics board competition will be held in Lennon’s Bar on friday 19th February. Teams taking part: Lennons Bar, Harps GAA Club &Tidy Towns.
On Friday 5th March the 7th round will be held in cashin’s Bar. Teams taking Partthere: Cashin Bar, Community Council & Pipe Band.
Winning Team to date are: Gerri’s Bar, The Nore Nets, Fire Brigade, Community Alert and The Durrow Inn.
The Competition is being enjoyed by all who attend and take part.
Your support is very much appreciated.
All proceeds are going to Durrow Development Forum.

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Harps GAA Club

Congratulations to all the under 21 players who were presented with their medals at a presentation in the Nore Nets on Friday 5th February. An enjoyable night was had by all. Many thanks to Bobby Campion and family who provided the music. The following players received medels:

  • Captain: Peter Phelan
  • Bernard Ryan
  • Mark Donohue
  • Pat Dunne
  • Tommy White
  • Colin Lawlor
  • Aidan Kavanagh
  • Ray Campion
  • Lawrance Mahony
  • Kevin galvin
  • Derek Phelan
  • Shane Brophy
  • Niall Donohue
  • Tom Bowe
  • Sean Woods
  • Aongus Campion
  • Graham Kells
  • Johnny Holland
  • Don O’Connell

The selectors for the team were Seamus Campion and Jim Kells, who will also be selectors for 1999. The committee wish to sincerely thank michael and Angela Carroll for the very generous donation they made to the club. The next committee meeting will be held on Thursday 18th Feb, at 8.30 pm. A full attendance is requested. Training commences on Friday 19th Feb next at Cullohill Community Centre for all players at 8 pm sharp. Hope to see everybody there.

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Durrow & District Camera Club

Durrow & District Camera Club personality of the year nominee for 1998 has been totally involved with the running of the club, since it’s foundation 12 years ago. He has held the post of treasurer for many years and takes great pride in his work. His book keeping and monetary skills are much admired and deeply appreciated by all the members. He has served on almost every committee to date and always has a positive contribution to make, putting forward fresh ideas that helped to make the club the success that it is today. He is also very committed to the parish lotto, selling tickets and helping out at every opportunity. As a photographer, his creativity has won him many “Prints of the year” awards and has enabled him to donate the “Grand Prix” competition for many years. As a person, he is always enthusiastic, good humored and is a very popular member of the Club.

This describes to a “T”, Paul Cashin, Our Personality Of The Year.  

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Harps GAA Club

The Club is delighted to announce John Bourke as a very popular winner this year for club person of the year. John brought us to two county finals, (as well as to Chester and Killarney for memorable weekends away!!). The club is indebted to John for the hard work he put in during his time as trainer, as well as his marathon work on the social side, organising cabarets, draws, and the huge effort he put into selling tickets and getting sponsorship will be difficult to beat. He also was involved in the training of some of our camogie teams, as well as being a selector with Laois Minors. However, Kilkenny’s gain is our loss, as John is moving over to the Marble County to St Martins to give them a taste of what real gruelling training is! Not bad for a Tipperary man! – but he does have a wife from Laois, and thanks also to Breda for her support during the year. So, Congratulations to John and Thanks very much.

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Congratulations

Congratulations to Angie Carroll, Chapel Street, Durrow, who celebrated her 21st birthday recently.

Congratulations to Conor Doyle, The Swan, Durrow, who celebrated his 21st Birthday recently.

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Cullohill Youth Club

Committee members:
Chairman – David Kells
Secretary – Orla Phelan
PRO – Deirdre Kilbride
PRO – Lorraine Holland

Members – Lynsy Brennan, Alan Brennan, Gavin Brennan, Teresa Dollard, Liam Delaney, Michael Delaney, Gregory Delahunty, Ainsley Dunne, Aaron Delaney, Patricia Dunphy, Aidan Galvin, Tommy Moore, Noeleen Saunders, Niamh Kilbride, Brendan Madden, Adrian Madden, Padraig Phelan, Shane Phelan, Damien Phelan, Edmond Kenny, Blathnaid Kenny, Denis Kells, Kieran Fitzpatrick, Billy Holland, Teddy Holland and Peter Duggan.

Leaders: Margaret Phelan, Barbara Walsh, John Bourke, Eamon Fitzpatrick, Tony Dunne, Marion Holland.

Ossory Youth Taize 1999 will be from July 25th – August 4th. This trip is open to young people over 16/17, youth leaders and young adults from clubs and parishes. If interested contact: Martin @ 056-61200.

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