14th/15th December, 1996                                                                                                                                Price 30p

DURROW PARISH NEWSLETTER

COMPILED BY THE DURROW SCOUTS

CHRISTMAS

Christmas is a good time to deepen our awareness of Christ’s presence with us, especially if we have not felt it for some time. We believe that on the first Christmas night, “The world was made flesh and dwelt amongst us”.  The crib tells the story. God came to us in the form of a child. So the crib and the child at the centre of it, is the way God chose to come to us.

This is the heart of the mystery of Christmas, we cannot understand it. But, like the shepherds, we have been told about this child. He is Emmanuel – God with us. God is at home with us now, “Make your home in me as I make mine in you”.

We need to ponder the message of Christmas and try to grasp it’s meaning to us now. The first thing is to realise that Christmas has to do with the present, as well as being an event in the past. We need to sense and see Christ’s presence at the heart of today’s world, troubled and confused as it is.

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DURROW COMMUNITY COUNCIL

At the December meeting of Durrow Community Council, Secretary, Anne Vaugh made a presentation of an inscribed watch to local lady Lulu Carroll, in recognition of her outstanding work with the Laois Ladies Football team. Chairman Oliver Clooney said we are all very proud of Lulu’s performances during the year and look forward to the coming year when hopefully the All Ireland Cup will come to Co. Laois.

Durrow Community Council members are at present calling around to all householders in the area looking for signatures for a petition which will be sent to An Bord Pleanala opposing the erection of a proposed Telecom Eireann Mast at the Ballagh, Durrow. The height of this mast will be approximately 100 ft. high with a 30 ft. base. We on the Community Council are totally opposed to the erection of this mast on the grounds that it will be a serious health hazard, and it will not be of benefit to the town in the promotion of tourism.

We hope that you will support us in this venture.

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The Blood Transfusion Board Mobile Unit is visiting Durrow on Tuesday 17th December, from 3.00 p.m. to 4.45 p.m and from 7.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. at the C.Y.M.S. Hall. You are asked to make a special effort to attend.

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DURROW PARISH LOTTO RESULTS

Monday 2nd December: Two winners of £1,650 Jackpot. They each received £825. They were Ellen Walsh, Lisbigney, Ballinakill, and Eddie Dunne, Cullohill.

Monday 9th December: No Jackpot winner. £50 won by P.J. Bowden, Cullohill.

Next draw on Monday 16th December in Cashin’s Bar. Jackpot £450. Also Christmas Raffle for up to 30 prizes including Turkeys, Hams, Hampers, Bottles of Whiskey, Biscuits, Sweets etc.

There will be a 2 week break in the Lotto draw. The first draw after Christmas will be on Monday 6th January ’97 in the Castle Arms Hotel.

A Happy Christmas & Happy New Year to everyone.

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The next issue of the Newsletter will be on 4th/5th January ’97. We wish all our readers and sellers a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

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DURROW & DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB

The Photographer of the Year & Print of the Year competitions in both Senior and Junior were judged on Monday 9th December by Hadrain Boyle Fawcett.

Results were as follows: Senior Branch – The Joe Brophy Memorial Cup for Photographer of the Year – 1st Pat Farrell, Runner-Up Martin Walsh. Mrs. Mary Brophy presented the Cup and Trophies to the winners.

The Civil Defense Print of the Year Shield – 1st Eugene Meegan, Runner-Up Martin Walsh. Seamus Clancy presented the prizes in this section.

Junior Branch – The Junior Photographer of the Year and Print of the Year competitions are sponsored by John Freeman. John unfortunately wasn’t able to be present on the night, so prizes were presented by martin Walsh who co-ordinates the Junior Branch.

Photographer of the Year: Jason Walsh, Runner-Up: Jonathan Walsh

Print of the Year: Jason Walsh. Runner-Up: Claire Doyle.

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DURROW MACRA NA FEIRME

Two teams from Durrow Macra took part in the Kerry Quiz, which took place on O’Malley’s Pub, Rathdowney. On the teams were: Team One – Liam Bergin, Martina Phelan, Noelle Phelan and John Kennedy. Team Two – John Lalor, Michael Phelan, Kieran campion and Eddie Lalor.

Two teams also took part in a table quiz in O’Connell’s Cullohill, which was organised by Cullohill Macra.

Four members of the club recently attended  the Macra Rally which was held i the Fitzpatrick Hotel, Cork. They were David Holland, Peter Phelan, John Kennedy and Eddie Lalor. All enjoyed the weekend

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SCOUT NEWS

Meetings for Scouts will resume on Friday 10th January ’97, (for the Younger Group). Scouts who are to attend this meeting will be notified.

There is still a need for more Leaders in the senior section of Scouts, so if anyone feels they can give an hour of their time every two weeks to work with our young teenagers do let us know. You can contact Martin Walsh (36456), Angela Drennan (36419) or Mary walsh (36327), for more information.

Cub News

The Cubs attended an Arts & Crafts Day in Kilkenny on Saturday 30th November. We started the day with tracking trail games in the Castle Park grounds. After lunch we had Arts & Crafts in the Cub Den. We arrived home at 4 o clock. A great day was had by all.

We held an Arts & Crafts competition for our cubs. Winner of Group A was Nadine Dempsey and winner of Group B was Darren Lynch. We would like to thank Helen Kelly for judging the competition for us.

The Cubs are very busy at the moment practicing their Carol Singing. we will be singing outside the Church on Saturday 21st December to raise funds for the laois Hospice.

We had our Christmas Party on Friday 13th December. It was an enjoyable night for all. There will be no Cub meeting on Friday 20th due to the Boys School Play. Cubs will resume on the 10th January ’97 for both groups (A & B). We would like to wish all a very happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

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Durrow Tidy Towns Committee meeting on Thursday 19th December in the Castle Arms Hotel at 8.00 p.m. All committee members are asked to make a special effort to attend this meeting.

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Sympathy is extended to the Young family, Erkindale Drive, Durrow, on their recent bereavement.

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ST. FERGAL’S COLLEGE SPORTS

Senior Football – St. Fergal’s won their first ever Phelan Cup title in a very close game at O’Moore Park on Tuesday last. Two late points secured the victory over Clonaslee V.S. The final score was 2-9 to 2-7.

Senior Camoige – St. Fergal’s senior camoige team have qualified to the next round of the Leinster Competition after beating Blakestown C.S. from Blanchardstown on Tuesday last. The final score was 3-5 to 1-2. Members of the panel include: Imelda Galvin, Laura Mahony, Marie Lalor and Sinead Mahony.

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DURROW BADMINTON CLUB

Durrow Badminton Club wish to thank Durrow and surrounding towns for their much appreciated support for their Annual Christmas Bazaar. The results of the prize draw is as follows:

1st prize £100 – Bridget Donohue, Cork Road, Durrow. 2nd prize Turkey/Ham – Maurice McHugh, Rathdowney. 3rd Prize Bottle of Whiskey – Paddy Geoghan, Erkindale Drive, Durrow.

Our thanks is especially extended to all local businesses who gave so generously to us yet again this year.

A Happy Christmas and A Peaceful New Year to all.

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HOLY FAMILY BOYS’ SCHOOL NEWS

“Tommy the Theatrical Cat” purrs again. After seven weeks of practice the boys are prepared for next Thursday (19th) and Friday (20th) nights performances with Danny Haverty and Ted Young musical accompaniment.

Admission: Adults and Students £2, Children £1. All are welcome to attend.

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FOR SALE : Jubilee Cooker – Perfect working condition. Tel. 36358

FOR SALE: Yamaha PSR 180 Keyboard – in very good condition (two years old) complete with power pack. Apply to: 6 Erkindale Drive, Durrow.

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WALSH’S NEWSAGENTS

Selected Children’s Videos with Christmas Specials. You can book any video by ringing 36411.

In Stock: Sense and Sensibility, Sargent Bilko, Down Periscope, Primal Fear, Get Shorty, The Birdcage, The Juror, White Squall. From 31st December – The Rock.

Large Selection Of Christmas Presents: Biscuits, Chocolates, Selection Boxes, Christmas decorations etc.

Relax over the Christmas, read all your Daily, Sunday, Local Papers and Magazines, all available at Walsh’s Newsagents, Durrow.

We would like to wish all our customers a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

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DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES (FAS)

The Annual General Meeting of Durrow Community Services (FAS) will be held on Tuesday 14th January in the Castle Arms Hotel at 8.30 p.m. Each club are asked to ensure that two representatives attend this meeting.

Durrow Community Services (FAS 6) Fund Raising PARISH DANCE will be held in the Castle Arms Hotel, on Friday 31st January. Music by: Largo. Subscription £6. Hot Supper will be served. Bar Extension. Spot Prizes Galore. Dancing 10 – 2. A great night assured.

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Sympathy is extended to the Lalor family, Cullohill, on their recent bereavement.

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OUR LADY’S MEADOW GIRLS’ P.S.

 Our Lady’s Meadow had a very successful Coffee Afternoon on Friday 13th December. All proceeds to Abbeyleix Hospital.

The pupils of Our Lady’s Meadow will be Carol Singing in front of the Stores on Wednesday 18th December from 11.30 to 12.30. All proceeds will go to Portlaoise Hospital. We hope to see you all there.

Ballet: 5th and 6th class will be going to the Nutcracker Suite in the Point Depot on 20th December. They will be shopping in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre beforehand. We hope to have a good day.

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CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE

Cullohill Community Centre Presents ‘CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY@ with Magician, Disco, and a Visit from Santa, on Sunday 15th December, 3.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.. Admission £1.50. Sweets and pops galore for the children.

Progressive 25 winners: December 4th – Patrick and Danny Delaney, Cullohill. December 11th – Joint first – Fr. Dunphy & Pierce Kavanagh and J. Mooney & Ned Duggan. 2nd – Walter Delahunty & Jim Duggan.

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HARPS G.A.A. NEWS

The Annual General Meeting of Harps G.A.A. Club was held in the Castle Arms Hotel on Sunday 8th December. The following Officers were elected:

President: Sean Cashin, Vice Presidents: Fr. O’Doherty P.P.. Fr. Tobin C.C.
Chairman: Martin Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chairman: Noel Delaney
Secretary: Donal Deegan, Ass. Secretary: Padraic Henderson.
Treasurer: Declan Phelan, Ass. Treasyrer: Dan Deegan.
P.R.O.: Marie Phelan.

Committee: John Burke, Walter Foyle, Seamus Campion, Billy McEvoy, James Fogarty, Sean Conroy, Tom Flynn, Tomas Kenna, Billy Kirby, John Dollard, Eamon Rafter, Sean Duggan, Seosamh Murphy, Peter Phelan and Pat Dunne.

Senior Hurling Trainer: John Burke. Senior Football Trainer: Sean Conroy.

Laois Masters

Laois over 40’s team won out the Laois B Hurling All Ireland Championship. Four members of this team were members of the Harps Club. They were: John Burke, Martin Brophy, Pat Bolger and Larry Phelan. They received All-Ireland Medals at a function in the Leix County Hotel, Borris in Ossary recently.

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LIONS SOCCER CLUB

The Lions B team had a great 2-1 victory over promotion rivals Inistioge, in Durrow on Sunday last.

On Saturday 7th December, Kilkenny & District League Youth Team had a great victory over Kildare League. Starring on the team was Paul Shortall, Lions Soccer Club. Well done Paul.

The 24th Annual Christmas Hamper Draw for the Lions Club will take place on Christmas Eve, in Carrolls, Nore Nets. Tickets are on sale from all club members.

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HEYWOOD COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Heywood Community School held an open evening on Thursday 12th December. A large number of parents and parents of incoming pupils had a tour of the school and enjoyed a Show put on by the pupils, which included: recitation, set dancing, Irish dancing, Line dancing, music and song, gymnastics and choir. A very enjoyable evening was had by all.

FOR SALE at Heywood C.S. Horticultural Gardens: Potatoes and Carrots available through the school. Potatoes 4 stone bag £4. Carrots £1 per stone.

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NEWSLETTER SELLERS

This Sunday morning – Mary Lawlor, Jason Walsh, Sharon Lynch and David Dunne.

Weekend 4th/5th January: Saturday evening – Angela Drennan, Pat Walsh, Natasha Kenna and Debbie Stapleton. Sunday morning – Martin Walsh, Lorainne Lawlor, Eoin Lalor and Jason Walsh.

Cullohill Sellers: Saturday 4th January – Mairead White, Mellissa Cahill, Patricia Dunphy. Sunday 5th January – Lisa Muldowney, Imelda Galvin, Louise Mahony.

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Congratulations to Brian Aylward, Rath, Durrow, who celebrates his 21st birthday this weekend.

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