15th/16th April, 1989.  Price 20p

Durrow Parish Newsletter
Compiled by the Durrow Scouts

Fr. Jackie Robinson’s OUTLOOK

The Letter

Some years back while on retreat we were given a talk on Forgiveness. The talk was progressing nicely and we were sitting back listening attentively when suddenly the speaker stopped short – looked us calmly in the eye and said “Now I want you all to write a letter.”

A strange request to receive at any time but especially on a retreat.

The letter we were told, could be to anyone. It didn’t really matter to whom – but it had to be to someone we had fallen out with or had some difference with – either recently or in the past.

Now possibly because I was younger and more stubborn than I am now – or because letter writing was never my forte – I over reacted to the request.

NO – I would not write a letter. If I was to apologise to someone I would do it in my own time and in my own way. I quietly excused myself and went for a walk.

Well maybe it was the fresh air outside, I don’t really know, but it didn’t take me long to recognise the rather pompous and proud stance I was taking. Swallowing my pride I went back in an wrote that letter.

I wrote – and I did not find it easy – to a fellow priest with whom I had had some differences with a few months previously, and our friendship had been that bit strained since.

Now there’s no fairy-tale ending to this story. The particular priest in question did not come running to my door with tears of remorse in his eyes, saying “Jackie – all is forgiven.” He did however write back to me, thanked me for my letter, and our friendship has been pretty good since.

Now I am not advocating that any of you should write a similar letter to someone you have fallen out with, although I certainly recommend it. All I will say is that I was glad I wrote the letter, it made me feel good, it cleared the air between us and it gave a boost to our friendship.

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Scout News

Thanks to  everyone who contributed to the recent Job Week Campaign, the overall tally is not yet finished but it looks as if this year’s effort will equal if not actually beat lat year’s total take. These much needed funds will go towards making Summer Camp ’89 a resounding success as transport and activities prices are astronomical. Again thank you.

The Scout Troop visited Kilkenny Log Cabin from 31st March/2nd April. Activities included an assault course, orienteering course, wide games, campfire and what was for the Scouts (but not the parents) the highlight of the event was voted a major success by the majority of people involved.

Details for the Summer Camp which is being held in Kerry this year are now being finalised and within the next two weeks a circular will be sent to all parents. With the intention of saving towards this camp, a camp bank is in operation, any contribution big or small will be taken at our weekly troop meeting.

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Cub Scouts

The 3rd Laoise (Durrow) Cub Scout Troop would like to thank all those who sponsored them in their recent cycle in aid of Crumlin Children’s Hospital. The event was a major success and all the money collected will be put to good use. the total amount raised was £224.60. We would also like to thank the parents who helped on the day.

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Fashion Show and Cabaret

A Fashion show and Cabaret will be held in The Castle Arms  Durrow on Wednesday 3rd May. Fashions by Alley’s, Durrow. Tickets £5.

Proceedsfrom this show will go towards spending a group of eight dancers from Durrow/Cullohill Lynam School of Dancing to France in July to take part in Folk Festivals. These dancers recently took part in Scot na nOg representing the Harps and qualilified to represent Laois in Carlow oh April 8th, where they came second overall. We hope you will  support this event and we assure you of a great evenings entertainment.

Tickets now availabe from :

Mr. Ger Alley, Mrs Maureen Kenny, Mrs Marie Phelan, Margret Tobin, Mrs A Mahoney,Mrs Clancy, Mrs Gillligan, Mrs Cahill, Mrs shiels.

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Our Lady’s Meadow N.S. 

Monday night next as you are in no doubt aware will be very special night for us here in Durrow. The boys and girls of 5th and 6th classes will join with over 200 boys and girls from Portlaoise and 74 children from Thurles to present a recital of twenty six songs. This is the result of a year’s hard work and we feel that they can be justifiably proud of this achievement.

It will be announced at mass on Saturday and Sunday if any tickets are still available. Those who have tickets are reminded that neither tickets nor seats will be numbered. Ticket holders are however guaranteed a place in the Church but coming in time and securing you seat is entirely up to you.

We are most grateful to Canon Marnell for allowing us to uses our parish Church for this very special occasion.

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Durrow Community Council

At the monthly meeting of Durrow Community Council a vote of sympathy was passed for the ryan and Dunphy families, Cullohill on their recent bereavements.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks ti everyone who supported our Church Gate collection last Sunday.

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Durrow Fishing Club

There was a good attendence oand a very good catch for the RichardO’Rourke Trophy which was fisshed for on Sunday last April 9th.

The winners were:

1st John Gallagher
2nd J. Kavannagh
3rd Gerry Davin

Under 12
1st John Paul Buckley
2nd B. Hennessy

Under 16
1st Michael Monaghan
2nd D. Hennessy
3rd R. Fogarty

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Our Lady’s Meadow P.S

The winners of the April draw for Our Lady’s Meadow P.S. were:

1st – £100 – Mary Townsand, Durrow
2nd – £50 – Maura Rafferty, Cullohill
3rd – £10 – K. Fitzpatrick, Upper Tubberboe
4th – £10 – G. Alley(Jnr), Durrow
5th – £10 – C, Mooney, Grennan, Attanagh
6th – £10 – A. Keenan, Knockmay Road, Portlaoise
7th – £10 – T, Kelly, Derry Road, Durrow

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Historical Snippet By J.J. Conroy 

History once more repeats itself, last week in Durrow with the employment of the Fas workers. In around 1938 times were hard with very little employment, so a scheme was started to give a couple of days work to men concreting paths. My late Father worked on that Scheme and even though times were hard there was a funny side too, some unknown composer put his pen to paper and wrote a song about the workers and each person was mentioned. The man in charge of the gang didn’t take it so well and offered £10 to anyone who could name the songwriter but alas it was never known.

Still no sign of the money stone. My thanks to Margaret Cooney and Sheila Clarke for trying to find it with me, so if anyone has any idea where the money hole stone is, everyone would be very happy.

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Spink Community Alert

Spink Community Alert will host a Cabaret/Dance in the Salesian College, Ballinakill, on Friday April 21st. Featuring international singing star Susan McCann and her band. Also the ever popular Regency Trio. Doors open 8.00pm. Admission:£5. Bar extension.

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Brophy’s 

Precast Concrete Products:

Sills, Lintals, Flue retainers, Fire Lintels, Single & Double Chimney Caps, Wall Cappings, Pier Caps, Bishop Caps, Paving Slabs, Kerbstones, Garden Edging, Fencing Posts, Strained Post, Strut Post, Gate Post.

Contact: Brophy’s, Carrigan Street, Durrow.

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Durrow Bridge Club

The president’s prize of Waterford Glass played for by the Durrow Bridge Club over Two weeks was won by Sean Bolger and A. Hyland. 2nd: A.McTintyne, A.O’Doherty.

Best Gross:

1st – P. Fitzpatrick and V. Lalor
2nd – P. Delaney and N. Mahoney
3rd – M. Cole and M. Woods
4th – A. Rafter and C. Bergin
5th – M. Hovenden and M. Loughman

Session:
1st – A. Fitzpatrick and M. Purcell
2nd – S. Walsh and B. Cashin

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Durrow Tidy Towns

A committee meeting was held in the Castle Arms Hotel on Wednesday night last to launch the campaign for’89. The chairman, Fr. Robinson outlined to the meeting a detailed account of the work intended to be carried oout this year, he also had the pleasent duty to inform the meeting that the Fas Scheme is underway in Durrow. We now have 14 men plus a supervisor working ( 7 men each week ), this will be a tremendous help to the Tidy Tows . However, we need all the voluntary help as well. The chairman appealed to all residents and business people to please start immediately to clean up, weed around their own residents and to come out each week if only for an hour to help clean up the village and surrounding areas. A special plea to all especially the children to keep Durrow free of litter and to the Secondary school leaders to see that their team joins up with the Adult team in their area so that both teams can work together so that our efforts will ensure that judges will deem us worthy of a 2nd judging after their first visit to Durrow in early June.

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For Sale 

Single Wardrobe and Dressing Table. Contact: 14 Erkindale Drive.

Have your child’s name and date of 1st Communion personally hand printed in Gold ink on 1st Communion Prayer Books etc.

Contact: Bridie Dunne, 27, Erkindale Drive, Durrow.

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St. Fintan’s College

The Senior Soccer team of St. Fintan’s College would like to congratulate Abbyleix Technical School for their 2 – 1 victory over them before Easter. The match was played on the Lions pitch, and was hard fought, and enjoyed throughout by both teams.

Goalscorers :

Abbeyleix – Dennis Feehan and Kevin Barry

Durrow – John McEvoy

Half of the art class of Senior 1 visited Dublin recently on an educational tour of the city. They followed in the tracks of the Leaving Cert Students who ventured there on the 21st January last.

On both occasions the outing was very enjoyable. The National and Municipal Art Gallery’s, National Museum and Garden of Remembrance were among the places of interest for the classes, as well as O’Connell St. and it’s numerous statues and monuments. The trip was most appropriate, as all the items viewed are studied for the Leaving Cert. Art History Syllabus, and the second half of the class will make the same journey within the coming weeks.

Since the school reopened after the Easter holidays we have had a number of visits from American tourists. The last group, which arrived on Tuesday last, were Irish History Students. They came to view Csatle Durrow, because of its fine Georgian style.

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Poker Night 

Winners for 4th April:

J. Murphy, J. Ryan, N. Meade, M. Meade, A. Bergin, M. McKenzie.

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Durrow & District Camera Club

Presents a

Film Show

Featuring First Communions, Confirmations and carnivals in the 1970’s

from Fr. Moran’s

collection of films

In the Convent Hall, on 1st May, at 8.30pm

Admission: Adults – £1 Children – 50p