17th/18th December, 1994                                                                                                                                               Price 30p

DURROW PARISH NEWSLETTER

COMPILED BY THE DURROW SCOUTS

Christmas

Thou wouldst not come in any shape or capacity or office
which was above the course of ordinary human life, but in
the fullness and exactness of that human nature
which so much thou lovest.

Thou camest not only a perfect man but as a proper man.
Thou art my elder brother.
How can I fear, how should I not repose my whole heart
on one so gentle, so tender, so familiar, so unpretending,
so modest, so natural, so humble?

Thou art now tho’ in heaven just the same
as thou wast on earth the mighty God
Yet the little child – the all holy,
Yet the all sensitive, all human.

LET US PRAY May every home in this parish be peaceful over Christmas. May we all learn to live like Jesus who grew in grace and favour with God and men. May we all learn to live like Jesus who grew in grace and favour with God and men. May we be open to receive the peace of Christ, a peace this world cannot give.

DURROW COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Durrow Community Council wish to thank all the people who subscribed to their recent Church Gate Collection for the Christmas tree expenses, and also all the business people who donated so generously. Thanks also to Sean Brophy and the local FAS team who helped erect the Christmas tree on the Square.

Bus Eireann have stated in a letter to the Community Council that their request for a bus shelter has been noted and included in a list of locations to be considered in the future. Arrangements are being made at present to erect bus stops in the town.

POKER NITE RESULTS

Tuesday 6th December; 1st Noel Meade. Kieran Soames, Elsie Stewart, Richard Dempsey, Tony Rowe, Sean Delahunty,

Tuesday 13th December; 1st Thomas Gilligan. Finian Dempsey, Patrick Dempsey, Sean Delahunty, Kieran Soames, Conor Murphy.

 DURROW PARISH LOTTO

Results for Monday 5th December; No Jackpot winner. £50 to Ned Whelan c/o Camera Club.

Monday 12th December; No Jackpot winner. £50 to Bridget Conroy, Patrick Street.

Next draw on Monday 19th December in The Durrow Inn. Jackpot £850. There will be a SPECIAL CHRISTMAS RAFFLE for lots of prizes including Bottles of Whiskey, Hams, Turkeys etc. on your lotto ticket.

The first Lotto draw in the new year will be on Monday 9th January in O’Connells.

PAGE 2

LIONS SOCCER CLUB

The Lions Soccer Club hosted the 2nd draw in the South East Draw in Irwin’s Bar on Friday last. The club had two winners in this draw. They were Ml. Bohan, Dublin, sold by Pat brennan – Hamper worth £200, and Tony McGree, Jenkinstown – £100. Martin O’Leary was presented with a 25″ Mitsubishi Colour T.V. won in the last draw.

The 22nd Annual Monster Christmas Hamper worth £300 will be raffled on Christmas Eve along with 16 other prizes. Tickets are on sale now and will be available from the tent in the Square, all day on Christmas Eve.

The Lions Junior Soccer team play Evergreen in Durrow on Sunday at 11.00 a.m. in the semi-final of F.A.I. Cup (Kilkenny Area). The club appeals for a big support as it will take a big effort by the team to overcome the Kilkenny side. Don’t forget this Sunday 18th at 11.00 a.m. at the Lions Soccer Grounds, Cork Road.

DURROW FIRE BRIGADE

Durrow Fire Brigade has had a very busy two weeks, with two chimney fires, a car fire and a sitting room fire to deal with. The Brigade wishes everyone a safe Christmas, reminding householders to be alert for fire hazards over the festive season, to check that their chimney is clean, and to never leave fairy lights on unattended. Happy Christmas to everyone.

HARPS G.A.A. CLUB

A Presentation Night and an American Tea Party were held in the Castle Arms Hotel, on Friday 9th. The highlight of the night was the presentation of medals to the players on the Intermediate Football Team – Laois County Champions 1994. The presentation was made by Fr. O’Connor, O.C. Cullohill, and the chairman, Seamus Kenna, complimented the players, trainers and selectors on their commitment and self belief during the year.
A special presentation was made by the players to Sean Conroy, the very successful trainer of the team, and also to the selectors, Tommy Walsh and Donal Deegan.

The committee wish to thank the very large crowd which supported the event, and also the hostesses who worked so hard to prepare the food etc. and the Hotel and its staff for it’s helpfulness.

A.G.M.: The adjourned meeting resumes in the Old Boys School at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday 17th.

U-16 Hurling: The boys on the victorious Harps team will be presented with their medals on Friday 30th December.

FOR SALE NINTENDO with 14 games, including Tiny Toons, Mega Man 3 and Duck Hunt with gun. In perfect condition. Call 0502-31643 after 6.00 p.m.

MAYNOOTH CHOIR On Christmas Eve the Maynoothy Choir which includes Niamh Lalor, Derry Road, will be on R.T.E. television. Look out for her.

NEWSLETTER SELLERS

For this Sunday morning; Mary Lawlor, Pat Walsh, Kevin Donohue and Jason Walsh.

Weekend 7th/8th January – Saturday evening; Bridie Dunne, Andrew Walsh, Natasha kenna and Niall Donohue.

Sunday morning; Martin Walsh, Seamus Clancy, Lorraine Lawlor and mark Donohue.

The next edition of the Newsletter will be on Saturday 7th / Sunday 8th January ’95.

We thank all Newsletter Sellers for their help and co-operation throughout 1994.

Best wishes to everyone for a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

CONGRATULATIONS to Paul and Mary Cashin on the birth of a son.

PAGE 3

DURROW & DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB

The Junior and Senior Branch had their major end of year competitions judged by Alf Harvey recently. The competitions were the “Photographer of The Year” and the “Print of The Year.” Alf praised the high standard of prints submitted, and welcomed the formation of a junior branch, one of the few in the country.
Winners were as follows;

Photographer of The Year 1994 – Martin Walsh.
Runner-up – Eugene Meegan.
Highly commended – Joe Donohue, Joan Ryan and Frank Campion.

Martin received the Joe Brophy Perpetual Cup and Trophy sponsored by Mrs Mary Brophy. All others received trophies.

Print of the Year 1994 – Joan Ryan
Runner-up – Frank Campion.

Junior Photographer of the Year – Claire Donohue.
Runner-up – Jason Walsh.

Junior Print of the Year – Erin Kelly
Runner-up – Natasha Kenna.

The Junior Branch trophies were sponsored by John Freeman.

SCOUT NEWS

In the New Year the Troop will take the radical step of splitting it’s members for the Friday night Troop meetings. This is a result of having too mant Scouts, which means the quality of the programme is suffering.

It is recognized nationally that 20 – 24 Scouts is the ideal Troop size and at the moment we have over 40. If we continue running as we are, members will leave, which would solve the problem, but be unfair to young people who have never experienced the joys of being in a well run Troop. We recognize that the Troop has not being going well for the last year or so. Hopefully parents will bear with us as we try to solve this problem. A letter explaining the position will go out to all parents after Christmas.

 OUR LADY’S MEADOW GIRLS P.S.

The children of 3rd – 6th class will take a trip to Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on Wednesday next, 21st December. They are looking forward very much to the show “Annie” starring Twink and many other famous artists. The day will commence with a shopping spree in The Square, Tallagh.

£63 was raised by the school children for the Laois Hospice after an enjoyable hour’s carol singing in The Square last Friday. Many thanks to Dan Haverty for his musical accompaniment.

The finals of the Tennis Tournament will take place on Monday 19yh December. Good luck to all the participants.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody a Happy Christmas and New Year. Nollaig Shona dhaoibh go leir.

HEYWOOD COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Silver Circle results for 10th and final draw as follows;

£150 – M. Stapleton, Ballyragget, £75 – C. Butler, Grove Terrace, ballyragget, £25 – M. McDonald, Portlaoise, £25 – M. Egan, Kilcronan, Ballinakill, £25 – Maura O’Gorman, Ballyouskill.

Paid up members prize of £100 to Mrs P. Phelan, Ballymullen, Abbeyleix.
Promoters prize of £100 to Sean Whelan, Chapel Street, Ballinakill.

Our thanks to everyone who supported the Silver Circle.

PAGE 4

HOLY FAMILY BOYS NATIONAL SCHOOL

Durrow Boys School recently staged a concert containing two plays. The first play was called 25 Past Christmas, and was performed by 2nd and 3rd classes.
The following are the list of characters;

Narrator – Neil Kenna. Santa Claus – Ger Alley. The Marrog – Kevin Scott.
The Elves – Niall Brophy, Bernard Dunphy, Brendan Murphy. Ugly Duckling – Ken Creegan. The Swan – Leo Dunne. Two Little Boys – Thomas Mooney, Michael Gaughan.
Ballerina – Padraig Dunphy. Cowboys – Paul Kenna, James Holland. Indians – John Lawless, Simon Dwyer. Singer of Nellie The Elephant – John Lawless. Daisy – Shane Walsh. Andy – Paul Kenna. Dolls – Shane Walsh, Lee Donohue. Batmen – Leo Dunne, Ken Creegan.
Songs – Daisy Give Me An Answer Do, Nellie The Elephant, Two Little Boys, Ugly Duckling, Lovely Christmas Day.
Poem – The Marrog.

The second play was called The Rose Of Tralee and was performed by 4th, 5th and 6th classes.

Rose of Boston and Tralee – Tony Woods (Marie Murphy) Sings Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.
Arthur Guinness – David Walsh. Gay Byrne – Ciaran Walsh.
The Murphy Family: Father – Kevin Shortall (Paddy), Mother – John Phelan (Dorcas), Son – Stephen Kearney (Clint).
M.C. – John Brophy. Narrator – Donal Bowe.
Finalists of Boston Rose Competition – Patrick O’Regan, Shane Phelan, Patrick Bowe, Tony Woods.
Banjo Player – Robert Campion.
Finalists of Rose Of Tralee – Miss Moscow – Stephen Kenna, When Irish Eyes Are Smiling. Miss Macra – Aidan Keenan, dance. Miss Manchester – Danny Donohue, Kilarney.
Drunken Singer – David Phelan, Wild Colonial Boy.
Jimmy Murphy (Irish relation) – Keith Parkinson. Peggy Murphy (Irish relation) – P.J. Phelan.
Arthur Guinness’ Girlfriend – Alan Donohue. Guinness Ad Dancer – Enda Carroll.
Barmen – Brian Kelly, Darren Kearney.
Disco Dancers, Audience for Rose Of Tralee and Rose of Boston – James Campion, Brian Brennan, Martin Clancy, James Freeman, Brian Purcell, J.J. Delahunty, Marc Aylward, Mark Kelly, Jason O’Regan, Gearoid Campion, Liam Lawlor, Mark Flynn, Jonathan Stapleton, Paul Aylward.

Songs – How Can You Buy Killarney. We’re all going on an Irish Holiday, Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, The Kerry Dances, When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, The Wild Colonial Boy, The Rose Of Tralee.

Music played by Danny Haverty and Ted Young. Art Work by Mrs Gannon.
Costume Providers – Mai Bowe, Rose Woods, Marian Aylward, Benny Dunne.
Make-up supplied by John Freeman.
Fireplace supplied by Christy Sheppard.
Other props – Donal Bowe.
Video – John Flynn
Lighting – Nicholas Mooney, Tom Kenna.

Many thanks to the Parents Council for their help and support: Tom Kenna, Michael Kenna, Donal Bowe, Bobby Campion, John Flynn, Rose Woods, Mai Bowe, Helen Holland, Marian Aylward, Benny Dunne.

Barrels for stage – Michael Carroll.
Stage erection – Sean Brophy and FAS workers. Many thanks to them also for the moving of furniture, cleaning etc.

The following are some of the Raffle Prize providers – Avonmore, J. Ryan, J. Murphy, Ormond Oil, Carroll’s Pub, Dunnes Nurseries, M & B Walsh, Parents Council, H. Mooney.

DURROW BADMINTON CLUB

The Badminton Club would like to thank everyone who helped to make their Annual Bazaar such a success.

The raffle was won by: 1st – £100 to Henry Joyce, The Square, Durrow. 2nd – Turkey to Patricia Hayes (Campion). 3rd – Bottle of Whiskey to Una Devan, Kilkenny.

We would like to thank the FAS Scheme for all the work they have done on the hall. We wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

CONGRATULATIONS to Daniel Fitzpatrick, Derry Road, who celebrates his 21st Birthday this weekend.