21st / 22nd January 1995.          Price 30p

 

DURROW PARISH NEWSLETTER

COMPILED BY THE DURROW SCOUTS

THE CELEBRATIONS ARE OVER

Epiphany is gone. The celebrations are over and our lives become routine again. Last time we spoke of encountering God. If you have a real encounter nothing is the same as before. We are different. Each encounter makes us whole people, open to the infinite, leaving behind our limitations just as a work of art emerges from the painters brush or the sculptor’s shaping strokes. Then isn’t God like a wonderful painter, isn’t he like a patient sculptor? Yes indeed and how well we know it ever since God came to be among us on that first Christmas. He came, we encounter Him, who is God and God meets us.

What luck we have had. But what responsibility we have received. Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, God and humanity have met and together we are moving towards eternity.

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LAOIS COMMUNITY NETWORK

At a recent meeting of Laois Community Network held in Presentation Centre it was decided to organise a Public Meeting on Tuesday 24th January at 8.00 p.m. Staff of the Network will be present to outline the work of the Network and deal with any queries.

It is planned to set up a temporary office in Durrow, this will be discussed on the night.

Examples of Work to Date

Enterprise Support – We help groups and individuals who have business ideas and wish to apply for funding to develop business plans.

School Enterprise Programmes – A School Enterprise Programme was run from September 1994 to January 1995.

Childcare Course – City and Guilds Childcare Course will be run by Laois Community Network who will contact Barnados National Children’s Centre to provide tutoring.

Community Development Course – It is proposed to run this course in 5 areas within the County. Participants will already be involved in locally based groups or be interested in forming new groups in their local areas.

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ALTERNATIVE ENTERPRISE SEMINARS

Tuesday 31st January: Operational Programme For Rural Development. Grant aid for agri-tourism, Organic Farming and Alternative Enterprises (Horses, Deer, Rabbits, Greyhounds etc.)

Wednesday 1st February: Horse Production in the 1990’s.

Tuesday 7th February: Ostriches.

Wednesday 8th February: Mushroom Production.

Wednesday 15th February: Strawberry  Production for Processing.

The venue for the above Seminars is Teagas Office, 1 Park Villas, Portlaoise. Time is 8.00 p.m. sharp. Free admission. All are welcome.

For further information ring Aileen Gilchrist at 0502 – 21721 (Office Hours).

N.B. Do come along to the Public Meeting in the Presentation Centre on Tuesday 24th January at 8.00 p.m. sharp. It is hoped that a large number of people from all the Associations and Clubs in the area will attend this meeting along with the general public.

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CONGRATULATIONS to Brendan Casey, Derry Road, who celebrated his 21st birthday recently

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DURROW & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB

The Annual General Meeting of the Durrow & District Angling Club will be held in The Durrow Inn on Thursday 26th January, at 9.00 p.m. sharp.

All Senior and Junior members and anyone interested in joining the club are welcome to attend.

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FOR SALE

2 size 30″ beaver Jumpers.
1 size 34″ Cub or Scout Jumper.
Scout Shirt to suit young Scout.
Contact Angela Drennan, Erkindale Drive.

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HARPS G.A.A. CLUB

The club was shocked and saddened by the sudden death of John Shortall on New Year’s Eve. He did tremendous work for the club in his role as treasurer and the running of the club, and his death will leave a void in the club. Our sincerest sympathy to his wife Mary and family.

Congratulations to our U/12 hurling team who were presented with their medals by Offaly All-Star Kevin Keenehan recently. An enjoyable night was had by all.

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HOLY FAMILY BOYS’ N.S.

The tennis coach, Brian Doyle, organised a tennis tournament before Christmas following a series of 10 lessons. The following were the winners in each group;

2nd & 3rd Class
1st- Bernard Dunphy, 2nd – Neil Kenna
3rd – Niall Brophy, 4th – Shane Walsh

4th Class
1st – Jonathan Stapleton, 2nd – John Brophy
3rd – Gearoid Campion, 4th Alan Donohue

5th Class
1st – Patrick Bowe, 2nd – Brian Purcell
3rd – Martin Clancy, 4th – James Freeman

6th Class
1st – Kevin Shortall, 2nd – Aidan Keenan
3rd – Enda Carroll, 4th – Tony Woods

Swimming lessons in Kilkenny Pool have started in the Boys School. Over one third of the boys are now swimming confidently in the deep end. There will be 13 sessions.

5th and 6th class boys are going on a day retreat next week to Peace In Christ in Kilkenny, in preparation for their Confirmation (February 19th).

The Cumann na mBunscoil hurling league will start in March.

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HEYWOOD COMMUNITY SCHOOL

On Wednesday 25th January parents of  Transition Year Students are invited to a Display of Work by the 1994/’95 Transition Year Students.

On Wednesday 8th February – Talk to Parents of Third Years on Senior Cycle Options.

Friday 24th February to Tuesday 28th inclusive is Mid-term break.

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DURROW BADMINTON CLUB

Two Juvenile U/14 teams are taking part in the Laois Badminton League. Both teams have played two games. Both have won one and lost one.

Team A: Debbie Stapleton, Nicola Brophy, Erin Kelly, Tomas Woods, Niall Donohue and Jonathan Walsh.

Team B: Maeve Brophy, Joyce Donohue, Sharon Lynch, Shane Brophy, David Dunne and Ricky Tobin.

League games are played during the weekend and coaching is every Tuesday and Friday night.

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DURROW PARISH LOTTO

Lotto draw results for Monday 9th January; No Jackpot winner. £50 to Mary Byrne, Attanagh.

Monday 16th January; No Jackpot winner. £50 to Tom O’Sullivan, Ballykealy.

Next draw on Monday 23rd January. Jackpot £1,450. In The Castle Arms Hotel.

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VACANCIES

In Service for Persons with Mental Handicap, Community Employment Development Programme

Vacancies exist in these services in Co. Laois for
1. Applicants over 21 and in receipt of unemployment assistance.
2. Of an age and in receipt of unemployment benefit for one year.
3. Of an age and in receipt of lone parent allowance for one year.

Contact Sisters of Charity, Personnel Dept. Moore Abbey, Monasterevan. Phone 045-25327.

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DURROW & DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB

Junior and Senior members please take note of the following club meetings and competitions.

Junior

The Junior Branch resumes it’s meetings for ’95 on Thursday 26th January at 8.00 p.m. sharp. This meeting incorporates the next stage of the Junior Grand Prix, the theme being   “Portrait”, 3 entries per member. This competition is being headed by Kevin Donohue on 10 points.

Seniors

The next club meeting will be held on 30th January and judging will take place on the second round of  the Eddie Moore Memorial Shield. The theme for this competition is “Still Life”. Liam Donohue leads this competition with 13 points. meeting starts at 8.00 p.m. sharp.

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SCOUT NEWS

Letters have been sent to Parents outlining the proposed division of the Troop owing to the large number of Scouts involved. Hopefully the quality of the programme will now improve. As always, there is a need for Leaders in all sections, so if you enjoy outdoor activities and the satisfaction of working with and organizing programmes for young people, contact Group Leader Martin Walsh (36456).

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NEW HEADSTONES supplied in Limestone, Marble and Granite. Inscriptions on old headstones renovated.
Contact Sean O’Brien at 0502 – 36557.

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SYMPATHY is extended to the Clarke family, Carrigan Street, on their recent bereavement.

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POKER NITE

Results for Tuesday 3rd January

1st Pat Bergin
2nd Eamon Rafter
Margo McKenzie
Ian Drennan
Richard Dempsey
Tom Woods

Results for Tuesday 10th January

1st Finian Dempsey
2nd Eamon Ryan
John Woods
Liz Clancy
Ian Drennan
Elsie Stewart

Results for Tuesday 17th January

1st Kieran Soames
2nd Tom Woods
Pat Bergin
Thomas Gilligan
Liz Clancy
Billy White

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CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE

Art Classes will be commencing on Monday 30th January in Cullohill Community Centre from 7 – 9.00 p.m. An introductory talk to these classes will be given on Monday 23rd January from 7 – 8.00 p.m. All are welcome to attend this talk.

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LIONS SOCCER CLUB

The Lions continue to improve with a good away draw with St. Pat’s, Graiguecullen on Sunday last. Despite the wet conditions the Lions played well and were unlucky not to win. The game ended 2-2 with Robbie Dempsey and Seanie Delahunty scoring.

Supporters of Lions South East draw are waiting anxiously for this weekend as the third draw took place on Friday night in Oilgate, Co. Wexford. Results in next issue. Hopefully there will be more winners for the club.

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HOCKEY

Local girl Lorraine Furney has been selected for the Irish National U/18 hockey panel which will travel to Scotland in April for the Home Countries International Competition.

A sixth year student in Kilkenny College, Lorraine has amassed a number of outstanding honours in the sport. She is a member of the South East U/18 and U/21 teams and is vice captain of the U/18 team.

Lorraine is wished well in April and in the future.

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A THOUGHT FOR EACH DAY

January 21st

Tackle something truly great and aim at something high. You don’t know what you can achieve until you really try. Do not be content to take life’s joys and pull no weight. Man was made for enterprises glorious and great.

January 22nd

We do not always get the things we aimed for at the start. The sweet desire of early youth, the dear wish of the heart. But through our disappointments God’s own wisdom we can trace. Something is denied – but something better takes its place.

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