30th November / 1st December, 1996                                                                                                                                Price 30p

DURROW PARISH NEWSLETTER

COMPILED BY THE DURROW SCOUTS

ADVENT REFLECTION
Isiah says, “Prepare the way of the Lord”. But that’s not all of it. he says, “In the desert prepare the way of the Lord”. Where’s the desert in our town? Where’s the desert in our parish? Where’s the desert in my family? Where’s the desert in my heart?
What is a desert? What words describe one? Hot, barren, empty, lonesome, fearsome. The desert is where no one can live for long. Where not much grows, where we become uncomfortable and want to leave.
The desert through which we must prepare the Lord’s way is not in the Holy Land, not in Bethlehem. It’s here – in our town, in our parish, beginning with our own hearts.
Jesus has come. he is here with us. And so for Advent to be a time of welcoming, we must invite Him where He’s never been – the barren, empty, lifeless spot in our lives where we’ve never let Him in before.
The desert is the corner of our hearts where we are uneasy, where it hurts. It is the corner that needs Christmas badly – healing, and the touch of Jesus’s love.
The desert puts limits on our love, and hinders our growing. Perhaps our desert is the way we treat someone close to us, or failure to use our talents. Maybe it’s a grudge we hold and refuse to let go. maybe it’s a corner of our heart where way down deep we don’t really like ourselves.
We have to look hard to discover the personal desert within us that is denying admittance to Christmas.
Christmas is not so much for children as for those who have grown enough to realize that Christmas can happen in a way it never has before. We have only to find our desert and prepare the way of the Lord for His coming.
His coming – His Advent – depends on our invitation, our welcome. What is more exciting than to be invited to go some place you’ve never been before?
He’ll love it!
And His love will turn our deserts into oases. COME LORD JESUS!

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DURROW LADIES CLUB

The December meeting of Durrow Ladies Club will be held in the Castle Arms Hotel, on Tuesday 3rd December, at 8.00 p.m. sharp. Demonstrations of Christmas Arrangements will be by Oliver lawlor, at 8.30 p.m. everyone welcome. Enquiries to mary kelly, phone 36406.

Outstanding money for Christmas party to be paid on the night.

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DURROW BADMINTON CLUB

It’s that time of year again – people getting organised for Christmas and all it’s festivities. Durrow Badminton Club invites you all to our Annual Christmas Bazaar which will be held on Sunday 8th December in the usual venue ( the Badminton hall ). There will be great prizes for our Wheel Of Fortune raffles, various stands, entertainment for all the family, and of course our Special Guest will be SANTA CLAUS who will arrive at 2.00 p.m. sharp.

Thank You!

Durrow Badminton Club wish to take this opportunity to thank the local FAS Team who have helped us out with innumerable tasks this year. Their help over the year has contributed greatly to the upkeep and maintenance of the hall. Great Job Lads!!

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DURROW PARISH LOTTO RESULTS

Monday 18th November: No Jackpot winner. £50 won by Dick Doran, Lisdowney. No.s 5 – 20 – 23.

Monday 25th November: No Jackpot winner. £50 won by Bernie Healy, Castlewood, Durrow.

Next draw in The Durrow Inn on Monday 2nd December. Jackpot £1,650.

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DURROW & DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB

The Liam Hyland M.E.P. Cup which is awarded for the best slide of the year was won recently by Terence Smeaton. The full result is as follows:

1st – Terence Smeaton, 2nd – Pat farrell, 3rd – Pat Farrell. Eugene Meegan presented the prizes at the Club Exhibition. The Exhibition was a great success with a large crowd viewing the club members best work.

All members, Junior and Senior are reminded that the Photographer of the Year and the Print of the Year competitions are being judged on Monday 9th December.

Up to five 10″ x 8″ can be entered in the Senior Event. Up to five 7″ x 5″ can be entered in the Junior event. Usual rules apply.

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CULLOHILL I.C.A. NEWS

Cullohill I.C.A. monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday 3rd December at 8.00 p.m. The bus leaves the village at 8.00 p.m. on Thursday 5th December for I.C.A. Federation Christmas Party at the Montague Hotel, Portlaoise. Non-members welcome to join us. Housewives come and enjoy a Christmas dinner served to you!! Pick up at Durrow also.

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CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE

All roads lead to Cullohill on Sunday 1st December to Blathnaid Bergin’s Creative Christmas Cooking. She will demonstrate a wide variety of Christmas Recipies. Door prize and Spot Prizes galore, and you could win a magnificently iced Christmas Cake. Refreshments served. Starts at 2.30 p.m. sharp. Everyone welcome.

Progressive 25 Results

Wednesday 13th Nov. – 1st Johnny Kelly and Neddy Brophy.
Wednesday 27th Nov. – Joint 1st Tommy White & Billy Kirby, Jimmy Mahony & Paddy Dunphy. 2nd Martin Mahony & Peader Duggan.
Jackpot of £30 starting next week.

We wish to thank all our sponsors for spot prizes for Monster Night on 27th November.

Membership due, please contact any committee member.

Squash and Handball Leagues commencing shortly.

NORTH OSSORY PIONEER MEETING at Cullohill Community Centre at 8.00 p.m. next Monday night, 2nd December. All pioneers and intending pioneers welcome.

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ST. FERGAL’S COLLEGE RATHDOWNEY – SPORTS NEWS

SENIOR CAMOIGE – This team has qualified for the Leinster semi-finals after beating Mountmellick in the Laois Final. The team had beaten Ballyfin and Heywood in their earlier games. Members of the panel include: Laura mahony, Sinead mahony, Imelda Galvin, Joyce Donohue and Marie Lalor.

JUNIOR CAMOIGE – This team was very unfortunate to lose to Wexford in their Leinster semi-final. The match was played in dreadful conditions and this was to Rathdowney’s disadvantage.

MIDLANDS LEAGUE CADETTE & SENIOR BASKETBALL – After two superb games in the league semi-finals both teams qualified for the Laois-Offaly Finals, which were played on Wednesday last in Portlaoise. The opponents in both games were Portarlington. The Cadette team played excellently and came out easy winners and now qualify for the Regional semi-finals, but the senior team were unlucky to end up losing by just 2 points. Members of the 2 panels include Imelda Galvin, Marie Lalor, Joyce Donohue, Laura Mahony and Maeve Brophy.

SENIOR HURLING – St. Fergal’s senior hurling team have qualified to the Leinster V.S. SHC semi-final, which will be played in Freshford on this Sunday, 1st Dec. Their opponents will be Ballyhale. They qualified for this after beating Kilcormac V.S. by 1 goal in a very tough match. Members of the panel include Thomas White, Kevin Galvin and Don O’Connell.

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Congratulations to Edel Ryan, Ballybooden, who graduated from Trinity College recently.

Congratulations to Catriona Fitzpatrick, Tubberboe, who graduated from Regional College, Limerick, recently.

Congratulations 7 Best Wishes to Tom O’Connell, Cullohill on his appointment as General Manager of the Berkley Court Hotel, Dublin.

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NEWSLETTER SELLERS

This Sunday morning – Martin Walsh, Jason Walsh, Ann Campion and Angela Drennan.

Weekend 14th / 15th December:  Saturday evening – Pat Young, Mark Young, Niall donohue and Pat Walsh. Sunday morning – Mary Lawlor, Jason Walsh, Sharon Lynch and David Dunne.

Cullohill Sellers: Saturday 14th Dec. Mary Kells, Norma Shiel and Teresa Dollard. Sunday 15th December – Laura mahony, Sinead Mahony and Alma Ryan.

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CASTLE ARMS HOTEL

LISDOONVARNA DANCING
on this Sunday afternoon, 1st December.
Dancing 3 – 6 p.m.
Music by Tommy Smellen
Admission £3

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For Sale: SUPER NINTENDO with six games. In good condition. Will sell for £100. Phone 0502-31643. Ask for Ronan.

For Sale: ATARI 2600, Joy Stick + 5 games (Pole Position, Desert Falcon, Commando, Space Invaders and Centipede). In perfect condition. Contact 0502 – 36186.

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Congratulations to Kathleen Flynn, Derry Road, Durrow, on winning £1,000 Shopping Spree in The Square, Tallagh, on 2FM Radio Competition.

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HEYWOOD COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Open Evening

The Heywood C.S. Open Evening is on Wednesday 11th December, from 7.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. The school extendsan invitation to parents of present pupils and also to parents of prospective students to visit the school and view the facilities as well as meeting the staff and viewing the work done over the years by pupils of the school.

Presentation

Heywood C.S. received generous grants from both laois and Kilkenny G.A.A. County Boards. On November 18th Fr.P.J. Nyland attended a function where Laois G.A.A. County Board announced plans for a £5,000 investment in Secondary Schools in the county. On November 19th Mr G. Dunphy represented Heywood C.S. in Aras O Garbhaill, Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, where the school received a generous grant for hurleys and sliotars.

Silver Circle Results

Week 7
1st Holiday Voucher – Ken Fyffe, The Square, Abbeyleix
2nd Bicycle – John O’Toole, Boley, Abbeyleix
3rd Drapery Voucher – P. Thornton, Bridge Street, Ballyragget
4th Radio/C.D. – Sean Miller, Boleybeg, Abbeyleix
5th Meal Voucher – Clare Egan, Moat Park, Ballyragget.
6th Voucher L.E.S. – Ed. Hutchinson, Killamuck, Abbeyleix

Week 8
1st Holiday Voucher – Bernie Phelan, Derrykern, Abbeyleix
2nd Portable T.V. – Iris Fyffe, The Square, Abbeyleix
3rd Grocery Voucher – Ita McCormack, Randalstown, Co. Antrim
4th Sports Voucher – Mairead Woods, Carrigan Street, Durrow
5th Meal Voucher – Clare Farrell, Ballinaslee, Attanagh
6th Voucher L.E.S. – Frances Carroll, The Island, Abbeyleix

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DURROW & DISTRICT ANGLERS

The Pike Angling Federation hold the 9th Qualifier of the Federation on Sunday 1st December. starting at 12 noon, finishing at 5.00 p.m. The venue is Lock Muckno, Castleblaney.

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Congratulations to Claire delahunty, Newtown, on winning £1,000 Shopping Spree in the Square, Tallagh, in 2FM Radio Competition.

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DURROW/CULLOHILL COMMUNITY ALERT

Durrow/Cullohill Community Alert wish to convey its thanks to all who contributed to the recent Church Gate Collection at which £442.06p was collected. The continued support of the community is greatly appreciated.

People are advised of the dangers of allowing strangers into their homes. Always seek identification. Check out their story. Keep back door locked when answering front door. Never leave strangers alone while in your home. Do not leave money or valuables in view. Do not hand over money or goods to strangers.

Durrow/Cullohill Community Alert want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year.

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

Sympathy is extended to the relatives of Larry Phelan, formerly of Graiguevoice, Cullohill, who died recently in Manchester.

Sympathy is extended to the relatives of Dinah Hayes formerly of Aharney, who died recently in Wembley. Her burial will take place in Aharney Cemetary, on a day to be arranged.

Sympathy is extended to Nora Muldowney, The Castle, Cullohill, on the death of her brother-in-law, Wm. Dermody.

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CULLOHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL

The sixth class from Cullohill along with the two sixth classes from Durrow, visited St. Fergal’s Rathdowney, on Wednesday last for the school’s Open Day. They were shown around the school and had a fun afternoon.

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Cullohill Macra Na Feirme are holding a Table Quiz in O’ Connell’s Pub on Friday December 6th at 9.00 p.m. Everyone welcome.

Good Luck to Elaine Mahony, Cullohill, who will star on Echo Island on Friday 6th December. She will be on the Hot-Seat competition answering questions on a novel.

Harps G.A.A. Club A.G.M. on Sunday 8th December in Castle Arms Hotel at 6.00 p.m. sharp. CABARET on Saturday 30th November in the Castle Arms Hotel. Support appreciated.

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DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES FAS 6

D.C.S. (FAS 6) for 1996 has finished. A great deal of thanks is due to the committee members, the participating clubs, and the supervisor and workers.

The current scheme has been of great benefit to our local community, churches and schools. The type of work carried out was – school secretaries, classroom attendants, caretaker, cutting of grass and general upkeep of the town, approach roads, church grounds and school grounds, maintenance work in Community Hall and all work requested by the clubs.

Our Supervisor, Sean Brophy, retires from the Scheme this year and we would like to thank him from all concerned for his dedication, hard work and his rapport with the workers and the committee.

The committee are hopeful the new scheme will start up early in the new year.

List of work carried out in November: Our Lady’s Meadow – Collect and arrange chairs for Concert, bring mats from Cullohill School.
Catholic Church Grounds – Cut and trimmed grass, cleaned and swept pathways, cleaned and hoovered Church. Repaired side door.
Boy’s School – Repaired shed doorand mesh wire fence welded. Cleaned and swept grounds. Collected barrels and erected stage for concert.
Cleaned and swept town and cleaned flowers beds in the Square.
Cleaned and swept Badminton Hall, inside and outside.
Collected and erected Christmas Tree, also fence and lights etc.
Emptied all litter bins around the town.
Harps G.A.A. Club – Cleaned ivy off wall and repaired gate at club grounds.

Durrow Parish Dance will be held in the Castle Arms Hotel on 31st January ’97. Hot Supper will be served. Admission £6. A great night assured.

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Durrow Tidy Towns Committee would like to thank Sean Brophy and the FAS team for all the work carried out by them in the town and surrounding areas throughout the year. Were it not for their great work we would not have scored so high in this years Tidy Towns Competition. Our best wishes to Sean Brophy in his retirement. Our thanks to everyone who contributed to the Church Gate Collection.

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