DURROW DEVELOPMENT FORUM: The AGM of Durrow Development Forum will be held on Wednesday 3rd February at 8.30pm in the Courthouse Library. Please come along on the night and show your support of the work being done by this very active group. If you would like to get involved with any of the many projects on our agenda it would be a great way to get involved in the community. Everyone welcome.

DURROW COMMUNITY COUNCIL: The Annual Senior Citizens Party will he held on Saturday 6th March in the Castle Arms Hotel from 2.00pm to 6.00pm. The next monthly meeting of the committee will be held on Monday 8th February at 8.30pm in the Computer Centre. All members please attend.

LUCKY DIP DRAW: The Lucky Dip Draw tickets are on sale and can be purchased from any member of the Durrow Development Forum at a cost of 1 cent up to €20. First Prize €5,000, Second Prize €1,000, Third Prize €500 and ten prizes of €50. As funding is needed to continue with the very successful Festivals during 2010 we ask for your support of this draw.

DURROW DEVELOPMENT FORUM – ST. PATRICK’S DAY ANNUAL NON-MOTORISED PARADE MARCH 17th 2010: On 17th March there will be an Open Air Market on the Green starting at 11.00am and the non-motorised Parade will start at 2.00pm from Erkindale Drive followed by Kid’s Irish Fancy Dress Disco, Bouncing Castles, Face Painting, Tattoos and much much more. Come out and place a bet on our Leprechaun Racing, watch some welly wanging with the little people and guess the weight of the three Fat Ladies. A great day of fun on the green for everyone. Come out and take part in the parade and enjoy the fun on the day.

BROADBAND IN DURROW: Eircom are offering broadband speeds of up to 7.6mb in the Durrow Area. Telephone numbers beginning with (057) 8736xxx or 8740xxx should qualify for this service which depends upon line condition and distance from the exchange on Mill Road.

LIVE DURROW WEATHER: A useful free live weather service is at www.laoisweather.com

DURROW ACTIVE OVER 50’S GROUP: The weekly meetings of the Over 50’s Group continues in the Boy’s School, on Tuesdays at 7.30pm. New members always welcome.

CHURCH CLEANING ROTA: Church cleaners for the month of February as follows: Rosezeta Murphy, Kate Lappin, Kay Sheppard, Ann Kealy and Mary Kennedy.

OSSORY PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2010: Bookings are now invited for our Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes from May 22nd to May 27th 2010. The Cost is €720 p.p.s. All who are interested in traveling should contact Glenmore Parish Office on (051) 880414, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10.30am to 2.30pm or glenmore@ossory.ie by email.

Sympathy is extended to the Campion Family, Derrywood, Durrow on their recent bereavement.
Sympathy is extended to the Lawlor Family, Mill Road, Durrow on the death of Mrs. Sheila Lawlor and also on the death of Ethel Lawlor’s sister.
Sympathy is extended to Mary Porter (formally Erkindale Drive) on the death of Arthur.

LITTLE OAKS PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP: Meetings of the Parent, Baby and Toddler Group have resumed in the Presentation Centre on Tuesday mornings from 10.00am to 12.00pm. €3 per family. If you feel you are stuck at home and need a cuppa and a chat, please come and join us. While you are enjoying a bit of adult conversation, the children can get to play and interact with others. It is also a great way to see how they might react in a group before playschool. Group is open to parents, grandparents, childminders and anybody with babies and toddlers. Contact Delphine (086) 3655178.

ALL-IRELAND TALENT SHOW: Congratulations to the local group Na Fianna on being picked by the judges as the wildcard choice in the All Ireland Talent Show on RTE 1 television last Sunday night. The group will perform again in Dublin in four week time. The wildcard show winner is picked by public vote only so please get behind Na Fianna and vote for them on the night. They need your support.

Congratulations to Aine Lawlor, Mill Road, Durrow and Stephen Kelly, Dublin on their recent engagement while on holiday in the Azores.
Congratulations to David and Lisa (nee Muldowney) Cranny, Cullohill and Dundalk on the birth of a daughter, Mia Ellen.
Congratulations to Martin and Breda Muldowney, Parknahoun, Cullohill on the birth of a son, William.
Congratulations to Jack Fitzpatrick, Ballykealy, Durrow, who celebrates his 90th birthday this weekend.

ST. FERGAL’s COLLEGE RATHDOWNEY: There will be an open evening for prospective First year students and their parents on Thursday 11th February, from 5.00pm to 7.30pm. A short presentation will be made at 7.30pm. Students may be enrolled on the nights.

OUR LADY’S MEADOW PRIMARY SCHOOL: Enrolment will take place for Our Lady’s Meadow Primary School, starting February 2nd to February 26th. Enrolment forms can be picked up from the school office between 9.00am and 3.00pm.

SINN FEIN: Aaron Delaney, has been appointed to Sinn Fein’s All Ireland Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. If you have any submissions for the committee you can contact Aaron on (087) 6282034 or aaronlaois@gmail.com by email.

SATURDAY MARKET: The weekly market is held in the IT Centre from 9.3am to 1pm. Please Support

DURROW PARISH LOTTO: Monday 18th January 2010: There was no jackpot winner of €1,600. The Numbers drawn were: 04, 07, 17 and 22. The small draw winners were: €30: Liam Fitzpatrick, Tubberboe, Durrow, Laois; €25: Deirdre Moore, Derry Road, Durrow, Laois; €20: Maebh Deegan, Oldtown, Cullohill, Co. Laois.
Monday 25th January 2010: There was no jackpot winner of €1,750. The Numbers drawn were: 02, 03, 10 and 26. The small draw winners were: €30: T/M/E Doyle, Swan Cross, Durrow, Co. Laois; €25: Mick Pearse, Ballyragget, Kilkenny County; €20: Barbara Dowling.

HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB: Go online and visit: www.harpscamogie.com for more information, pictures, videos and news from the club.

DURROW/CULLOHILL ANGLERS: The AGM of Durrow/Cullohill Anglers was held in the Durrow Inn on January 20th and the following officers were elected: Chairman: Mick O’Rourke, Vice Chairman: Jim Dwyer, Secretary: Mick Walsh, Ass. Secretary: Pat Dunphy, Treasurer: Oliver Lawlor, Safety Officer: Philip Kearney. Committee: Shane Lawlor, David Dunne, Brendan Sheppard, Tom Gilligan, Darren Cooney, Paddy Dwyer, Simon Dwyer, David Walsh and Paul O’Brien. The next committee meeting will take place on February 3rd in the Durrow Inn at 9.00pm.

STARS IN YOUR EYES DVD: A DVD of the Stars in your Eyes show held recently is available from Pat Farrell Photography. Contact (087) 2814661 or (056) 8833443. The cost is €12 per DVD.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2010: Throughout Ireland Catholic Schools Week will begin on Sunday 31st January and conclude on Sunday 7th February. This annual event celebrates the contribution of our Catholic Schools to the mission of the Church in educating and forming our young people in every aspect of their lives. In our own Diocese we give thanks for parents and teachers, members of boards of management and parent’s councils, priests, and many others who give their time and energy in ensuring that our children receive the best education possible and are given the ability to realize their full potential as human beings and as children of God.
This Year’s Theme: The theme for Catholic Schools Week this year is ‘Catholic Schools – a light for every generation’. It reflects the fact that in partnership with the home and the parish, the Catholic School brings the light of Christ to shine on every aspect of the education of children and young people. It also reminds us that we are constantly challenged to ensure that some light of Christ shines not just for today’s generation but also for future generations of our people.
How is Catholic Schools Week Celebrated? Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated in our diocese by the presentation of a candle to each school, reflecting the theme of light, and as a mark of appreciation for the work of all involved in the task of Catholic education in the local community. You are also asked to keep our schools in your prayers during this coming week. Below is a prayer which parents might like to say for their children before departing for school in the morning and also a prayer of thanksgiving for your local school. Schools and Parishes have also received resources to help them in celebrating Catholic Schools Week.

SPRINGTIME CRAFTS AND PANCAKE PARTY: Would you like to give the children opportunity to explore their creative talents this Spring Season in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere? If so, come along to the Springtime Workshops for Children (5-12 years) between 10am and 3pm daily from 15th to 19th February in An Cnoc Ban, Spink, Co. Laois. Each workshop will include crafts, nature trail and pancake party and children will create their own nature based items to bring home. The cost per workshop is €35.00 per day which includes lunch and all materials. Booking is essential as numbers are limited to ensure hands-on participation under the supervision of trained staff. For further details & booking contact Mary or John on (057) 8700054 or (086) 2779668 or ancnocban@ireland.com by email.

LAOIS COUNTY CHILDCARE COMMITTEE: A coffee morning will be held for Childminders/Potential Childminders in Roll’n’Bowl, Portlaoise on Wednesday 10th February at 11am. Admission is Free and Children get free admission to the play area and refreshments will be provided for adults.

FRENCH CLASSES: Classes with French Native experienced Teacher. Venue: Swan Road, Durrow. Children classes with fun and seasonal activities (games, arts, cooking, gardening… in French.) For further details and booking please contact Isabelle on (086) 0722183.

GARDENING COURSE: With Tanguy. Our kitchen garden or “potager” is a typical French garden where you mix vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers. We provide quality gardening courses which are practical, easy to follow, enjoyable. The courses are run at our own garden at Swan Road, Durrow which is a full working kitchen garden with projects going on in all four seasons. For further details and booking contact Tanguy on (087) 1258002 or visit www.dunmorecountryschool.ie online.

HEYWOOD COMMUNITY SCHOOL: Adult Education classes will commence in Heywood Community School, Ballinakill from the 1st February 2010. Proposed courses as follows: Practical Cookery Class: Tuesday 23rd February. Menu available on enrolment. Safe Pass Course: Thursday 11th February. For further information contact Olivia O’Connor at the school on (057) 8733333 or (087) 9016509.

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE: Cards continue every Sunday night at 8.30pm.

THE LYRICS BOARD: In True Durrow Style! The Lyrics Board is back again! Test your music knowledge and When you See it, Sing it and Maybe you will Win it! Bobs Bar, 5th February at 9.30pm; The Durrow Inn, 12th February at 9.30pm; Castle Arms Hotel, 19th February at 9.30pm; Dec’s Bar, 26th February at 9.30pm; Peadars Bar, 5th March at 9.30pm and Lennons Bar, 12th March at 9.30pm.