STARS IN YOUR EYES: On Saturday 7th December some of the worlds most famous stars were paid homage to in the Castle Arms Hotel. Local performers unveiled their talents to a packed audience for the Stars in Your Eyes Show which was held in aid of Durrow Development Forum. The committee really appreciates the great work put into the show by all the performers and the great support from everyone on the night.
Presentations: On the night two cheque presentations were made to Mary Delaney of Laois Hospice from monies raised by the Howya Handshake for Hospice Guinness Book of Records which amounted to €5,030. This cheque was presented by Sean and Ger Conroy. A cheque for €1,450 was presented by Mary Ryan, from money raised to date by the Memory Quilt. The Memory Quilt is ongoing. If anyone wishes to have a dead family member or friends remembered on this quilt you can give names to Mary Ryan or any Forum Member, cost €10. When finished the Quilt will hang in Durrow Library.
Lucky Dip Draw: Durrow Development Forum have launched a Lucky Dip Draw for €7,000 in prizes. You can purchase a ticket from 1 cent to €20 to win: First Prize €5,000; Second Prize €1,000; Third Prize €500 and ten prizes of €50. The draw will be held on The Green in Durrow on March 17th 2010 at 4.00pm. Tickets are limited to 2,000 and are available from any Forum member. As funding is needed to continue with the very successful Festivals during 2010 we ask for your support of this draw.

THANK YOU: Thank you to all who attended the Halloween Fancy Dress Party in Aid of Loffa (Laois/Offaly Families for Autism) held in O’Connell’s Pub, Cullohill on Saturday 31st October. The amount raised on the night was €2,005 including raffle. All prizes were sponsored by the following, Castle Arms Hotel, The Ashbrook Arms, Leinster Sports Clinic, JP Transpeed, Centra Urlingford, Ballybooden Piggery, O’Connell’s Pub, McHughs Chemist Kildare, Claire Bergin Hairdressers, Pascal Bergin, Switz Swoo Boutique Banagher and many more on the night. We wish to thank everyone involved especially Fiona Deegan for all the help with organizing what was a fantastic night. Also O’Connell’s Pub for their co-operation and support. From Caroline and Alma.

NOTE: If you are missing a jacket or shoes since the MakeBelievers € ‘round the Green please check the Lost & Found in Londis Topshop before the end of November.

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.

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

ATTENTION LADIES: An afternoon of pampering on Sunday 29th November from 3.00pm to 7.00pm in The Presentation Centre. The session will include: Holistic treatments, Reflexology, Relaxation techniques, Indian Head Massage plus lots, lots more. Booking is essential as places are limited. Contact Mairead on (086) 0738559.

PILATE CLASSES: Pilate classes are held from 7.30pm to 8.30pm each Friday in Cullohill Community Centre. All are welcome.

DURROW LIBRARY NEWS: Opening Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays from 1.00pm to 4.00pm and 6.00pm to 8.00pm. Fridays from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Saturdays from 11.00am to 1.00pm. Drop into the new library at the Cultural Centre and see the great selection of fiction and non-fiction books for both adults and children. Audio, Large Print, Reference Books and much much more. Internet access and photocopying service available.

DURROW PARISH CHOIR: Anyone that is interested in joining the Parish Choir should attend our practice on Thursday 26th November at 8.30pm in Durrow Church. Adults, both male and female, and Children are welcome, for the lead up to Christmas. Any further information required by contacting Vicky Murphy, Anne Conroy or any Choir Member. If you can sing, then please consider joining.

SATURDAY NIGHT SINGSONG: A Singsong will be held every Saturday Night in The Castle Arms Hotel commencing on Saturday December 12th at 9.30pm. Come along and enjoy the Craic, sing a few songs, play a tune, clap your hands, throw a few shapes on the dancefloor! Music provided by Andrew Walsh. Everyone is most welcome.

GALA CHRISTMAS FLOWER SHOW: Cullohill/Durrow Flower & Gardening Club presents a Gala Christmas Flower Demonstration by Oliver Lawlor in the Castle Arms Hotel on Thursday 3rd December, commencing at 8.00pm sharp. Admission €10. Tea/Coffee and Mulled Wine with mince pies will be served. Proceeds will go to Alzheimers Society and Make Believers

HEYWOOD COMMUNITY SCHOOL – Open Night: There will be an Open Night for Heywood Community School, Ballinakill on Monday 23rd November for prospective First Year Students and Parents from 7.00pm to 9.00pm.
H Factor Talent Competition: The final of the H Factor Talent Competition will be staged on Thursday 3rd December at 8.00pm sharp. Tickets available from Secretary’s Office, Heywood Community School, Trax Portlaoise, Marans Abbeyleix, The Stores Durrow and News & Chews Ballyragget.

Sympathy is extended to the Seale family, Attanagh on their recent bereavement.
Sympathy is extended to the Sheppard family, Derry Road, Durrow on their recent bereavement.
Sympathy I extended to the Kelly & Sheppard families, St. Fintan’s Tce. Durrow on their recent bereavement.
Sympathy is extended to the O’Keeffe family, Grennan, Attanagh, on their recent bereavement.

COFFEE MORNING: There will be a Coffee Morning in the School of the Holy Spirit, Callan Road, Kilkenny on Saturday 28th November from 10.30am to 12.20pm. All proceeds will go towards music therapy and other therapies for children at School of the Holy Spirit. Your support would be appreciated.

Congratulations to Barry and Emer Murphy, Dunmore, Durrow on the birth of a daughter, Estel.
Congratulations to Frank and Fidelma Bergin, Coolnacritta on the birth of a son, Kieran.

DURROW PARISH LOTTO: Monday 9th November 2009: There was no jackpot winner of €6,550. The Numbers drawn were: 13, 16, 19 and 25. The small draw winners were: €30: Emer O’Brien, Derry Road, Durrow, Laois; €25: Pat Dunne, c/o Tommy Walsh; €20: Enda Murphy, Chapel St., Durrow, Laois.
Monday 16th November 2009: There was no jackpot winner of €6,700. The Numbers drawn were: 03, 06, 12 and 19. The small draw winners were: €30: Tom Gilligan, Castletown, Co. Laois; €25: Adam Whyte, Cullohill, County Laois; €20: Tommy Whyte Jnr. Cullohill, Co. Laois.

HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB: The Harps Junior girls amazing run of success came to an end in O’Moore Park on Sunday last. St Anne’s of Waterford took away the girls dreams of Four All-Irelands in a row. St Anne’s got off to the better start and were leading half-way through the first half with a two goal advantage. The last ten minutes of the first half was all about the Harps and the girls got within two points of St Anne’s.
In the second half the Harps girls were back to their usual form and took over the lead from St Anne’s. The game could have gone either way. The decisive score came with ten minutes to go when St Anne’s scored their third goal of the game. The Harps battled right to the end but it was to be St Anne’s day. The end score line was St Anne’s 3-10 Harps 0-16
Since 2006, the Harps Junior team have brought great excitement and pride to the community. Well done to all involved for their huge commitment. They are an incredible team and will no doubt be back again next year.

The Harps: Helen Keane; Deirdre Holland, Denise Quigley, Joan Dollard; Michelle Fitzpatrick, Caitriona Phelan, Claire Walsh; Elaine Mahony, Louise Mahony (0-12); Joanne Prior, Laura Mahony, Maria Dunne; Emma Saunders, Áine Mahony (0-4), Theresa Bennett.
Subs: Angela Hanlon, Patricia Dunphy, Martina Hyland, Emily Delahunty, Fidelma Lawless, Bronagh Dunne, Maria Fitzpatrick, Aoife Donohue, Lorna Campion, Rosemary Phelan, Shauna Monahan.

Congratulations to Louise Mahony on being awarded a Soaring Star at the recent Camogie All-Star awards in City West Hotel. It is long overdue that Louise was recognised by the Camogie Association for her skill, talent and commitment to the game, The Harps and Laois. Louise captained the Harps in 2008 to their Third All Ireland in succession and always plays her heart out at mid-field. Well done Louise.

Congratulations to our brilliant centre back Catriona Phelan on being chosen as Laois Camogie Player of the year for 2009. A natural leader with an incredible ability to read the game of camogie, she is long overdue recognition by her piers.

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

DURROW CREDIT UNION: Credit Union Poster Competition Winners:  Special Needs: First: Stephen Bergin Our Lady’s Meadow NS, Durrow. 7yrs & Under: First: Eimear Fitzpatrick St. Tighernach’s NS, Cullohill. Second: Teresa Grady Our Lady’s Meadow NS, Durrow. Third: Lauren McGuigan St. Tighernach’s NS, Cullohill. 8 – 10yrs: First: Nessa Mc Evoy St. Tighernach’s NS, Cullohill. Second: Louise Walsh St. Tighernach’s NS, Cullohill. Third: Fionn Whelan Our Lady’s Meadow NS, Durrow. 11 – 13yrs First: Casey Drennan Our Lady’s Meadow NS, Durrow. Second: Emily O’Flaherty St. Pius NS, Ballacolla. Third: James Kavanagh St. Pius NS, Ballacolla. Many thanks to all those who participated in the Poster Competition.

LIVE WEATHER DATA: To view up-to-date current conditions and past weather data you can visit www.laoisweather.com – The live weather data page is updated automatically every five minutes.

CHRISTMAS FUN FOR CHILDREN: An Cnoc Ban, Spink, Co. Laois is the venue for lots of Christmas fun on Saturday 5th December with fun activities daily for 5 to 12 year olds. The morning Arts and Crafts Session including creating seasonal cards and crafts and much more will run from 10.30am until 1.00pm. Children can take part in a Christmas Baking Session, where they will bake some edible items to bring home or give as gifts, from 1.30pm to 4.00pm.
The cost is € 15 per workshop or € 35 per day, including lunch. Pre-booking is essential as numbers are limited. For further details and booking contact John or Mary at (057) 8700054 or (086) 2779668 or contact ancnocban@ireland.com by email.

CITIZENS INFORMATION CENTRE: The Citizens Information Centre will be available to deal with your queries in Rathdowney on the following dates: Thursday morning November 26th from 10.00m to 12.30pm and Thursday morning December 10th from 10.00am to 12.30pm. These clinics will be in the Social Welfare offices, no appointment necessary. This service is strictly private and confidential. For further information please contact Citizens Information Centre, Portlaoise (057) 8621425, or Michelle Tuohy in Laois Partnership on (087) 3107777.

CHILDMINDERS: Laois Childminding Initiative are hosting an evening Christmas arts and crafts workshop for Childminders/Potential Childminders in Portlaoise on Tuesday, 24th November. Cost of this workshop is €5 per person. For bookings, phone Fiona McHugh Child Minder Advisory Officer (057) 9370631 or Laois County Childcare Committee (057) 8661029.