CONGRATULATIONS: to Tara Kelly and Sean Ryan on the birth of a baby boy – Brendan.
Congratulations: to Jamie Drennan and Trisha Hennessey on the birth of a son – Jack.

PEDAL VINTAGE – Durrow Community Bike Hire Scheme: Exciting news for your, healthy, new years resolution! In April (on a start-date to be determined) we are teaming up with Ross, at Core Health and Fitness, to bring you – “Pedal for Health” an eight week leisure cycling programme, designed to improve your general health, fitness and well-being. This programme will include, two leisure cycles each week, in addition to a one-to-one, body composition assessment, introduction to wellness support and talks on a healthy eating plan by a qualified nutritionist.
Participants will avail of our brand new leisure bicycles, which will be supplied for the duration of this exciting wellness programme. All inclusive fee, for this sixteen session programme is €60. Early booking is advisable as numbers are very limited. Active retirement groups are very welcome to participate. For further particulars please call Hugh (086) 8694691 or Ross (087) 9302152.

DURROW ART CLUB EXHIBITION IN ABBEYLEIX: An exciting Art Exhibition from Durrow Art Club opened at Abbeyleix Library on February 6th and runs until Saturday February 29th. Abbeyleix Library opening times are: Mondays – Closed; Tuesdays – 9.30am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 5pm; Wednesdays – 9.30am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 5pm; Thursdays – 9.30am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 7.30pm; ?Fridays – 9.30am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 5pm;? Saturdays – 10am to 2pm. Adult Art Classes continue every Wednesday and Thursday nights from 7pm to 9pm in Durrow Library. Beginners are most welcome. All enquiries to Marie on (086) 313 6028.

DURROW FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE: Fire and Rescue Service Laois County Council wishes to invite applications from suitably qualified persons for inclusion on a panel which is established to fill the vacancy for retained Firefighter in Durrow. Applications, on official application forms must be received by post not later than 4pm on Tuesday February 11th. Further particulars and application forms from Aras an Chontae, Portlaoise or to humanresources@laoiscoco.ie by email.

AUCTION: Galmoy GAA club are hosting their Annual Parish Auction in the Parish Hall, Galmoy on Sunday February 9th at 1.30pm. There will be loads of bargains to be got including Timber, Silage, Hay, Straw, Farm items, Vouchers and more.

DURROW WALKING GROUP: Are you interested in getting out to walk but worried about the darker evenings, walking alone or need a group to help encourage you. Durrow walking group will meet at 7.30pm at CastleDurrow gates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the same time. This is a group walk at your own pace. Please wear visi vest and bring torch. Walk with a group and chat as you walk. Suitable for both men and women. €2 charge per night which will go to the ongoing fundraiser for the redevelopment of The Lions AFC Pitch. No commitment needed. Come out and join in when you can. For information please contact Ann on (085) 8870532, evenings only.

BE SAFE – BE SEEN: With evenings still getting darker early, and few hours of daylight during the day, it’s even more important for vulnerable road-users such as walkers, joggers and cyclists to ensure they can be seen by other road-users when out on the roads. The most effective way to do this is to wear high visibility clothing such as a high-viz vest or a Sam Browne belt, carrying a torch when out on the roads and by ensuring you have working lights on your bicycle. Through our partnership with Electric Ireland, every junior infant in Ireland will receive a high visibility vest which will help to ensure our most vulnerable road-users can be safe and be seen when out on the roads. 154 people have been killed on Irish roads to date this year, 14 more road deaths when compared to the same period last year. Of these, 21 were pedestrians and five were cyclists. The Road Safety Authority is advising all road-users to be safe and be seen when using the roads this winter.

SENIOR ALERT SCHEME: The Woodenbridge Community Alert are the local authorised Personal Alarm (Senior Alert Scheme) suppliers for the Durrow, Cullohill, Ballacolla and Rathdowney areas. The new programme states that (1) eligible persons (65 years and over) no longer have to be living alone; and (2) there will be free monitoring of alarm service for one year for all new participants after November 1st 2017. For more information contact Michael G Phelan (087) 2395357.

SOCIAL DANCE CLASSES: There will be Social Dance Classes for Waltz, Quickstep, and Foxtrot, etc… held in the Ballyragget Community Hall every Saturday night from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. This is a Healthy, relaxing and very sociable evening. All are most welcome and for more information please contact Yvonne on (087) 2448535.

NO JUNK MAIL STICKERS: Fed up of Junk Mail and want to do your bit for the environment – there are now free stickers in Lawlor’s Gala and Ryan’s Daybreak. Pick up yours today and stick them to your letter box! For more updates, click like on the Durrow Tidy Towns Facebook Page.

SET DANCING CLASSES: Set Dancing Classes in The Castle Arms Hotel, Durrow continue on Mondays from 8.30pm until 10.30pm. Beginners are most welcome. Contact Declan on (087) 2168680 for more information.

DURROW CHOIR: Vocem Darú Choir (Durrow’s Community Choir) is back! Rehearsals continue on Tuesdays and we are always looking for new members. We sing a wide range of Music – popular, classical, international – with the focus on fun and friendship. For more details phone Ann on (086) 6045409

DURROW LIBRARY: The Chatty Crafting Group in the library is going from strength to strength! Meeting at the library every Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm. Come for the crochet and stay for the chats!
Lego Free Play Sessions are being held every Saturday from 11am to 12 midday. Duplo is available for younger builders!

LIVE LOCAL WEATHER: Visit www.laoisweather.com for live local weather data from Durrow.

PRESENTATION CENTRE: The Presentation Centre beside the Catholic Church is available for hire. For further information please contact Angela on (087) 1928522.

NEW NUMBER FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Please note our new phone number (087) 6072617.

ODIN: Kettlebell Fitness and Sport Classes continue on Fridays in Core Fitness via ODIN Kettlebell Club. Times: 6pm for kids and 7pm for adults. Get fit, tone up, meet new friends and have an option to compete. All ages and fitness levels welcome. For further information go to Facebook ODIN Kettlebell Club or by email to dunnetherapy@gmail.com or to (089) 4400758.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be on sale the weekend of February 29th and March 1st 2020 – weather permitting. All adverts must be booked with Angela Drennan (087) 1928522 or (057) 8736419. Advertisements cost €2 per issue of Durrow Parish Newsletter and must be paid for in advance.