CONGRATULATIONS: to to Adam Ryan, Moyne, Durrow who graduated recently from The Limerick Institute of Technology with a B.A. Honours Degree in Electronic Engineering.

PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP: A Parent and Toddler group will continue in the Presentation Hall, Durrow on Tuesdays from 9.30am. Any parents, carers, childminders etc… interested in attending with their little people, suitable from baby stage up to pre-school for a play, chat, cuppa and cake are most welcome to attend. For information contact (086) 3914725. We will hold a few sessions over the coming weeks to gauge interest and sustainability of the group.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR 2017: The Annual Christmas Craft Fair will take place in The Castle Arms Hotel, Durrow this Saturday, November 11th from 11am to 5.30pm. Crafts people from far and wide will present their unique Christmas gifts at affordable prices. Admission – FREE! Come Browse & Buy! For more information please contact – Mary (087) 2200199 or contact her at durrowcraftfairs@gmail.com by email.

CULLOHILL-DURROW FLOWER CLUB: Cullohill and Durrow flower club hold their AGM and club night on Monday 13th November at 8pm in The Community Centre in Cullohill. The Annual Christmas Gala will be held on December 11th at 8pm in The Castle Arms Hotel with Oliver Lawlor. There will be mulled wine and mince pies as usual! Admission will be just €10 with all proceeds supporting The Irish Association for Cancer Research. Please come along and support.

ST VINCENT de PAUL: Anyone looking for help can contact us on (087) 3476012.

CULLOHILL WALKING CLUB: As the dark evenings draw in why not stay active and walk in the safety and the company of others. Walking continues every Monday and Friday evening leaving Cullohill community centre at 7.30 pm sharp. Free activity. All welcome.

ABBEYLEIX GOLF CLUB – ANTIQUES ROADSHOW: Abbeyleix Golf Club will host an Antiques Roadshow this Sunday, November 12th from 2pm until 5pm. Specialists will be in attendance from the record making Sheppard’s Irish Auction House, Durrow with all proceeds to Abbeyleix Golf Club fund (1 x item: €5; 3 x items: €10). Antiques, Asian Arts, Books, Collectibles, Clock & Watches, Glass, Jewellery, Arms & Militaria, Pottery & Porcelain, Paintings & Drawings, Prints, Manuscripts Maps, Sports Memorabilia, Toys & Games, Tribal Arts, etc… Visit www.sheppards.ie for more information, email info@sheppards.ie or telephone (057) 8740000. Please spread the word and come along on the day!

THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2017: The Third Laois Durrow Scouts Group AGM will be held on this Monday, November 13th at 8pm in the Den. All are welcome to attend. Well done to our two Cubs Sophie Lawlor and Lucy Leonard our representatives at the recent Scouting Youth Fourm.
Congratulations also to Oisin Tynan on being elected as Venture County Representative for the coming year 2017-18, and to Evan Campion on being elected as Scouts Country Representative for the second year running. If you are interested in the outdoors and like to show skills to others, why don’t you join us? Contact Delphine Lawlor on (086) 3655178 for further details.

CHRISTMAS FEAST COOKERY DEMONSTRATION by Rory O’Connell sponsored by Bord Bia – Wednesday 15th November: Please be advised that all tickets for this event have been sold out.

TEAM HOPE SHOEBOX APPEAL: The deadline has been extended for the Annual Team Hope Shoebox collection. Please note though that shoe boxes must be left into Our Lady’s Meadow Primary School on or before Tuesday, November 14th.

RURAL BROADBAND FOR CULLOHILL: Some members of Cullohill Community Council met with senior representatives from Eir Broadband recently. They are pleased to confirm that Eir high speed broadband will be available in Cullohill in the final quarter of 2018. Works will begin in October and should be finished by the end of the year.

DURROW REMINISCING GROUP: A book with 200 pages of Photographs spanning almost 100 years of Durrow and Cullohill memories including ICA, Hurling, Camogie, Soccer, School to mention but a few. Books for sale €25 each or two for €40. Please text or call Tom on (087) 2936531 or Kathleen on (086) 8263368 for further information.

THE BEGADON FORGE: The Historical Heritage Visit Booklet can now be bought in locally in Lawlor’s Gala, Daybreak and Bob’s Bar. Price €2 each or three for €5.

LIVE WEATHER DATA: Up-to-the-minute local weather conditions for Durrow are available online at www.laoisweather.com which includes day-to-day records going back to 2008.

LSCPA RESCUE – URGENT APPEAL: We desperately need Dog Fosterers, we are full beyond our limit and cannot take in anymore dogs, unless we get more fosterers. We supply everything and cover all veterinary costs. If you can help, contact our Dog coordinator on (086)4169559.

DURROW COMMUNITY ALERT: With the evenings getting shorter now as we approach the Autumn and Winter seasons, keep vigilant for suspicious activity in our community. Keep an eye on the Community Alert’s new Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/DurrowLaoisCommunityAlertfor regular updates and information from across the district.

MARKET: The Cottage Market Mountrath brings you all things home-made, home-grown and hand-crafted. Located at The Macra Hall, Main St. Mountrath – from 10am to 2pm on the first Saturday of each month. Contact Anne or Lucy on (089) 2048089 for more details.

CASTLEWOOD FARMSHOP: Organic meat, apple juice, eggs and other produce. Farmshop and tearoom open Fridays and Saturdays 10am – 5pm; Sunday 11am – 5pm. Enquiries to Dominic (087)9694070.

APPEAL: This year, 2017 is the 100th anniversary of the O’Brien’s starting their Headstone business in Durrow. If anyone has any old pictures of the Quarry on the Derry Road, Sean would be delighted to hear from you. You can email them to seanobrien1957@eircom.net or phone Sean on (086) 2656657 if you have them in paper form. Any additional details such as the names and date of the picture would be greatly appreciated.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be on sale this weekend of November 25th and 26th – weather permitting. All adverts must be booked with Angela Drennan (087) 1928522 or Mary Walsh (086) 3055157. Advertisements cost €2 per issue of Durrow Parish Newsletter and must be paid for in advance.