NoticeboardPRO-LIFE: A bus is being organised from Portlaoise on Saturday May 3rd to the ProLife Vigil in Dublin. The bus will leave Portlaoise at 12.30pm with the vigil from 3pm to 4pm. It is important to support this vigil for Life. For more details contact Kay Sheppard (087) 9912047.

OUR LADYS MEADOW – BAG PACKING: The Management of SuperValu Ballyragget have very kindly given us the opportunity to raise some much needed money for Our Ladys Meadow Parent’s Council by allowing us do some bag-packing on Friday 2nd May from 10am until 8pm. This is the Friday before the May Bank Holiday weekend so is a busy shopping day and a good opportunity to gather some funds. The money we raise will be used to install another ‘sound-field’ system in one of the classrooms from which all the children will benefit. If you have an hour to spare and would be willing to do some packing with us on that day, please call the Parents Council on (086) 8898110 and we’ll slot you in on our timetable. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

LITTLE OAKs PARENTS & TODDLER GROUP: Meetings are held on Tuesday mornings at the Old Boy’s School. All parents and toddlers welcome. Open from 10am to 12noon. Enquires: Teresa (086) 3914725.

BIRDWATCH IRELAND – Laois Branch Events: Tuesday 29 April – Talk on “The Irish Dipper”, by Dr. Alex Copland of BirdWatch Ireland. Parish Centre Portlaoise at 8pm sharp, then on Saturday 3 May – a trip to Monicknew in search of Dippers. Leader Alex Copland. Meet at Monicknew Forest Car Park at 8.30am. More at http://bwilaois.blogspot.ie online.

MONTESSORI SCHOOL: A new Montessori School will open at Ballyouskill hall in September 2014 for children aged 2½ to 5 years. The free pre-school year is available under ECCE scheme. Contact Laura Saunders for enrolment on (085) 1652589.

SYMPATHY: Sympathy is extended to Denis and Ursula Doheny and family, formerly of Attanagh, on the death of their mother Mary, recently.
Sympathy is extended to the Clooney Families, Kyle and Erkindale Drive, Durrow on their recent bereavement.

DURROW BRIDGE CLUB: The following are the results from the game held on April 9th. First: Joan and Dickie Dempsey; Second: Rose Talbot and Sadie Phelan; Third: Dolores and Francis Campion.

DURROW ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITION AND SALE: As part of Durrow Scarecrow Festival, which will be held from Sunday 27th July to Monday 4th August, we are reminding all local Artists and Crafts people of this year’s Exhibition & Sale takes place during the Scarecrow Festival. Now is the time to put on your thinking caps and prepare. For information please contact Kathleen Flynn on (086) 8263368 or Mary Dowling on (087) 2200199. Many thanks.

REUNION APPEAL: Family photos are urgently required for Reunion Book of Gurteen and Cullohill National Schools 1920-1982. Easter is the deadline! Please send photos to barbarawalsh@eircom.net

COMHALTAS: Laois Fleadh Ceoil, organised under the auspices of Spink CCÉ will be held at Abbeyleix over three days, 30th May to 1st June. This will be a festive occasion in the town and while it is not a replacement for the Maytime festival of other years, it will bring visitors from all parts of the county and beyond. Thanks to the Management and staff of St Mary’s Primary school all competitions will take place at the Ballyroan road venue. Opening on Friday evening with Set and Ceili Dancing, the competitions will continue on Sat and Sunday afternoons. Adult competitions will be held on Sat evening from 7.30pm onwards with the promise of some good sessions down town later.
The Marching band display and parade at 12 noon on Sunday will be a feature with some glamorous guests expected to attend. The members of Spink branch of Comhaltas are looking forward to hosting the fleadh which has not been held in Abbeyleix for decades. Competition entries to Fleadh Sec Lawrence Vesey close on 30th April, non members of Comhaltas are very welcome to compete and should contact laoisfleadh2014@gmail.com and for info visit our facebook page www.facebook.com/laoiscountyfleadh

CONGRATULATIONS: Congratulations to John and Paula Clooney, Kyle, Durrow on the birth of their daughter, Lucy-Catherine recently.
Congratulations to Owen & Gillian Casey, Derry Rd, Durrow and Dublin on the birth of a son, Emmett.

HEYWOOD COMMUNITY SCHOOL: Heywood School, Ballinakill will be holding a school fundraiser involving a Walk (5k), Run (5k) and Cycle (40k) on the May 11th commencing from the school at 11am. Registration from 10.30am. Cost: €10 adults. €5 students. Supervised parking, refreshments, changing rooms with showers provided. Enquiries to (057) 8733333. All are most welcome. Please support.

DAFFODIL DAY – THANK YOU: The recent collection in Cullohill amounted to €2,878. On behalf of the Irish Cancer Society, many thanks to all who contributed in any way, especially the collectors.

BAGATELLE are playing in The Wheel Inn on 2nd May in aid of St Vincent dePaul, Ballyragget. Tickets €15 euro. Admission by ticket only – (limited quantity) – available from The Wheel Inn.

VOLUNTEERS FOR SCARECROW FESTIVAL: Durrow Development Forum invite you to come on board for the 2014 Scarecrow Festival. We are looking for people who would like the get involved in the festival – new input and ideas are what keep a festival alive and flourishing. If you are in doubt but considering that you might like to get involved, please do! Do not worry that it will take all of your time, you would not be expected to attend every meeting. Please contact Evelyn on (087) 9194428.

ST VINCENT de PAUL: Durrow – If you wish to contact your local St Vincent de Paul Society, please phone (087) 6060740 in confidence. Cullohill – If you know of anyone whom you feel needs help please contact any member of the committee and it will be handled discreetly. The contact numbers are (086) 6090378 or (087) 1310650.

DURROW COMMUNITY CENTRE – Halls for Hire: Available for Chrildrens Parties, Sports Activities etc… also – meeting room available for committee meetings etc… (086) 3055157.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be on sale next weekend – May 10th and 11th. NOTICE: The deadline for inclusion of notes is next Thursday, May 8th at 7pm to info@durrow.ie by email – with all adverts to Mary Walsh or Angela Drennan. Phone 057 8736327.