CONGRATULATIONS: to Veronica Boyhan and Paul Ryan, Seandoire, Durrow on the birth of their daughter Rosie recently.
Congratulations to Mary Ryan who was honoured for twenty years of volunteerism with Laois Riding for the Disabled recently.
Congratulations to Padraig O’Reachtagain, a native of Cullohill, on being named as “Dentist of the Year” the “compassionate treatment” he provided to the woman who was injured in an incident of domestic violence. Padraig opened his practice on a Saturday morning to treat the lady and gave her all the help she needed to get her family into a safe environment. Padraig is son of Jim and Nora Ratigan, Cullohill and his dental practice is in Roscrea.

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.

DURROW TIDY TOWNS: Appeal: We encourage everybody to sweep up leaves off footpaths from outside their houses and premises as they can become quite a slip hazard when wet.

DURROW FIRE AND RESCUE: Do you need a smoke alarm? Or do you know of someone who does, in the Durrow, Cullohill or Ballacolla areas? Every home should have a minimum of two of the life saving devices! Durrow Fire and Rescue will provide and install smoke alarms for anyone that needs them, and there is no charge for this service. Simply contact and Durrow Fire and Rescue member if you are interested, or if you know of a friend or a neighbour that needs to have the devices installed.

LAOIS KAYAK AND CANOE CLUB: Kayaking trips are now at weekends there are some pool sessions each month which will be advertised on our Facebook Club Members Group with booking through the Eventbrite online system. Club members interested in partaking in the Munster Polo League should sign up on Eventbrite as soon as possible so that we can confirm numbers before offering unfilled places to adjoining clubs.
The Club Annual St. Stephen’s Day Paddle will take place on December 26th, meeting at the club house for 10.30am with your own equipment or if you need club equipment, this must be booked through Eventbrite and meet at the club house for 10am. A shuttle bus will drop kayakers off at the starting point. This event is open to club members and all Canoeing Ireland clubs. Food will be served in Bob’s bar after the paddle. All are welcome to attend. Further club details on www.laoiskayak.com or visit facebook.com/laoiskayak or alternatively contact: Brian Ogilvie by email to info@laoiskayak.com or call (086) 1739029.

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.

WEATHER: Visit www.laoisweather.com for up-to-the-minute weather data from Durrow.

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!

BE SAFE – BE SEEN: With evenings getting darker much earlier, and fewer 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

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be on sale the weekend of January 11th and 12th 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.