CONGRATULATIONS: to Deirdre Fitzpatrick who won RSVP Bride of the Year 2016 after getting a huge 40% of the vote from almost 50,000 people in an online contest earlier this week. Well done!

DURROW AND DISTRICT PIPE BAND: The Durrow and District Pipe Band are striking up again and are looking for new members. Pipers and Drummers are needed. There is no age limit and free training will be provided. For information call John Sheeran on (087) 2493749.

VOCUM DARU: The Vocum Daru Choir under Choirmaster Ann Moylan continues it’s weekly practice choir sessions on Tuesday nights at 7pm sharp in the Presentation Centre. New members are welcome!

ENROLMENT: Scoil Tighearnach Naofa, Cullohill is now open for enrolment for September 2017. Please contact the office at (057) 8737281 for more details.

DURROW LIBRARY: Opening Times: Tuesdays – 1.30pm to 7.30pm (closed 5.30pm-6pm); Wednesdays – 10am to 5.30pm (closed 1.30pm-2pm) and Saturdays from 11am to 1pm. Computers, printers and photocopier available for public use at a small fee. Contact Lori for more details on any of these groups or events at (083) 4274714 or contact lmoriarty@laoiscoco.ie by email.

OUR LADY’S MEADOW PRIMARY SCHOOL: Parents’ Council: If you are interested in joining the Parents’ Council or would like to help out at future fundraising events, please let us know by sending a text message to (086) 8898110. All help is gratefully appreciated.

SATURDAY MARKET: Midland Cakes by Rita along with Kyle Farm Potatoes and Fresh Veg are both at the Saturday Market every Saturday morning from 8.30am to 12 noon in the CAIT Centre, beside the Catholic Church in Durrow. Rita makes celebration cakes for all occasions, cupcakes, cookies, scones, breads and standard cakes and these will be available each Saturday. For more information, please phone Rita on (085) 8423201 or Marie on (087) 7742506. Do drop in on Saturdays!

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

DURROW BRIDGE CLUB: Durrow Bridge Club continue their Bridge Club meetings every Wednesday night at 7.45pm in the Presentation Centre, Durrow.

GLASSES FOUND IN DUNMORE WOODS: Contact Kathleen on (057) 8736415 or (086) 8263368.

DURROW-CULLOHILL SENIOR CITIZENS PARTY 2017: The annual Durrow-Cullohill Senior Citizens Party will be held on Saturday 25th February in The Castle Arms Hotel. If you know of someone who would wish to attend that we are not aware of please contact Ethel Dunphy on (087) 0665752 or any member of the Community Council committee.

DURROW SCARECROW FESTIVAL: DDF will have a specialised award in this years scarecrow festival. The award which started last year saw Erkindale Drive winning with their fantastic display of Scarecrows and this year DDF will continue the Local Community Award!
A prize of €200 will be awarded to the best area for displaying scarecrows. A minimum of ten scarecrows must be on display to be considered for this award. There is no separate entry required, the judges will consider each area in their judging process. The Square, Old Esso Station and any DDF Display Scarecrows will be excluded from this judging process. Areas will be judged as follows: Cork Road and Patrick Street, Barnhill and Carrigan Street, Erkindale Drive, Swan Road, St. Fintan’s Terrace, Mill Road to include Green Display Area, Derry Road, Chapel Street and Mary Street, Sean Doire and Derry Wood.
Plans are underway already for the 2017 festival and Durrow Development Forum will be looking for volunteers. We will post notices on the newsletter and on facebook seeking some assistance. Any new ideas and any community involvement will be of great benefit to both DDF and the community as a whole – so, get your thinking caps on!!!

EMPLOYMENT: Durrow Community Services have two vacancies for the position of General Operative on their Ballacolla operations team and one position for General Operative on the Durrow operations team. For further information or to apply, please contact Patrick Quinn on (057) 8736870 or call into the FÁS Office beside Durrow Catholic Church during office hours.

WHIST: The next Whist Drive will be held on Thursday, February 23rd at 8.30pm in the Parochial Hall, Cork Rd, Durrow.

LIVE WEATHER DATA: Visit www.laoisweather.com for the latest weather data from Durrow.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL: Durrow Development Forum regret to advise that due to committee members being away they will be unable to run this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival. If there is any other organisation in the town that would be available to run same then the committee members that are available, would be happy to assist in the running of the parade. Please do get in contact with any committee member if interested.

DURROW DEVELOPMENT FORUM: This year 2017, Durrow Development Forum celebrates it’s 20th year of existence and this year we will continue to strive to better and enhance the community. We would be delighted if all households took part in the Scarecrow Festival and displayed a Scarecrow outside their home or business. We will be sending out some information coming up to the festival and hope that anybody that is interested would be happy to attend some Scarecrow Making Classes which should assist in their creations!

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.

CORE HEALTH AND FITNESS: Get fit, lose weight and feel better. With memberships from €32 per month, Personal training for less than €7 per session, at a time that suits you. Pilates, Yoga and Circuit training classes ongoing, you really have no more excuses! Feel free to come in and look around. For more information visit our website www.corehealthandfitness.ie or contact us on (087) 9302152 or (057) 8740637 or info@corehealthandfitness.ie by email.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be on sale the weekend of March 4th & 5th. 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.