ST PATRICK’S DAY 2018: St. Patrick’s Day: The St. Patrick’s Day festival will be held on Saturday, 17th March when we will have a parade. We ask all businesses, clubs and organisations to please get involved. There will be a Food and Craft Fair on the green along with Bouncy Castles, Dancing and Mini-GAA matches. If anybody would like to get involved and assist – please do contact any DDF member as we would be delighted with new ideas and assistance to help make this day a chance to catch up and meet with family and friends!

LOCAL WEATHER: For up-to-the-minute weather data from Durrow, please visit www.laoisweather.com

DURROW LIBRARY NEWS: Laois Libraries Lego Studios: This new project is aimed at young people between the ages of 10 to 14. If you are interested in film making, lego, drama, creative writing or art please register your interest in the project by email to lllanimationstudios@gmail.com or call into Durrow library. Places will be limited for this exciting new project!
Membership: Library membership is free and your library card now allows you access to all libraries in Ireland. Access to free ebooks, audiobooks, online magazines and online learning courses are also part of your membership. Call in if you want to find out more about Borrowbox or Universal Classes.
Opening Hours: The Library is open on Tuesdays from 1.30pm to 5.30pm and 6pm to 7.30pm; on Wednesdays from 10am to 1.30pm and 2pm to 5.30pm; and on Saturdays from 11am to 1pm. For more information on any of the above contact Lmoriarty@laoiscoco.ie by email or phone (057) 8736090.

ZUMBA CLASSES: Zumba Classes will commence in Durrow Community Centre on Thursday 22nd March from 8pm until 9pm continuing every Thursday thereafter. Contact Karen Ivanova by email to karen.ivanova1@gmail.com for more information.

ST VINCENT de PAUL DURROW: Contact us, in strict confidence on (087) 1917813 (New Number).

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN: If anyone was unable to attend the last meeting but would like to contribute please contact Marian on (086) 8390266. The next meeting will be advertised in due course – so keep an eye out in local newsletters, newspapers and online.

COMMUNITY GRANT SCHEME 2018: Applications for the Community Grant Scheme are now open (closing date: Friday, March 2nd at 12 noon). Full details and an application form can be downloaded from: www.laois.ie/departments/environment/community-initiatives/environment-grants/#1 online.

LOCAL ENTERPRISE WEEK 2018: Local Enterprise Week will take place this year from March 4th to 9th. During the week, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, seminars, advice clinics and one-to-one mentoring on every aspect of business including business planning, trading online, marketing, digital marketing and a blogging clinic by well known blogger Amanda Webb, Spiderworking. Many of the events already available to book at https://www.localenterprise.ie/Laois/Training-Events/Online-Bookings online.

REBECCA STORM CONCERT: A concert featuring St. Fergal’s College Choir, Rathdowney will take place on Friday 23rd March at 7.30pm in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Rathdowney. Over the past 40 years Rebecca has established herself as one of the most popular leading ladies in musical theatre, playing demanding roles in Evita, Les Miserables, Chess, Aspect of Love, Blood Brothers etc… The school choir will perform a number of songs with Rebecca on the night. Tickets are now on sale from the Parish Office in Rathdowney – Phone (050) 546282 – opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 10am until 2pm. Also, if anyone would like tickets ordered and picked up please contact Vicky Murphy on (086) 1000230.

TABLE QUIZ: Raheen Community Alert will hold a Table Quiz on Friday 2nd March in Eamon An Chnoic’s, Raheen at 9pm. A table of four will cost €40. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP: The group meets 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 more information contact (086) 3914725.

FAMILY DAY IN BALLACOLLA: A Family Fun Day will be held in Ballacolla Community Hall on Saturday next, 3rd March commencing at 2pm. Come along and have lots of fun on bouncy castles and obstacle courses. See you all there!

SET DANCING: Set Dancing classes are held on Monday evenings at 8.30pm in The Castle Arms Hotel. All are most welcome. For more information please contact Declan Doocey on (087) 2168680.

DURROW TIDY TOWNS: Durrow Tidy Towns: The Tidy towns committee are very active in Durrow with the help of our local CE Scheme, a lot of improvement have been made and we would ask every resident and business to keep the outside of their homes and premises neat and tidy. Please keep an eye out on our Facebook page for updates and work nights over the coming months. If any parent or child would be interested in assisting with a Junior Tidy Towns committee, please let us know.

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE: The Progressive 25 Card Games are held in the hall every Sunday night at 8.30pm sharp followed by tea and sandwiches. Please support!

PILATES: The new Pilates classes in Cullohill Community Centre continue on Tuesdays from 1.30pm to 2.30pm until March 13th.

DURROW MEALS ON WHEELS SERVICE: New volunteers are always welcome, it can be for one day at a time or more. If you would like to help with this worthy service you can do so by contacting Marie Clooney on (087) 7742506 or Mary Walsh at (086) 3055157.

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

DEFRIBILLATOR IN GURTEEN – CULLOHILL: The Leinster Sports Clinic have purchased a defibrillator and is on site at the clinic in the case of an emergency in Gurteen or the surrounding local rural area. Please let everyone know to help raise awareness.

DEFIBRILLATORS IN DURROW: Durrow now has three defibrillators across the town with one in Our Lady’s Meadow National School, one outside on the wall between Lawlor’s Gala and Sheppard’s Auctioneers and one at the reception in the Castle Arms Hotel.

PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP: The 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.

CULLOHILL WALKING CLUB: 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 are most welcome.

DURROW COMMUNITY ALERT: With the evenings dark during the Winter season, keep vigilant for suspicious activity in our community. Keep an eye on the Community Alert’s new Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/DurrowLaoisCommunityAlert for regular updates and information from across the district.

BEGINNERS LADIES GOLF PROGRAMME: Rathdowney Golf Club are running a series of group golf lessons for beginners during the month of March. Cost: €50 (four lessons). For further information contact Noelian on (087) 1678148 or Mary on (087) 9859078.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be on sale the weekend of March 10th and 11th – 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.