CONGRATULATIONS to Mrs Kathleen Bolger, Cannonswood, Cullohill, who celebrated her 100th Birthday recently.

A WORD OF THANKS: Kathleen Bolger, Cullohill would like to thank everyone in the Parish for the wonderful outpouring of good will on reaching her 100th Birthday, the community who     organised the celebration in the hall and Fr. McGree for celebrating Mass.

LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOL ENROLMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR 2016/7: Enrolment in Our Lady’s Meadow Primary School for September 2016 is now open. Enrolment forms are    available from the School Office each school day between 9am and 3pm or by telephone the Office at (057) 8736329. Please return completed forms to the school on or before January 28th 2016.
Scoil Tighearnach Naofa, Cullohill Enrolment for 2016 is now open. Please contact school  office for further information. Telephone: (057) 8737281. Office hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9.15am until 1.15pm.

BRIDGE CLUB: Durrow Bridge Club continues in the Presentation Centre every week on Wednesdays. The results for January 13th are as follows: First – Marie Foley and Jack Murphy; Second – Marjorie McGeough and Kathleen Broderick. Well done to all! New members welcome.

DURROW COMMUNITY CENTRE: The Community Centre in Durrow is available for bookings to hold parties or any sports activities etc… Contact: Mary Walsh (086) 3055157.

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

MUSIC CLASSES: Adult music classes resumed on Thursday 7th January in the Heritage House, Abbeyleix. This term runs for six weeks until 11th February and are still accepting new participants. Beginner classes (on whistle, banjo, fiddle) run from 7.30pm to 8.30pm, with    Intermediate/Advanced classes (all instruments) running from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Classes are €10 per night – these are payable in advance on the first night. If you are aware of anyone else who is interested in these classes please invite them along! Look forward to seeing you there.

DURROW COMMUNITY TEXT ALERT: The Durrow Community Text Alert Service went live just prior to Christmas 2015. There are almost 150 members in Durrow registered to this new service. A test Text was sent out to all members at that time with the Text Alert Mobile Phone Number. Any person who registered but who DID NOT receive this test Text, please call or text either of the following numbers: (087) 6927409 or (087) 2797214.
The Durrow Community Text Alert Committee is currently arranging to put in place Text Alert Signs on all roads leading into Durrow and in each housing estate.

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE:  We would like to remind you all that an AED Defibrillator is located on the side-wall of Cullohill Community Centre. Pat Barnaville (086 8304420) also carries around an AED in his car at all times. An AED is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm and can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm. In the event of a person collapsing and becoming unresponsive: Call 999 (landline) or 112 (mobile); Call any one of our local Defibrillator Responders – their numbers can be found in the           Defibrillator box and start CPR immediately while awaiting responder and emergency service.

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE SQUASH COURT: We hope to commence a Squash League/Tournament in the very near future and are looking for players!!! All levels of experience are welcome as everyone will play against opponents of their own standard. Squash is a game that can be enjoyed by all – it is great fun and great exercise. If you are interested, please contact any member of the Cullohill Community Centre Committee.

GRANTS FOR 2016: Laois County Council Arts Office invites applications for the following awards and opportunities to individuals/groups and organisations from County Laois: Arts Act Grant 2016, Tyrone Gutherie Residency Bursary Awards 2016, Artist in School Scheme 2016 and Culture Night 2016. For any further information on these grants please contact: The Arts Office, Laois County Council, Áras an   Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois. Tel: (057) 8664033/13 or email: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie or visit www.laois.ie online. The closing date for all of the above grants is 18th February, 2016.

ARTHRITIS IRELAND LAOIS BRANCH: Our group will still meet socially each Wednesday evening at 7pm for the cuppa and a chat at O’Loughlins Hotel, Main St, Portlaoise. All welcome! We are also      planning some other activities for 2016 to include a six week course of “Gentle Zumba Classes”        commencing on January 26th.  The Local Branch can be contacted by phone on (089) 2525344.

CLOTHES COLLECTION POINT: Any old or unwanted clothes or fabric can be left in the porch of the Cullohill Community Centre. All collections are in aid of Cullohill Handball Club.

SATURDAY MARKET: Durrow Saturday market is open every Saturday from 9am to 12.30pm in the Computer Centre beside the RC Church on the Kilkenny Rd. Potato’s and Fresh Veg are available, to book your favourites please ring Marie on (087) 7742506. Home Baking from Bernie Brennan is also available with a selection of fresh breads, scones, tarts and cakes. You can also book cakes for parties etc…

NEXT DURROW PARISH NEWSLETTER: The deadline for inclusion of notes for the next issue is Thursday, February 18th at 7pm to info@durrow.ie and ALL ADVERTS MUST BE BOOKED WITH ANGELA DRENNAN (087) 1928522 OR MARY WALSH (086) 3055157.