CONGRATULATIONS to CastleDurrow Hotel on being voted 7th best hotel in Ireland by TripAdvisor!
Congratulations also to Bernard O’Shea who is doing well on RTE’s Dancing with the Stars!
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.
PILATES: The new Pilates classes start in Cullohill Community Centre on January 30th and continue on Tuesdays from 1.30pm to 2.30pm until March 13th – please note change of time from previous years.
OUR LADY’S MEADOW SCHOOL: Enrolment is now open for Our Lady’s Meadow Primary School, Durrow for the new year commencing September 2018. If you have not received an enrolment form from us and want to enrol your child with us please contact the school at (057) 8736329 or send an email to: ourladysmeadowschool@gmail.com as soon as possible. The closing date for return of completed enrolment forms is 5th February 2018.
ST VINCENT de PAUL DURROW: Contact us, in strict confidence on (087) 1917813 (New Number).
LIONS AFC: Club togs and socks are now available through each team manager – €10 for both, which is great value!
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.
CONSERVATION GRANTS: The closing date for the two grant schemes for conservation of protected structures is coming up on 31st January. Full details of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Structures at Risk Fund are at the Laois County Council website: www.laois.ie – If you have any queries about the schemes or need assistance with an application, please do contact us on (057) 8664000.
ART CLASSES: Adult Art Classes with a qualified Art Teacher continue at Durrow Library. Cost: €12 Euros per session (for drop in – drop out option). All art materials are provided. All levels are accommodated including absolute beginners. For more information please contact Marie on (086) 3136028 or to book a place.
PRESENTATION CENTRE: The Presentation Centre beside the Catholic Church is available for hire. For further information please contact Angela on (087) 1928522.
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.
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.
BE WINTER READY: Information on Be Winter-Ready and tips on how to be prepared for bad weather this winter is available at www.laois.ie or www.winterready.ie/en online. Leaflets are also available from the Laois County Council offices or from Pamela Tynan, Laois PPN – eMail: ptynan@laoiscoco.ie or phone: (057) 8665661 or 8664060.
LaoisWeather: Live weather data from Durrow is available online at www.laoisweather.com which tracks temperatures, rainfall amounts, wind-speeds and much more.
DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES: Current Vacancies: Durrow Community Services are looking to recruit a Groundskeeper for the Lions Soccer Club Durrow and another Groundskeeper at The Harps GAA Club Durrow. For further information on these positions or to apply please contact (057) 8736870 during office hours on any weekday.
CULLOHILL WALKING CLUB: Why not stay active this new year 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 LIBRARY NEWS: Healthy Ireland Initiative: Healthy Ireland is a new libraries initiative alongside the HSE. This aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people through online resources and reading material. As part of this initiative some events will take place at the library in the next few months. If anyone is interested in finding out more, please call in.
Genealogy Course: We’re once again looking for names of people interested in a short Genealogy course. If anyone is interested please get in touch – see below for details.
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.
LSCPA RESCUE – URGENT APPEAL: We desperately need Dog Fosterers, we are full beyond our limit and cannot take in anymore dogs, unless we get more fosterers. We supply everything and cover all veterinary costs. If you can help, contact our Dog coordinator on (086)4169559.
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.
NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be on sale the weekend of February 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.