CONGRATULATIONS to Bernard Ryan, Ballyboodin, Ballacolla and Louise Harrinton, Eyeries, Castletown-Bere, Co. Cork on their recent marriage.

BALLINAKILL SWIMMING POOL: The outdoor heated pool is open for the remainder of the summer during fine weather. For more information please contact (089) 4413150 to check if the pool is open on any particular day before travelling!

DURROW TIDY TOWNS: The committee wish to remind residents to continue to keep your own areas swept and litter free, also to help with the watering of flower beds, hanging bags etc… that are in your area over the summer months. A special effort is needed to have Durrow looking its best for the Scarecrow Festival when a large number of tourists will visit our town. We get so many good comments from visitors to the town – it’s very encouraging. So keep up the good work, your efforts are very much appreciated by the Tidy Towns committee, local residents and visitors alike.

ARTS & CRAFTS: The Arts & Crafts Exhibition taking place during the upcoming Scarecrow Festival are looking for volunteers. If you have a couple of hours free during the day (11am to 6pm) from July 26th to August 3rd please phone or text (086) 8263368 and we will try to accommodate you with hours that may suit you on our rota. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

LAOIS WALKS FESTIVAL: Get your walking boots on for this year’s Laois Walks Festival. Local events continue with: Ballacolla on July 20th, Cullohill Mountain on July 24th, Abbeyleix Bog on July 28th and finishing with the Durrow Leafy Loops on July 31st. So plenty to choose from! Full details of all walks in Laois are available at www.fb.com/LaoisWalksFestival online.

HOME BAKING AND CAKE SALE: The Harps Camogie club are holding a Cake/Homebaking Sale in Durrow on Thursday 30th July in aid of Strictly Come Dancing and Harps Camogie. A delicious selection of cakes and homebaking will be available from 6.30pm at our stand located near the bridge. Please come and support and treat yourselves to some of our selection of goodies.

SCARECROW FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION: A Senior competition for the Joe Brophy Memorial Cup and a Juvenile Competition for the Durrow Development Forum Trophy. Juvenile age up to 16 years old. Entry fees: Senior €5 and Juvenile €3. Print Size for both competitions: From standard size up to maximum of 12″ X 10″. Prints can be mounted, but not necessary. Limit of four photographs per entry. All entries to be presented in an envelope with name of entrant, address and telephone number written on the envelope. Entry dates: Friday 24th and Saturday 25th July from 2.30pm to 4.30pm both days at Durrow Community Centre. Winning prints announced and Prizes awarded at 5pm on Sunday, 2nd August. For further information please contact: Andrew Walsh Senior on (086) 3791904. Best of Luck to all enterants!

ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITION & SALE: Durrow Scarecrow Arts’n’Crafts Exhibition & Sale will take place from 26th July to 3rd August in Durrow Community Centre. Space is limited, therefore please let organisers know soon as possible if you intend to exhibit this year. A short Artist Statement is required for publicity purposes. Further information available directly from Mary Dowling at (087) 2200199 or to marydowling09@gmail.com by email.

COMHALTAS: Spink branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will be hosting their summer seisiun series in Heritage House, Abbeyleix on Wednesdays, between 8pm and 10pm, starting 1st July and running until 26th August. There are 2 weeks when it will not take place – 22nd July and 12th August. The format of the evening includes a mixture of music, song, dance and story telling – anyone who is there who would like to perform will get the opportunity – either individually or in a group. There is no charge for the evening, but donations are accepted to cover costs. Please encourage neighbours, friends, visitors, relations to come along. This is a very enjoyable evening, and the more people that we have at it each evening, the better it is! Highlights of the series will go up on Facebook each week, and we hope to have Irish TV present at one of the sessions.

THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS: Please Support the Scouts: We would ask that all the parents of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts to please support the Durrow Scouts in their fundraising by buying the newsletter either at the Church gate or in Tommy Kenna Family Butchers on The Square. Also to purchase a Parish Lotto ticket either in The Castle Arms Hotel, The Post Office or Tom Woods shop. Thank you for your continued support.

DURROW COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Senior Citizens Annual Outing – Plans for this year’s outing are in progress and so far it looks like we will visit Newbridge Silverwear, Powerscourt House and Gardens and on to Enniskerry. A more detailed plan will be announced in the near future.

STRICTLY COME DANCING: Durrow Development Forum and The Harps GAA are delighted to be bringing Strictly Come Dancing to Durrow on the 14th November. Our dancing couples are all working hard organising their fundraising events and would be very grateful for your support. A summer of great fun nights out is definitely ahead! Dancing tuition will start at the end of August so there is still plenty of time to get involved. We would be delighted to welcome another few dancing couples on board. If you are interested please call Marian on (086) 8390266 or marian@durrow.ie by email.

SCHOOL BUS SERVICE: Commencing this September there will be a new bus service from Durrow to Colaiste Mhuire, Johnstown for students. All will be catered for. For more information please contact M&A Coaches on (056) 8833454.

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 now available with a selection of fresh breads, scones, tarts and cakes. You can also book cakes for parties etc… with Bernie. Do come along, great value on offer!

BALLINAKILL BINGO: Monday night in the hall on The Square at 8.30pm and there is €1,000 in prize money every week. We also run a raffle. Books are at €7.50 for a single book with sheets and €15 for a double book with double sheets. There is also a bus service running from Durrow. For more information on pick up times please contact Dick on (086) 8402139.

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

NEVEN MAGUIRE COOKERY DEMONSTRATION: Mountmellick Arts Centre will host a Neven Maguire Cookery Demonstration on Wednesday 22nd July at 8pm. Tickets at €20 each are available at O’Horain’s and O’Gorman’s shops Mountmellick and Mulhall’s Supervalu Portlaoise. Food Fair 4pm to 8pm. Enquiries to Mary, Mountmellick Heritage Society on (083) 8435921.

REMINISCING GROUP: Anyone wishing to purchase a Durrow/Cullohill Reminiscing Book please call to Our Ladys Meadow during school hours, or contact Tom on (087) 2936531 / Kathleen on (086) 8263368.

DURROW BEFRIENDING GROUP: The aim of the Group is to lessen social isolation and enhance the quality of life. If you are feeling isolated, lonely and need a friend to talk to please contact Pat on (086) 8096693. This service is totally confidential and we will not in any way interfere with your lifestyle, or get in the way of you doing the things you have to do every day. Your visitor will drop in just for a friendly chat, to talk about the things happening in your area, things hitting the national headlines, or anything else you would like to chat about.
The relationship is a voluntary one on both sides. The Befriender is there to provide some form of regular, practical assistance and support. If you feel we can be of help to you or would like to find out more about this service do not hesitate to contact us on the above phone number.

DURROW WEATHER STATION: Visit www.laoisweather.com for the latest conditions and forecasts.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next Durrow Parish Newsletter will be on sale weekending August 8th/9th. NOTICE: The deadline for inclusion of notes is Thursday, August 6th at 7pm to info@durrow.ie and ALL ADVERTS MUST BE BOOKED WITH ANGELA DRENNAN (087) 1928522 OR MARY WALSH (086) 3055157.