DURROW TIDY TOWNS: Clean Up Laois Week is being held from 7th to 11th April and Durrow Tidy Towns ask all residents of Durrow to make a special effort during that week to pick litter in your area. Our next Tidy Towns committee meeting will be held on Thursday 27th March at 8.00pm in the Small Hall beside the church. All members please attend.

DURROW ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITION AND SALE: As part of Durrow Scarecrow Festival, which will be held from Sunday 27th July to Monday 4th August, we are reminding all local Artists and Crafts people of this year’s Exhibition & Sale takes place during the Scarecrow Festival. Now is the time to put on your thinking caps and prepare. For information please contact Kathleen Flynn on (086) 8263368 or Mary Dowling on (087) 2200199. Many thanks.

IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY: The Irish Georgian Society has announced details of a new Conservation grant scheme for owners of historic properties. Details are at http://www.igs.ie online. Closing date for expressions of interest is 28th March 2014.

CONGRATULATIONS to John Joe and Samantha (nee. Vaugh) Ferry, Tinweir, Durrow and Dublin on the birth of their twin boys, Darragh and Oran.

Congratulations to George O’Brien, Mill Rd, Durrow and Paula O’Dwyer, Kilkenny on their recent engagement.
Congratulations to Durrow High Nelly Club on being invited to, and taking part in the Dublin City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. They have done the town proud! Well done to all involved.

MINI-MARATHON: Entries are now open for the Ladies Mini-Marathon on June Bank holiday weekend and anyone from the Durrow Area need to get their entry forms as soon as possible as numbers are limited to a first come, first served basis. For more information contact Susan in Lawlor’s Gala.

OUR LADYS MEADOW SCHOOL: Payback Day! Due to school closure on Thursday 13th February, the school will not close for Easter holidays until Monday, 14th April.

LAOIS HERITAGE NEWS: Irish Wildlife Trust Spring Walk – Irish Wildlife Trust Laois/Offaly Branch will host a “Spring Walk” on Sunday March 30th at 10am. Meeting at Glenbarrow carpark, Rosenallis, Co Laois. Plan to walk the newly improved “waterfall loop” and look for signs of spring. All welcome and family friendly. Bring good footwear and rain coats. Event free but donation to Irish Wildlife Trust Laois/Offaly Branch welcome. For more information contact iwtlaoisoffaly@gmail.com by email.

Laois Branch BirdWatch Ireland Dipper Survey – The Laois Branch of BirdWatch Ireland is organising a survey of dippers using bridges around the county and they need volunteer surveyors! For information or to volunteer, contact John Maher birdwatchlaois@gmail.com on email.

COOK SCHOOL: Cookery camp will be held in Cullohill Community Centre over the Easter holidays for aspiring chefs aged 8 to 12. Monday 14th to Wednesday 16th and Tuesday 22nd to Thursday 24th. Have fun, practice your cooking and eat nice food too! Contact: Caitriona (087) 7808711.

SYMPATHY: Sympathy is extended to the Clooney Family, Erkindale Drive and The Swan, Durrow on their recent bereavement.
Sympathy is extended to the Woods Family, Carrigan St, Durrow on their recent bereavement.
Sympathy is extended to the Duggan Family, Lakefield, Dereen, Durrow on their recent bereavement.

DURROW REMINISCING GROUP: Many thanks to all of you who have purchased the ‘Durrow and Cullahill Gatherings 2013’ book. To date 131 books have been sold. We need to sell 225 to break even before we can make donations to the three beneficiaries: Cullahill Handball Club, Our Lady’s Meadow PS and St. Fintans Chuch Restoration Fund. Books are available in Cullahill PO, Lawlors Newsagents and Daybreak Durrow and Easons Portlaoise. Contact: Tom (087) 2936531.

DURROW FADO WRITERS GROUP: This new group which have formed recently are currently writing a play based on a true local love story. They meet on a weekly basis and their ambition is to have the play performed outdoors later in the year. It is a very exciting and daunting project and if anyone who would like to help or get involved in any capacity, it would be greatly appreciated. To help with the initial set up expenses the group are holding a table quiz in Dec’s Bar on Friday next March 28th at 9.30pm. Please come along and support.

REUNION APPEAL: Family photos are urgently required for Reunion Book of Gurteen and Cullohill National Schools 1920-1982. Easter is the deadline! Please send photos to barbarawalsh@eircom.net

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be on sale weekending April 5th and 6th. NOTICE: The deadline for inclusion of notes is Thursday, April 3rd at 7pm to info@durrow.ie by email.