CONGRATULATIONS to Elma Walsh, Bishopswood, Durrow and Paul Phelan, Ballinakill, on their recent marriage.

USED CLOTHES COLLECTION IN AID OF DURROW COMMUNITY CENTRE: The Hall committee are holding a used clothes collection which will be collected from the Community Hall on May 25th. Bags of used clothes, footwear and hadbags can be left into the Hall each weekday morning from 9am to 1pm. No duvets, pillows or cushions to be included as they will not be accepted. This is an opportunity to do a clean-out of used clothes and by doing so, you will be supporting the Community Centre The National Council for the Blind – this would be very much appreciated!

DURROW DEVELOPMENT FORUM: Scarecrow Festival Appeal: The Scarecrow Volunteers Group are on the lookout for Sheets of Ply board (they don’t have to be new) and Corriboard and if anybody has any old tents, even if they are not waterproof, we would appreciate if you recycling these items to us for our scarecrow displays.

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

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

DURROW REMINISCING GROUP: A book with 200 pages of Photographs spanning almost 100 years of Durrow and Cullohill memories including ICA, Hurling, Camogie, Soccer, School to mention but a few. Books for sale €25 each or two for €40. Please text or call Tom on (087) 2936531 or Kathleen on (086) 8263368 for further information.

MONDAY CLUB SENIORS: The group are running a trip to Clonakilty in Co. Cork from Sunday, June 17th and returning on Thursday, June 21st. A price of €275 includes Bed, Breakfast and Dinner. Anyone interested is more than welcome and should phone Miriam Connolly on (057) 8736200 or Margaret Ryan on (086) 2662996 for details or to book a place.

PERSON REQUIRED: A person is required for the general upkeep of Derrywood Estate with the pruning & replacement of shrubs – no grass cutting. For more details phone (087) 7305449.

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

DURROW TIDY TOWNS: Junior Tidy Towns: Durrow Tidy Towns are very interested in starting a junior tidy towns group. We hope to identify a specified project where all the work would be carried out by the children, with the help of some of the committee. This project would be a permanent and lasting addition to the efforts of the committee so far.
Residents Groups: To try and continue the good work started during cleanup week, the committee hopes that residents’ groups can be set up in the different areas and estates around the town. These groups could be included in the organisation of the different projects planned for the year.

DURROW TOWN PLAN: The Durrow Development Forum will announce a new launch date in the coming weeks. If you require any further information on the plan, please contact Sean at (087) 9873489 or send a message to seanjdcrowley@gmail.com by email.

CULLOHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL: Any parents wishing to enrol their child in our school for September 2018, please do so as soon as possible. Enrolment forms are available in the School Office.

ATTENTION! FARMERS – St. Canice’s Credit Union has a new Agri Loan product available for farmers in the area. We have a very competitive interest rate and lots of added benefits. For more information drop into the Credit Union Branch in Durrow or call Tom on (087) 6466280.

PIPE BAND: The Durrow and District Pipe Band which is back open and running are seeking a few new members. Age is of no importance, anywhere between 9 and 90, male or female will be warmly welcomed. For more details contact John Sheeran, Bandmaster on (087) 2493749.

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.

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.

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.

SENIOR ALERT SCHEME: The Woodenbridge Community Alert are the local authorised Personal Alarm (Senior Alert Scheme) suppliers for the Durrow, Cullohill, Ballacolla and Rathdowney areas. The new programme states that (1) eligible persons (65 years and over) no longer have to be living alone; and (2) there will be free monitoring of alarm service for one year for all new participants after November 1st 2017. For more information contact Michael G Phelan (087) 2395357.

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: Please 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.

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.

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!

DAWN CHORUS: The Harps GAA Club will host a Dawn Chorus with Pat Durkin of Birdwatch Ireland on Sunday, May 20th at 5am. Meet at Dunmore Woods Car Park. Bring the kids – they will love it! Breakfast will be served on return. Donations on the morning Pieta House.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be on sale the weekend of June 1st and 2nd – 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.