CONGRATULATIONS to Sean Bourke, Cullohill and Eleanor Mortimer, Kildare, on their recent marriage.
Congratulations to Julie Foyle, Derrywood and Robert Coleman, Glasgow, Scotland, on their recent marriage.
Congratulations to Murt and Patricia Clancy, Derrywood, Durrow, on the birth of a son Tony.

THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS: To join please contact Delphine Lawlor on (086) 3655178.

QUALIFIED KEYHOLDERS FOR NEW AED AT PLAYGROUND REQUIRED: A new AED which has been financed by Durrow Development Forum is now installed at the Community Playschool and Playground area on the Kilkenny Road. At present the cabinet is locked with keys available to any qualified person by contacting DCS at (057) 8736870. It is intended to provide a “break glass” option to access the AED for emergency situations in the near future.
THE FOLLY FESTIVAL: Friday 19th and Saturday 20th July – The headline acts for this year’s Folly Festival will be announced this weekend and will join our support acts of The Finns, Alice Lynskey, Sarah Buckley, Vocalese and Curtis Walsh on stage in Cullohill Castle. Full details can be found at www.thefolly.ie Tickets cost €40 for the weekend or €25 for a day ticket Friday or Saturday night. Tickets are available online at www.thefolly.ie and will be available locally in the coming week. Please note that day tickets are limited and are only available online. As well as two nights of fantastic entertainment, we will also have a jam packed day of fun and adventure on Saturday 20th including a Mountain Walk, Adventure Race, Artisan Food Market, Dog Show, Family Fun Play Area at Nancy’s Yard and much, much more. It’s a weekend not to be missed!

BUDS AND BLOOMS LAOIS GARDEN FESTIVAL 2019: The Fourth Annual Buds and Blossoms Laois Garden Festival takes place in Spink on Sunday June 9th. This promises to be a great day out for all the family with everything from top gardening speakers and leading plant specialists, to local food producers and entertainment zone for the kids. Keep an eye on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/laoisgardenfestival/ and our newly re-launched website www.laoisgardenfestival.com for all the updates.

COMMUNITY FUNDING: Community and Voluntary groups are invited to apply for the Community Enhancement Programme to support small-scale funding for projects which range from purchasing lawnmowers and IT equipment to minor renovations to buildings. Ultimately the Programme responds to local needs and also provides funding towards larger projects. Application forms and guidelines are available by email from dce@laoiscoco.ie or by phone from (057) 8664206 or (057) 8664169.

GROW: Are you? Struggling with Anxiety or Depression? Finding Life Difficult? Isolated? GROW is here to help you. Our Mental Health Support groups are free and confidential and open to all, no referral or booking needed. Meeting Times are: Tuesdays at 10am; Wednesdays at 8pm and Fridays at 10.30am; Venue: Grow Office, Barrack Street, Kilkenny City. (CEART grp: Mental Health effects of living with Chronic Pain/Long term illness). Please contact Mary on (087) 2843424 for more information.

VEGETABLE MASTERCLASS: Want to grow your own vegetables in 2019 and would value some expert advice. GIY (Grow it Yourself), Abbeyleix is planning a series of eight Veg growing Workshops in the Abbeyleix Community Garden and Wood Fire Oven during the growing season. The workshops will be given by Champion Veg Grower Martin Lawlor (Lawlor’s Nurseries) and will be spread over the period from April to October. All enquires to Richard on (086) 8175361 or Euge on (085) 7888976.

LAOIS SPCA: We are pleased to announce that due to receiving extra funds from a Holistic Day ran by Patrick Kelly, Castletown we are running a reduced price Neutering Scheme. This is starting on 7th May and will finish when we come to the end of the money allocated for this scheme. You need to call the number below to receive a voucher. No reduced price operations will be done unless you have a voucher.

MISSING DOG: Missing red setter in Beckfield/Coolfin/Rathdowney area. Answers to name ‘Skyler’. Microchipped. If found please call Anne on (086) 8288072. Last sighted on the “New Line” road outside of Durrow on Tuesday/Wednesday evening earlier last week…

DURROW SENIOR CITIZENS: The Durrow Senior Citizen’s Monday Club are having a mid-week break to Donegal from Monday June 3rd until Friday June 7th. The price is €330 per person sharing. This includes four B&Bs and four dinners, the bus and tips. Anyone interested in joining us, please phone Miriam at (057) 8736200 or Margaret at (086) 2662996 as soon as possible as final plans are being made.

BALLYFIN ATHLETIC CLUB: The Club’s annual “Deadmans Dash” takes place next Sunday 19th May with a new revised route of 8km. A special 60th year celebration with bespoke medals for all Senior, Junior and Juvenile athletes who participate with the Johnny Ryan Memorial Cup up for grabs to the overall winner. In addition, there are great monetary prizes for top positions in each category, spot prizes and great refreshments at the presentation of prizes in the Community Hall directly after the event. Check out Ballyfin AC facebook’s page for further details.

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

DURROW BRIDGE CLUB: Durrow Bridge Club continues on Wednesdays at 7.45pm in the Presentation. All are most welcome.

DURROW LIBRARY: The library opening times have been slightly adjusted lately. Tuesdays: 1.30pm to 5pm and 6pm to 8pm; Wednesdays: 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm; Saturdays: 11am to 1pm. Membership: All library memberships and events are free of charge. Fines have recently been removed completely. Call in and discover the wealth of fiction, non fiction books and huge array of online resources your library membership includes. Contact Lmoriarty@laoiscoco.ie or (057) 8736090 or call in!

WOODLAND FAIRY WALK: There is a new Woodland Fairy Walk being developed in the Durrow area and the organisers are looking for help in getting Fairy doors or any items relevant to Fairies. These can be old doors or items not being in use for a long time. Your help in this matter would be great fully appreciated. Please contact Susan Lawlor at the Gala Supermarket if you have items that might suit.

LITTLE OAKS PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP: Little Oaks Parent and Toddler group continues to be held every Tuesday morning from 9.15am to 11am in the Library in Durrow. A good opportunity for mixing for little ones, new attendees always welcomed!

DURROW SCARECROW FESTIVAL: The Festival will celebrate its tenth year this Summer. If you are interested in getting involved, we’d be delighted to have you onboard. If you are making a Scarecrow, we have some Scarecrow Frames and heads that can be dressed up to assist you in your creation, please let us know if you require one as soon as possible. If you require a large space or a specific area for your creation (besides at your own premises, home or business), please also let us know as soon as possible so we can reserve it for you. Call (087) 9626350 or email scarecrow@durrow.ie for any queries or assistance. Scarecrow Making continues on Monday nights in Evelyn Clancy’s house, if you would like to get involved contact one of the committee. Any assistance would be appreciated.

DURROW TIDY TOWNS – Five Minute Sweep: DDF/Tidy Towns are asking all households and businesses to partake in a weekly five minute sweep outside their homes and businesses. This will help to keep the village looking clean and tidy and would be of great benefit to everybody in keeping Durrow looking beautiful. We appreciate everybody’s help in this venture.

CASTLEWOOD FARMSHOP-TEAROOM: Organic meat, eggs, apple juice and local products. Farm walk by appointment. Open Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm; Sunday 11am to 5pm. Enquiries to Dominic (087) 9694070.

NEW SOCIAL GROUP: A new Crafty Chatty Social Group is now up and running! Meet in the Durrow Library every Tuesday from 2pm until 4pm.

LIVE WEATHER DATA: Visit www.laoisweather.com online for live weather information.

ENROLMENT: Cullohill National School is now enrolling for September 2019. Please email scoiltnaofa@gmail.com or contact (057) 8737281 for an enrolment form.

CULLOHILL WALKING GROUP: Why not get out and walk in the company and safety of a walking group. Meet at Cullohill Community Centre on Mondays and Friday evenings at 7.20pm. Walks will commence at 7.30pm sharp.

RETIRED? Active Retirement Strength Class – A class aimed at the retired community that would like to improve their strength and mobility. No experience or fitness level required. The class will be supervised by a physical therapist to ensure maximum benefit. 11am in Core Health and Fitness gym every Friday. €5 per class. All queries to (057) 8740637.

ZUMBA CLASSES: Zumba Dance Class are held every Wednesday from 8pm until 9pm in Durrow’s Community Centre, regardless of age, gender or fitness level. Just grab a friend and come join us for an exciting and fun workout like no other. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t tried Zumba yet this class is definitely for you. So come and give it a try as you never know you might enjoy yourself. Class fee €5 per hour. Children go free! Hope to see you soon.

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

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!

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be on sale the weekend of June 8th and 9th 2019 – 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.