CONGRATULATIONS to Lorraine Lawlor, Durrow and Pat Mason, Limerick on their recent engagement.
Congratulations to Gerard Alley Junior, The Square, Durrow and Eimear Moore, Galway on their recent marriage.

STRICTLY COME DANCING: Bagatelle in Concert: As part of their Final Year Tour, well known group Bagatelle will appear at The Castle Arms Hotel on Friday 23rd October from 9pm ‘till midnight. The concert is for Trish and Ronnie who are taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. Tickets, €20 each, are available from The Castle Arms Hotel, Lawlors Gala and The Copper Kettle or by contacting Trish directly on (086) 8779014. A great night is assured. Your support would be most appreciated.

Monster Raffle: Claire Walsh and Rory Doyle are holding a monster raffle as part of their Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser. Tickets €5 each. First Prize: Calf (or cash value); Second Prize: Weekend Break for Two; Third: Monster Hamper. Please Support. Claire (087) 9800007. Rory (086) 1591903.

SIX WEEK SUICIDE GRIEF AWARENESS PROGRAMME: Kilkenny Bereavement Group are hosting a six week programme (1.5hrs per week) that could support you, your family and friends. The programme will consider the following themes: A Map of Grief and Grief Responses; The Stages and Models of Grief; Dealing with the Question “Why?” and other Particular Difficulites; How to find and accept Support including the Needs of Children; Memories – Continuing Bonds; Resilience and Self Care. This programme will be held in Villa Maria, Talbotsinch, Freshford Rd, Kilkenny City at 8pm on the following Tuesdays – September 29th, October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th and November 3rd. Enquiries to Kilkenny Bereavement Support on (056) 7756538.

DURROW TEXT ALERT: The committee of Durrow Text Alert group are continuing to seek subscribers to the service prior to it’s launch in the near future. Most households have completed forms and paid the annual membership fee already, however a few households may have been missed when the door-to-door call was made earlier in the summer. If you wish to be included in the Text Alert system, please contact Noeleen Dunphy (087) 9636460 or Mick Dunphy on (087) 7573099 as soon as possible.

PLAYGROUP: Little Oaks Parent and Toddler Playgroup will be starting again on Tuesday 8th September meeting at 10am to 12pm in the Presentation Centre. All welcome. Enquiries: Teresa (086) 3914725.

DURROW REMINISCING GROUP: A big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who bought the reminiscing photograph book “Durrow & Cullohill Gatherings” The book is now on sale in Our Lady’s Meadow School and all funds raised will go to the School Building Fund. Phone: 057 8736329 during school hours.

DUNMORE COMMUNITY ALERT – BARN DANCE: Get on yer dancin’ boots for the Big Barn Dance which will be held on Saturday, 26th September from 8pm ’till the cows come home at Andy Phelan’s Farm, Kyle. (Gates close at 10pm). Admission €10 on the gate. A raffle will be held on the night. Food served. Free parking. BYOB and glasses. Please support.

MUSIC CLASSES: Adult Music classes will be held in Heritage House, Abbeyleix every Thursday night. Beginners welcome. Flute, whistle, guitar, banjo taught. Good craic to be had by all the participants. The Tutor is highly qualified and experienced. Contact us via email on ccespink@gmail.com or directly to Heritage House or by phone on (086) 6071258.

CIRCUIT TRAINING: Circuit Training will be held every Wednesday at 7.30pm in the CYMS Hall, Durrow and Bootcamp on Tuesdays at 8pm (starting the 28th of September) in Community Hall in Cullahill. €50 for eight weeks or €40 for members of Core Health & Fitness. For further info on these classes or others please contact Ross on (087) 9302152 or visit www.corehealthandfitness.ie online.

CULLOHILL ICA: The next meeting of Cullohill ICA will be held on Tuesday 6th October at 8pm in the Community Centre, Cullohill.

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.

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!

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

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.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR: A Christmas Craft Fair will take place in the Castle Arms Hotel, Durrow on Saturday, 7th November from 11am to 6pm and will feature Crafts people from all over counties Laois and Kilkenny who will present their unique Christmas gifts at affordable prices. If you wish to have a table at this event – please contact Mary on (087) 2200199 or durrowcraftfairs@gmail.com by email

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.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next Durrow Parish Newsletter will be on sale weekending October 10th/11th. NOTICE: The deadline for inclusion of notes is Thursday, October 8th at 7pm to info@durrow.ie and ALL ADVERTS MUST BE BOOKED WITH ANGELA DRENNAN (087) 1928522 OR MARY WALSH (086) 3055157.