CONGRATULATIONS to Charlie and Cathy Curran (nee Walsh) Erkindale and Carlow on the birth of a son, Jamie Charles recently.
Congratulations to Niall Brophy, Carrigan St, Durrow and Emma O’Connell, Cullohill on their recent marriage.
Congratulations to Tanya Aylward, Patrick St, Durrow and Paddy O’Shea, Gathabawn on their recent engagement.

BEST WISHES: A new Ladies and Gents Hair and Beauty Salon has opened at Studio M, on Durrow’s Mary Street. Best Wishes is extended to Melissa O’Brien in her new venture. You can find Studio M on Facebook or phone (057) 8740721 for further enquiries.

INTERESTED IN QUILTING? If you are a quilter, any level, or interested in learning more about or taking it up as a hobby, we are going to establish a group for quilters in Laois and surrounding areas. The library in Mountmellick has kindly let us use the chambers at the front of the building to meet on Saturday September 24th at 10am. We will discuss our vision and expectations for the future. In order to plan ahead, we need as many as possible to join us in the discussion at this first meeting, therefore we ask you to spread the word. For further info please contact Ethelda Ellis at etheldaellis@gmail.com or Annette Doolan on (087) 9881046.

CULLOHILL ICA: The next meeting on Tuesday October 4th at 8.30pm will have a craft demonstration by Ann Holland. This meeting is open to everyone and all are welcome to attend.

BOOK ABOUT DURROW: Julie Thorne is a historian based in Oxfordshire, England and she has wrote a book telling the story of the Cinderella marriage in 1766 of the Second Viscount Ashbrook of CastleDurrow and an Oxfordshire fisherman’s daughter named Betty Ridge. This year is the 250th anniversary of that marriage. Betty’s elder brother William Ridge came to live in Durrow c.1772 and took charge of the Ashbrook estates until his death in 1798. Her younger brother John became a Church of Ireland minister – with two wives living, one in England and one in Ireland! His parish was at Eirke. Julie visited Durrow in 2012 to research the story, and the resulting book is called “The Water Gypsy: how a Thames fishergirl became a Viscountess”, and is available to buy from the online Amazon bookstore.

GROW – Community Mental Health Movement: The GROW Community Mental Health Movement holds regular meetings in various towns around Laois. In Portlaoise they meet every Wednesday at 7.30pm in Room 1 in the Parish Centre. The Rathdowney group meets every Wednesday at 7.30pm in 12 Cuan Bhríde, Rathdowney. The group meet every Thursday at 7pm in the Jobs Club, Oriel House, Upper Main Street, Portarlington. The Mountmellick group meetings are in recess at present and hope to resume in the coming months. Anyone who may feel anxious, isolated or depressed are invited along to join in any of the above group meetings where they can learn a practical psychology of mental health. For more details contact John on 086 803 3126, visit their website at www.grow.ie or phone their lo-call Information line on 1890 474 474.

DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES have vacancies for general operatives and also a kitchen helper for the Meals on Wheels project. Call (057) 8736870 for information.

DURROW LIBRARY: The library will be open on Tuesdays from 1.30pm until 5.30pm and 6pm until 7.30pm; Wednesdays from 10am until 1.30pm and 2pm until 5.30pm; also Saturdays from 11am until 1pm. Membership to the library is free to all and provides a range of services for the community.

NEED A LOAN??? At St. Canice’s Credit Union Durrow Branch our loan book is open and we have a loan to suit your needs. St. Canice’s issued over 600 loans in July so call in and see Mary and the team. We work hard to say yes to loans!

NNER WORLD YOGA & MEDIATION STUDIO: Offering Yoga for beginners, Yoga for men, Restorative Yoga and Sound Meditation. For more information or to book a class call Zara on (087) 1225752, Ballynevin, Cullohill.

LAOIS WEATHER: Visit www.laoisweather.com online for the latest weather data live from Durrow.

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.

DURROW TIDY TOWNS: Durrow Tidy Towns is in much need of volunteers for the coming season, if you feel that you would like to get involved in the community, improve your living environment, have your speak on how you would like your town to improve, how you would like your town to shine and how you would like your town to excel, please keep it in mind as we will be looking for volunteers over the coming months, every little bit helps and every new idea lights a spark in a community that will enhance and improve your own living community and your own living environment, Don’t be shy, have your say and get involved! We will issue further notices in the coming weeks.

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

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be on sale weekending October 8th & 9th. 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.