TIDY TOWNS: Our WOW, Work on Wednesday, evenings will be starting back in April, if you can give an hour on a Wednesday evening to plant, weed, sweep or litter pick on a Wednesday or any evening or week-end to suit yourself and to help keep Durrow Looking beautiful, please get in contact on our Tidy Towns Facebook or DurrowLaois Instagram account. If you wish to be added to our Tidy Towns Team to get notifications on when we are meeting for different projects, please text – add me to ‘tidy towns team’ on 086 365 7833. Easter Cake Sale supporting Tidy Towns work on Easter Saturday at 8.00pm and Easter Sunday at 11.00am on the CES Office beside the ROI Church on Kilkenny Road, Cake Donations can be dropped in prior to church services. Your support would be greatly appreciated for this fundraising. Remember All Calories are on Holidays for Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday!
DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES: Durrow Community Services have vacancies for Environmental Workers, Office Administrator, Catering Assistant and Groundskeeper; location of positions in Durrow, Ballacolla and Cullohill. Please contact Astrid Andersson on andersson@durrowcs.com or call: 057 8736870.
THE FOLLY FESTIVAL 2023: Early Bird Tickets are now sold out online but we would like to offer locals an opportunity to buy tickets at the early bird price of €60 this Sunday 2nd and Sunday 8th between 10.30am and 1 pm in Cullohill Village alongside Emma’s Baking (cash sale only). This is your last chance to get a 25% discount for Folly 2023 www.thefolly.ie online for all the details.
LIVING WELL EXPO: The “Living Well” Expo takes place on Thurs 13th April, from 4 to 8pm in Portlaoise College, Mountrath Road Portlaoise, which will be opened by Anna Mai McHugh, who needs no introduction. This event is a joint collaboration between Age Friendly Laois & Healthy Laois, which aims to showcase the supports available to all ages in Co Laois to Live Well. There will be a main expo area, with 70 exhibitors in total attending on the day, including sports and community groups, health services and technology providers who offer products to enable people to live independently for longer. There will be presentations from the team at Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, which is to be rolled out nationally in support of aging at home. There will be talks by Teac Tom, Meals on Wheels Network, Garda Crime Prevention, Fire & Rescue Service and more. Along with the main arena, there will be 4 other areas offering health screening, demos on safety technology in the home- personal alarms , GPS devices and more. Edufit will have their own area with information and talks on Perimenopause Menopause and Post Menopause and healthy cooking demos will be provided by the LOETB and our own Coalition Chefs. The above is just a taste of what is happening on the day. To find out more, or to pre register groups, call Emma on 0860665215 (eoconnor@laoiscoco.ie).
DURROW BRIDGE CLUB NEWS: Durrow Bridge Club have resumed their Bridge nights in the Castle Arms Hotel every Wednesday night at 7.30pm. All are most welcome.
DURROW POST OFFICE: We here at Durrow Post Office do both AIB and Bank of Ireland Lodgements and withdrawals. We provide a quick and professional service for all your personal and business banking. We are here to help you and make banking easier.
AIB CUSTOMERS – You can do * Cash lodgements with bank debit card or lodgement slips; * Cash withdrawals with bank debit card; * Cheque lodgements with a personalised lodgement slip.
BANK OF IRELAND CUSTOMERS – You can do * Cash lodgements with bank debit card or lodgement slips; * Cash withdrawals with bank debit card; * Cheque lodgements with a personalised lodgement slip.
DEFIBRILLATORS IN DURROW: We are lucky to have defibrillators in Durrow – one at the Gala Grocery Store and one at The Community Playground. It is vitally important that if you or anyone you know is unfortunate enough to need to use one, you must inform Susan in the Gala Grocery Store as soon as possible afterwards, as the pads need to be replaced – NOTE: They are single use! The defibrillator needs to be ready for the next person who may need to use it – that person could be you or a loved one! Thanks for your cooperation.
DARKNESS INTO LIGHT 2023: Darkness into Light will take place in Durrow this year on Saturday May 6th 2023. Registration will open in March. Everyone is welcome to join us in Durrow and we will provide further updates closer to the time.
BOOK: A book titled ‘The Poorest of the Poor’ by Durrow author Seosamh O Cuinneagain is now available. All the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated towards the education and general welfare of the street children of Kolkata. Price €20. Please phone 0868263368 for more details.
WHIST DRIVE: The Killermogh Whist Drive is held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow at 8pm on the ***fourth*** Thursday of every month during 2023. Please come and enjoy a lovely friendly night. The Next Whist drive is on Thursday 27th April at 8pm.
CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE – PROGRESSIVE 25 CARD GAME – NEW EARLIER START TIME OF 8PM: Progressive 25 Card Game continues every Sunday night in Cullohill Community Centre at 8pm and all are most welcome. Winners on Sunday 26th March 2023 were: First – Vera Brennan and Willie Gorman; Second – Percy Phelan and Jimmy Ryan; Joint Third – The Raffle Winners on the night were: Willie Dunphy and Seamus Brennan.
ZUMBA CLASSES: Zumba classes are held in The Parochial Hall in Rathdowney each Wednesday night from 8pm to 9pm. The weekly Fee is just €7. Keep fit the fun way while dancing to great music. No dancing experience necessary at all. Good fun guaranteed!
SET DANCING CLASSES: Set dancing classes are held every Thursday night in The Wheel Inn, Ballyouskill from 9pm. All are most Welcome.
DURROW ART CLUB: Art Classes are held in the ICA Hall, Patrick Street, Durrow. Beginners are most welcome to join. More details from Marie on (086) 3136028.
DURROW LIBRARY NEWS: All our Laois Library branches are open to the public for browsing, PC usage, printing, photocopying and studying, in addition to all the free events taking place throughout the month – see details below. You can browse the Laois Libraries online catalogue here: https://laois.spydus.ie and if needed, borrowers can reset their library PIN in order to access the catalogue – contact your local library or email library@laoiscoco.ie for assistance with this.
ONLINE BOOK CLUB – Laois Libraries Online Book Club reads one book a month chosen from the BorrowBox collection. Join us on the last Wednesday of each month when questions are posed for discussion on our Book Club Facebook page. You can join the group on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/315513126404037 online. New members are always welcome.
OPEN HOURS – Durrow Library Opening hours are Tuesdays from 11am to 7.30pm and Wednesdays from 10am to 5.30pm (closed for lunch from 1.30pm to 2pm). Phone: (057) 8736090 Email: durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie for further information.
LOETB ADULT ART CLASSES – Adult art classes are held every Tuesday at 3.30pm in the Library. All are most welcome. Contact Amy in the Library for more information.
DURROW COMMUNITY SATURDAY MARKET: Durrow Community Market continues on Saturdays from 9am to 12 noon on the Kilkenny Road beside the Church.
LIVE LOCAL WEATHER: Visit www.laoisweather.com for live local weather data from Durrow.
WANTED: Child minder required for 10 year old boy during school summer holidays, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 3.00pm, preferably in child’s own home, might suit student teacher. Please email interest to suzydelahunty1903@gmail.com
2023 ESB APPRENTICESHIPS: Applications for the ESB Networks Apprenticeship Programme are open since Monday 27th February and remain open until March 20th 2023! Visit www.careerservices.ie/apprenticeships online for more information.
DURROW FIRE AND RESCUE: Do you need a smoke alarm? Or do you know of someone who does, in the Durrow, Cullohill or Ballacolla area? Every home should have a minimum of two of the life saving devices! Durrow Fire & Rescue will provide and install smoke alarms for anyone that needs them, and there is no charge for this service. Simply email info@durrow.ie if you are interested, or if you know of a friend or neighbour that needs to have the devices installed. Please leave a contact number too.
DURROW FIRE AND RESCUE: Members of Durrow Fire Brigade are available to give fire safety talk to any interested adult groups or organisations, in the Durrow, Cullohill and Ballacolla areas. If interested please contact Station Officer David Donohue.
BIRDWATCH IRELAND: BirdWatch Ireland wishes to remind the public that, under the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended, it is prohibited to cut, burn or otherwise destroy vegetation not then cultivated between Sunday 1st March to August 31st, except in the case of any of the derogations permitted under the Wildlife Act. This means that the cutting of hedgerows and the burning or gorse and other vegetation are prohibited during this period.
The restrictions on the destruction of vegetation are in place in order to allow birds to undertake their breeding cycle, a time when they are most vulnerable. All wild birds are protected under national and EU law, especially during the period when they are breeding. This period starts when birds seek out and establish territories, find a mate, begin nest-building and then lay eggs and rear their chicks.
CHURCH NEWS: Parish Office – The Parish Office at the Presentation Centre beside the Church is open from 10am to 2pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The booking of Masses, Christenings of babies, sale of Mass Cards, Booking of weddings and funeral arrangements will go through this office. All matters relating to Church business in the Parish must also go through this office. You can also call the Parish Office on (085) 2625033.
PASTORAL COUNCIL MEMBERS – The members of the Pastoral Council are: Martin Lawlor; Mary Lawlor; James Walsh; Carmel Ruane; Mary Ryan; Vicky Murphy; Margaret Murphy; Seamus Clancy; Sr. Anita O’Leary and Fr. Martin Delaney.
TOWARDS PEACE – Safe spaces to connect with your own spirituality, with your sense of God and your journey Towards Peace. Towards Peace Coordinator Ms. Una Allen, Coordinator Phone: 01 5053028 Mobile: 086 7710533. The service is available on Monday and Tuesday from 9am – 4pm and on Wednesday from 9am -12 noon. For out of office hours, please call us on 086 7710533 and leave a message, we will respond to your call as soon as possible.
TOWARDS HEALING – Towards Healing provides face to face counselling, structured phone counselling, family counselling and a counselling helpline. Their help line is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 9am to 5pm. Freephone 1800 303416. Hearing-impaired Text Line Number: (085) 8022859. Email: info@towardshealing.ie Website: www.towardshealing.ie Online.
NUMBER FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – LAST UPDATED JULY 2021: Our new contact phone number for confidential assistance is (087) 6974792.
DURROW-CULLOHILL PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Durrow-Cullohill Pastoral Council are looking for people who will assist with: (1) Cleaning the Church; (2) assisting with the collection during Mass, and (3) Readers for weekend Masses and Eucharistic ministers. Please give your name to Martin Lawlor, Seamus Clancy, or any member of the Pastoral Council. Your help would be gratefully appreciated. This is for The Holy Family Church, Durrow.
EASTER CEREMONIES 2023: Easter Ceremonies 2023 in Rathdowney/Durrow/Errill/Cullohill:
Wednesday 5 th April – Chrism Mass St Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny 7.30pm
Holy Thursday 6th April – Mass of the Lords Supper, Errill 7.30pm (Fr. Martin Delaney), Cullohill 8pm (Fr. Anthony O’Connor), Durrow 7.30pm (Canon Sean O’Doherty)
Good Friday 7th April – Cullohill 12 noon Stations of the Cross in The Millenium Garden (Sr. Anita O’Leary); Cullohill 3pm The Lord’s Passion (Fr. Anthony O’Connor)
Durrow 3pm The Lord’s Passion (Canon Sean O’Doherty), Rathdowney 3pm The Lord’s Passion (Fr. Martin Delaney), Errill 7pm Passion Walk from Primary school to Church.
(Led by Fr. Martin Delaney).
Holy Saturday Night 8 th April – Durrow 8pm Easter Vigil (Fr. Martin Delaney); Rathdowney 9.30pm Easter Vigil (Fr. Martin Delaney)
Easter Sunday 9 th April – Mass of The Resurrection; Bealady Cemetery 6.30am Dawn Mass (Fr. Martin Delaney), Cullohill 10am (Fr. Martin Delaney), Rathdowney 10.30am (Fr. Anthony O’Connor), Durrow 11am (Canon Sean O’Doherty).
Fr. Martin will be available to celebrate The Sacrament of Reconciliation on Holy Thursday (6 th of April) in Durrow Church from 10.30 to 12 noon and in Rathdowney Church from 2.30pm to 4pm. This will be face to face and not in the Confession box.
THANK YOU: The Death of Durrow’s Oldest man; Johnny Moylan – The family of the late Johnny Moylan of Barnhill Durrow would like to thank everyone for their kindness to us before, during and after his funeral. Although it is sad for us to lose him at almost 101 years of age, it was so uplifting to hear stories about him throughout his life and to know the high regard he was held in by those who knew him. Sincere thanks to Canon O’Doherty and Fr Martin Delaney for con-celebrating the Mass at his funeral.
THE HARPS GAA CLUB NEWS: SPLIT THE BUCKET – A standing order of €8 a month gives one entry a week, €16 a month gives two entries a week and €20 a month gives three entries a week. If you would like to set up a monthly standing order please contact Tom Ryan on (087) 6159226 or Shane Brophy on (087) 2034035. Thanks to everyone who supports our weekly Split the Bucket draw.
Congratulations – Congratulations to Bobby Murphy on winning a Senior Schools All-Ireland last St. Patrick’s Weekend with St Kieran’s Collage.
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB NEWS: Thank You – A special thank you to SuperValu in Ballragget for allowing us to bag pack in store on Thursday March 16th. Thank you to all the parents and players for getting involved and helping us start off our fundraising efforts for the year.
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: You can contact the club on cullohillhandballclub@yahoo.ie by email.
THE LIONS AFC CLUB: FOR HIRE – Astro Pitch Hire, suitable for 7-a-side soccer social groups, casual bookings and team activities. For all enquiries or to make a booking please contact lionsafc@gmail.com or call (085) 7088511.
NEWS – Last Saturday 25 th March was undoubtedly one of the biggest and most exciting days in the Club’s 52 year history, as the Under 14 boys took to pitch in the Skechers National Cup Quarter Final against Arklow Town. In front of a very large home crowd, the boys performed incredibly in all areas of the pitch and finished with a 3-1 win over our formidable visitors. The boys, now one of 4 teams left in the All Ireland Competition will meet a very strong Midleton FC Team in the Semi Final in Midleton on Sat 22 nd April (subject to change). The club would like to thank everyone who came out to support the boys last Saturday. The incredible atmosphere undoubtedly helped the boys on the day and we hope that people will be in a position to travel to Midleton to support them in the semi final. We wish this incredible team the best of luck in the next round.
The weekend’s excitement didn’t end there with another exceptional match being played on Sunday. This time, the crowd were entertained by the Under 11 boys who met a very strong Freebooters team in the Semi Final of the David Doran Cup. The final whistle sounded at 3 apiece and even extra time couldn’t separate the teams, so to penalties it went. Usually at Under 11’s it’s the best of 3 (something these boys had already experienced when their quarter final against Deen Celtic also went to penalties), but not this time. It took 10 penalties before the Lions were awarded the game with a winning penalty score of 7-6. These incredible young boys are due to play Evergreen in the Cup Final in Dermidus, Kilkenny on Sat 8 th April (subject to change).
We would also like to wish our super under 10 boys team the very best of luck in the Semi Final of the Gerry O’Reilly Cup which takes place this weekend against Evergreen (away). The future for the Club has never looked so bright!
We had such fun at our ABBAesque fundraiser last year, we are doing it all again! The event will take place in the Castle Arms Hotel on Sat 29 th April at 9pm. Tickets are available for €25 from Committee Members or on www.eventbrite.ie (no booking fee). Tickets are selling fast so don’t delay.
DURROW AND CULLOHILL DISTRICT ANGLERS: The club are always looking for more Juvenile and Senior members to join up. Why not consider it – a great way to get outside to a new hobby!
TRIDENT FITNESS CLUB – KETTLEBELL SPORTS AND FITNESS CLASSES: Learn to use kettlebells safely and effectively from one of Ireland’s top ranked and most experienced professional kettlebell sports and fitness instructors with over 10 years of experience in kettlebell sport and fitness. Included in the classes are bodyweight exercises as well as posture correction and strengthening techniques. Together with proper kettlebell instruction you can learn to prevent and remedy a wide range of joint and mobility issues and injuries. Class schedule: Tuesday 6.30pm; Thursday 6.30pm; Saturday 11am. Venue: Durrow Community Hall CYMS. Call David or email for further information. Also available for personal training. Tel: (087) 3833258 or email: tridentfitnessclub@yahoo.ie or borukettlebellclub@yahoo.com for more information.