Photo: EOB.
TIDY TOWNS: Our WOW, Work on Wednesday, evenings will be starting back this 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 weekend 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.
DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES: Durrow Community Services have vacancies for Environmental Workers, Office Administrator, Catering Assistant and Groundskeeper; location of positions in Durrow and Cullohill. Please contact Astrid Andersson on 057 8736870 or andersson@durrowcs.com or call: 057 8736870.
LIVING WELL EXPO: The “Living Well” Expo takes place on Thursday 13th April, from 4pm 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 four 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 or to eoconnor@laoiscoco.ie by email.
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.
LAOIS DOWN SYNDROME NEWS: Laois Down Syndrome will be holding an Employment Open Day on Thursday the 20th of April in the Maldron Hotel Portlaoise. Aoife Gaffney, head of Employment at Down Syndrome Ireland will be on hand to offer advice on practical skills to our adult members, parents, carers, key workers, and local companies and businesses who wish to employour young adults. We are currently preparing a leaflet, and once finalised, we will circulate to all, including local businesses. This is a fantastic opportunity for our members, so we would encourage as many as possible to attend on the day. Please reply before Friday the 14th of April with numbers attending. Call 086 8279942 or alternatively 086 0491633.
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 and Information Sessions will take place on Sunday 16th April from 1pm to 3pm at Bobs Bar and also on Saturday 22nd April from 1pm to 3pm at The Castle Arms Hotel.
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.
BALLYOUSKILL CARDS: Ballyouskill Progressive 25s continues on a monthly basis. The next game will be held on Friday 28th April. March winners: Pa Maher and Paddy Rafter; Runners up: N. Cummins and J. Gannon, Mary Malone and Frances Dunne. Padraig and Noreen Ryan. Well done to all.
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 2nd April 2023 were: Joint First: Vera Brennan and Willie Gorman, Ann and Joe Cass, Paddy Lalor and Seamus Brennan. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Paddy Dunphy and Kitty Farrell.
We were all saddened on Sunday 2nd April, to hear that Tom Lawlor had passed away earlier that day. A minutes silence was observed, and condolences were sent to Tom’s family. May He Rest In Peace.
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.
ADULT ART GROUP – A self-led art group meets weekly every Tuesday at 2:30pm. Call or email the library for more details.
IRISH CIRCLE — The Irish Circle group meets in the library on Tuesdays at 6.10pm. Beidh fåilte röimh cupån tae a 61 agus cüpla focail Gaeilge a labhairt no a canadh.
EASTER CRAFT – Pop into the library on Wednesday, 12th April between llam and lpm for a special Easter themed parent and child craft table. While stocks last!
CROCHET WORKSHOP – Ukrainian workshops taking place on Wednesday 19th and 26th April at 11am. Call or email the library for more details.
ADULT BOOK CLUB — The club will next meet on Tuesday 25th April at 6.10pm to discuss The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard. Call or email the library for more details.
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.
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.
JOHNSTOWN KILKENNY: Johnstown Family Festival is back again for 2023 – save the date: 25th June 2023 in the Johnstown Sports Field. Live Music; The Dog Show; Hurling and Soccer Tournaments; Family Fun Games; Demonstrations; Mega Raffle; Craft Stalls and Food Market plus loads more fun! Hanging Tough is back! And this year we will be looking for “Johnstown’s Fittest Family”. Keep an eye out on the Facebook Page: Johnstown Kilkenny Community Town Team for further details – but you might want to start training for it now!
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.
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.
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB NEWS: Well done to our Intermediate team who won their Leinster League Semi-Final last Sunday April 2nd against Celbridge. They will play the final on Sunday the 16th of April, more details to follow later. Result: Harps 4-18 v 0-08 Celbridge.
Congratulations and well done to our Harps girl Aoife Kirby on winning the Junior A Camogie All Ireland Final with Loreto Kilkenny last March 22nd. What a wonderful achievement Aoife and everyone in the club so proud of you!
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: You can contact the club on cullohillhandballclub@yahoo.ie by email.
FEILE: The John West Féile na nGael Handball 2023 event is fast approaching with the online entry system now open for entries! The competitions are being hosted in Connacht clubs this year on the weekend of April 29th. Closing date is midnight Sunday the April 16th. For full details, visit: www.gaahandball.ie/news/online-feile-na-ngael-entry-now-live online.
HARD LUCK: Hard Luck to Aoife and Una who put up a great showing in the Leinster Junior Doubles Final last Sunday April 2nd. They came up against the strong Wexford Partnership of Holly Hnes and Cora Doyle. Well Done Girls!
WELL DONE: Well Done to the Cullohill and St Bridget’s Monevea Under 12s who played the Laois County championship in Cullohill on March 27th last. A great evening was had by all.
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 – KILKENNY AND DISTRICT LEAGUE: The club was well represented on the Kilkenny and District League U13 team last Sunday April 2nd in Ennis. Fionn, Rian, Alex and Danny all done the club and county proud. The lads were unlucky to lose out to a strong Clare team on penalties after a hard fought 2-2 draw. Alex among the goals for Kilkenny and Danny had the honour of captaining the side. Well done lads, keep up the good work.
ABBA CONCERT – 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 Saturday the 29th 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.
CONGRATULATIONS – Big congratulations to three of our ladies involved with Kilkenny and District Women’s team last Sunday April 2nd. Leah Kelly, Shannon Kelly and Cliodhna Kenny all involved in a big win v The Tipperary and District League. Shannon with the first goal for Kilkenny. Well done girls and keep up the great work.
U15s: Another historic day for the club as six of our players line out for the Kilkenny and District League U15 team in Kerry today. The lads helped Kilkenny to a Three-Nil win, a clean sheet for Eoin H. in goals, Tony and Rob in defence and Liam in midfield, with a goal apiece from Eoin D. and Ciaran in attack. Keep up the good work lads.
RESULT – U10 Gerry O’Reilly Cup Semi Final Result: Evergreen 4 v 1 Lions AFC; Scorer – James Dooley.
RESULT – U11 David Doran Cup Semi Final Result: Lions AFC 3 v 3 Freebooters. Scorers – Frankie Carroll (X2), Harry Phelan. A.E.T. – Lions AFC win 7-6 on Penalties.
RESULT – Junior KCLR96FM McCalmont Cup Result Lions AFC 1 v 5 Clover United. Scorer – Lee Campion (pen).
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.