DURROW SCARECROW FESTIVAL – On Monday 7th August, Senator David Norris, attended the official unveiling of a plaque to commemorate Saint Benedict of Durrow – the man that legend has it, became Pope and Bishop of Rome for two days – Ireland’s First Pope. The unveiling will took place in The Square, Durrow at 2pm on the day. The Story: A tale circulates among the people of the Aran Islands, recounting the legend of a man from Durrow, Co. Laois, who briefly held the position of Pope and Bishop of Rome. The renowned Saint Benedict, hailing from Durrow, was born around 460 AD to Lugneay, the King of Ossory and rightful heir to the throne. As a young man, he departed from his home to study under St. Fintan at Clonenagh, where he developed a deep friendship with Colmcille, a Prince of the Royal House of Ireland. After their ordination, both Benedict and Colmcille journeyed to the Monastery established by St. Enda on Innishmore.
Years passed as they devoted themselves to prayer. Colmcille eventually embarked on a mission to Iona, while Benedict became the faithful assistant and companion of St. Enda. In 522, Benedict and Enda set off for Rome. During their time in the Eternal City, the reigning Holy Father, St. Hormisdus, passed away.
Impressed by Benedict’s devoutness, the elders chose him as the successor. He assumed the name Pope Pupeus. However, legend has it that the following day, as St. Enda bid him farewell, the emotional separation overwhelmed the newly elected Pontiff. Without hesitation, he called upon the Church Elders once more and commanded another election to take place. On this occasion, Pope John the 1st was chosen.
St. Enda and Benedict returned to Aran, where Benedict succeeded Enda as the Abbot following his death. They were laid to rest side by side in the now-ruined Cathedral of Aran. Both saints are celebrated on March 21st. The Book of Cashel, which traces the lineage of the fourteen Saints of the Royal House of Ossory, refers to St. Benedict as ‘Ipse est Papa Pupeous,’ signifying his brief papal reign.
Source: An Historical and Social Diary of Durrow, County Laois, 1708-1992, Edward O’Brien, Millfield Press, 1992.
THANK YOU – The committee of the Durrow Scarecrow Festival wish to extend our warmest thanks to all our visitors, volunteers and sponsors who helped create a fantastic festival. Thankfully the weather improved as the nine days progressed with three sunny and dry days to close out the festival on a high. See you all again in 2024.
WINNERS – Overall Winner – Bistro at the Pound; Most Topical – 1st. Capitalist Pig, 2nd. The King’s Corn-ation, 3rd. Barbie in a Box; Most Humourous – 1st. Marty Party, 2nd. Dancing with the Stars, 3rd. Marty at Murfs; Pre-School/School – 1st. School Gate, 2nd. Scarecrow Time; Best Business – Dec’s Bar; Open General – 1st. Scaring for Dummies, 2nd. Crazy World, 3rd. Piper’s Rest; Youth and Adult Assisted – 1st. I grounded the kids for a week, 2nd. Barbenheiner, 3rd. Looking through Enoch-ulars; Sustainability – 1st. Train to Durrow; 2nd. Potty. Well done to all the winners and a huge thank you to everyone who entered. We look forward to your creations once again in 2024.
DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES: Durrow Community Services currently have the following vacancies: 5 positions as an Environmental Worker in Durrow; 1 position as an Environmental Worker in Cullohill; 1 position as a Catering Assistant in Durrow Meals On Wheels. As per the Department of Social Protection requirements, the positions are 19.5 hours per week and must be on a Social Welfare payment for minimum of 12 months to apply. Please contact Astrid Andersson on 057 8736870 or andersson@durrowcs.com for further information.
REGISTER OF ELECTORS: As part of our programme of activities to promote the Register of Electors, staff from Corporate Affairs will be in the Library in Durrow on August 25th to provide assistance to people to check and update their details on the Register. In order to update your details on the Register, you are required to bring the following on their visit: date of birth, PPSN and Eircode. If you don’t know your Eircode, get in touch with us and I will try to get this for you. Contact – Tom Curran, Staff Officer, Community Section, Laois County Council, R32EHP9. Email: tcurran@laoiscoco.ie or call 057 8664150.
THE WHEEL INN BALLYOUSKILL: Food will be available in The Wheel Inn, Ballyouskill between the hours of 7pm and 10pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Eat In or Takeaway Available, why not drop in and see the menus!
DURROW MEALS ON WHEELS SERVICE: The committee of Meals on Wheels wish to thank all those involved in the cooking and delivering of many meals daily, five days weekly. This include the kitchen staff and van drivers, who are employed on the CE Scheme in Durrow, and to the volunteers who deliver in the local area on a regular basis.
New volunteer drivers are needed at present, it can be for one day at a time or more. If you would like to help with this worthy service you can do so by contacting Pius on 0870611880.
DURROW TIDY TOWNS: With Tidy Towns ongoing Judging throughout August, we are asking all businesses and Residents to continue the five minute sweet outside your own homes and premises. Every help is needed in keeping Durrow looking neat and tidy for the Judges. We meet on Wednesday and Friday nights if you would like to assist with a group or if you wish to work on your own, why not join our ‘hidden hour’ and work at your own pace or Adopt an Area to look after with some friends and family? Contact Fred on 087 6892323 or email tidytowns@durrow.ie with any queries.
OUR LADY’S MEADOW PRIMARY SCHOOL: As you may or may not be aware Our Lady’s Meadow will celebrate its 40th Anniversary later this year. As part of the celebrations we are looking for people’s stories and memories of their time there. We will be asking the schoolchildren to share their own stories, however we are sure many of you have attended yourselves and can help out also. It could be a funny incident, a happy memory, a teacher you will always remember and why, a classmate who was there for you- anything at all. Photographs would also be appreciated if you are willing to share! We would love to hear from you. Please send your story directly to the school or to olm40years@gmail.com by email.
CULLOHILL BRIDGE CLUB: Summer Bridge has now commenced in Cullohill Community Centre. The game continues every Thursday evening at 7.30pm, and everyone is most welcome.
DURROW AND DISTRICT PIPE BAND: We’re always looking for new members, so why not come along to a practice? Get in touch with our Facebook page if you’re interested in learning the pipes or drums, all levels catered for. See https://www.facebook.com/DurrowPipeBand or search Facebook for “Durrow & District Pipe Band” to find us online.
BALLINAKILL SWIMMING POOL: Season tickets are available to purchase on their website www.ballinakilloutdoorswimmingpool.com – prices remain as they were last year.
Please email ballinakillswimmingpool@gmail.com with any queries.
DOG WALKERS! A reminder to clean up after your dog. We have Mutt Mitt dispensers and instructions on how to clean up after your dog, throughout Durrow. Dog fouling is a serious health risk and children can easily not see it and bring indoors on bikes, shoes, buggies and it’s a particular hazard to wheelchair users. If you’d like to become a green dog walker we have information in the Post Office and Library regarding the initiative. Please be responsible and clean up after your pet!
CULLOHILL COMHALTAS: We are delighted to announce that there will be a Cullohill Comhaltas group starting in September 2023. This will be open and available to all members of our community (adults and children).
DURROW BRIDGE CLUB NEWS: Durrow Bridge Club resumes in October.
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.
WHIST DRIVE: The Killermogh Whist Drive is held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow. The Next Whist drive is on Thursday 28th September 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 6th August 2023 were: Joint First – Canice Sweeney and Willie Dunphy, Jim Walsh and John Mooney; Joint Second – Sean O’Shea and Paddy Walsh, Phil Doheny and Chris Fitzpatrick, Vera Brennan and Willie Gorman, Sean and Anna Burke. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Emma Delaney and Anne Cass.
SET DANCING CLASSES: Set dancing classes are held every Thursday night in The Wheel Inn, Ballyouskill from 9pm. All are most Welcome.
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.
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.
CHURCH NEWS: Parish Office – The Parish Office at the Presentation Centre beside the Church is open from 9.30am to 2pm on weekdays. The booking of Masses, Christenings of babies, weddings and funeral arrangements must be arranged with this office. Sale of Mass Cards, Christening Candles, Communion gifts and booking of All matters relating to Church business in the Parish must also go through this office. You can also contact the Parish Office by phone on (085) 2625033 or to durrow@ossory.ie by email. Summer Opening hours for August will be: Wednesdays – 9.30am until 2pm; Thursdays – Closed; Fridays – 9.30am until 2pm.
REVISED MASS HOURS: Effective from 9th September 2023 – Durrow and Rathdowney Parish Mass Times will be revised as follows: Saturday Evening – 6pm Vigil Mass in Rathdowney; 7.30pm Vigil Mass in Cullohill and 7.30pm Vigil Mass in Durrow (This Mass in Durrow only celebrated when Canon O’Doherty is available to celebrate it); Sunday Morning – 10am Mass in Errill; 11.15am Mass in Durrow.
ADORATION: There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Cullohill Church every Thursday morning from 8.50am until 9.50am.
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.
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.
CEMETERY MASSES 2023: Durrow – Sunday 27th August at 12 noon.
BAPTISM – We welcome into our Parish Community Hollie Mary Pierce who was baptised in our Parish last weekend.
NUMBER FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – LAST UPDATED JULY 2023: Please note that our confidential contact helpline number for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Durrow, has been changed to (083) 4056021 as of July 14th 2023.
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.
SAVE THE DATE: The Harps GAA will host a Golf Classic on October 7th 2023 at Rathdowney Golf Club.
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB: VISIT TO CROKE PARK FOR ALL IRELAND CAMOGIE FINALS – A great day out in Croke Park for some of our girls. They got to see three brilliant camogie matches where they saw some great skill and talent on show. No doubt we will be seeing these girls playing in Croke Park some day but for now they got to enjoy a great day out. Thanks to the parents who traveled up with them.
Follow all the latest news from the club at https://www.facebook.com/HarpsCamogie online.
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.
URGENT! New Managers, Coaches and Volunteers needed! We are currently seeking managers and coaches for the following teams: U8 girls; U12 girls; U14 girls; U13 boys; U15 boys. The cutoff to enter our teams for this season is fast approaching and all the teams above are in danger of not been registered due to lack of coaches. As a purely voluntary run community club we can only offer children organised football with the support of adults volunteering to manage, coach and support our boys and girls teams in numerous ways. If you would be interested in one of these vital roles please do make contact via 087 4115971 or contact lionsafc@gmail.com by email.
U16 BOYS – Lions AFC are looking to add to our very strong squad of U16s. Last season the team reached the last 16 in Ireland and won the South East Sketchers Cupand are looking to reach even greater heights this year If you are interested and were born in 2008 please Email us at lionsafc@gmail.com for further details.
U15 BOYS – Lions AFC are looking to add to our U15s squad which reached the All Ireland Semi-Finals last season. We are currently looking for an expression of Interest from players born in 2009. Email us at lionsafc@gmail.com for further details.
DURROW AND CULLOHILL DISTRICT ANGLERS:APPEAL – Durrow Cullohill District Anglers want to offer our support to Sean Dunphy and Mairead Brennan for their Memorial Run for Pat and Elaine. Pat Dunphy was a long serving Member in our Club and is sadly missed. We as a Club can only promote this worthy cause as Pat gave endless commitment to the running of the Fishing Club. So please visit www.gofundme.com/f/memorial-run-for-pat-elaine-50km-for-5k online and any donation would be greatly appreciated.
JOIN US – The club is 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! All fishing membership cards can be bought in The Gala Shop Durrow, Lawlors Flower Shop Durrow, and in Fran’s Fishing Shop Mountrath. All day tickets and full membership cards are available. There are court appointed water keepers overseeing the club’s waters and you could be asked for membership. Please ensure all membership and tickets are valid and please adhere to club rules listed on the membership cards. Happy Fishing!
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.