DURROW DEVELOPMENT FORUM AGM 2023: The Durrow Development Forum group will hold their AGM on Wednesday 15th February 2023 in The Library, Chapel Street at 8.00pm. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
DURROW TIDY TOWNS – Grafting Workshop for Irish Heritage Apples: a Grafting Workshop to preserve our older varieties of apples within the County of Laois will be held in the DDF Community Hub, Patrick Street, Durrow on Saturday 25th of February. Two workshops will be held with the first from 10am to 11.30am and the second from 12pm to 1.30pm on the day. Booking costing €5 can be completed at https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/grafting-workshop-for-irish-heritage-apples-tickets-537413948587 online.
IRISH WATER – CUSTOMER NOTICE: Customers are reminded not to dispose of wet wipes in their toilets. Why you shouldn’t flush wet wipes down the toilet? A wet wipe seems like a harmless item to put down the toilet. After all, how much damage can a small sheet made up of cotton and plastic really cause? Wet wipes don’t break up properly in our sewers, but with many manufactures labelling their wipes with the word ‘flushable’, consumers think it is ok to put these products down the toilet. Around 90% of wipes contain some form of plastic, which is one of the main reasons as they don’t disintegrate like regular toilet paper does. Flushed wipes will eventually gather in your pipes which may stop your toilet from flushing correctly, potentially resulting in sewage backing up into your home or yard through your toilet or sewer lid. Following recent blockages at the end of Erkindale Drive, customers around the Durrow area are reminded not to dispose of wet wipes in their toilets. Many thanks in advance for your cooperation.
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 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.
DURROW COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Durrow Community Council will hold the Annual Senior Citizens Party in The Castle Arms Hotel on Saturday the 4th of March at 2pm. The invites will be going out over the next few weeks – but if anyone who does not get one but wishes to attend, please get in touch with Ethel on (087) 0665752.
CULLOHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL: Scoil Tighearnach Naofa, Cullohill is now accepting enrolments for incoming Junior Infants for September 2023. Enrolment forms are available from the school office on request, or email scoiltnaofa@gmail.com to receive a digital copy. The deadline for application is Tuesday 28th February 2023.
HOME-HELP REQUIRED: Looking for a housekeeper/home help for a few hours a day preferably or even a couple of days a week. Location: between Durrow and Cullohill. References required please: (087) 2477471.
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE 2023 IN DURROW: It has been proposed to run the Durrow St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Friday 17th March at 1pm. This is our first parade since Covid and we want to make it the best one yet but we need all your help to make this the best St Patrick’s Day parade Durrow has ever seen. We need volunteers, floats, fun, music, dance, gaelic games and we need the full community to assist. Please text or phone Ian on (087) 4422654 or Pat on (087) 2814661 for further information and to partake or contact us on our social media pages.
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 23rd February 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 5th February 2023 were: First – Paddy Dunphy and Vera Brennan; Joint Second – Jim Walsh and John Mooney,
Eddie Delaney and Joe McGill; Third – Jim and Anne Mahony. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Canice Sweeney and Padraig Ryan.
CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE: Annual Auction – This year’s auction will be held on Sunday, February 19th, at 1.30pm. This year’s event is being run in conjunction with the local Handball Club as development works continue at the facility. We are asking each household/business to offer or donate good quality items such as firewood (or a tree), agricultural goods, toys, vouchers, household goods and furniture to be auctioned on the day. You can drop your items to the Community Centre on the afternoon of Saturday, February 18th. We will also hold a cake sale on the day so we will be very grateful for your donations or cakes and home baking. Please contact Vincent O’ Sullivan on 087 4168549 or Sean Dunphy 086 3558880 for any further information.
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.
STAFF WANTED: Happy Days Creche in Durrow are currently looking for a Childcare Professional. Details of Position: The ideal candidate must be confident in working as part of a team, in a child led, child centred, play based environment. Qualifications Needed – The successful candidate must have a minimum of Level 7 in Early Childhood Care and Education. If you are interested in this position please send a CV and a cover letter to happydayscreche1@gmail.com by email.
DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES CLG: Durrow Community Services currently have vacancies for an Office Administrator (Durrow) and Environmental Workers (Durrow). No experience required. Work 19.5 hours per week. Eligibility to participate in CE is generally linked to those who are 21 years or over and in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for one year or more or 18 years and over for certain disadvantaged groups. Your eligibility will have to be verified by the Department of Social Protection. Please contact Astrid Andersson on (057) 8736870 or andersson@durrowcs.com 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.
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.
KIDS CRAFT CLUB – Join Amy in the Library on Wednesday 15th February to craft your very own farm animals. Booking advised!
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.
LEGO CLUB – Lego Club will be held on Wednesday 22nd of February from 2pm to 4pm and all are most welcome to attend.
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 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.
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.
SYMPATHY is extended to the family and friends of Pat Staunton, Ballyouskill on their recent bereavement.
LAOIS KAYAK AND CANOE CLUB: Congratulations to club member Holly Ogilvie on retaining her position on the Irish Freestyle team and qualifying for the World Championships in Columbus, USA later this year.
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 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.
U10 BOYS – Mixed fortunes for our U10 boys teams last bank holiday weekend. Our Cup team travelled to play Highview Athletic and put in a magnificent performance to claim victory. Our shield team played a great game but unfortunately they came up against a very strong Deen Celtic team. Great work been done with these great bunch of boys. Keep up the good work lads.
WELL DONE LUCY – Lucy Kelly was on target again for the Kilkenny U14 girls as they beat Cavan-Monaghan district league by 4 goals to 1 in the Girls Inter League. Well done Lucy keep up the good work.
U15 NATIONAL CUP – Last 32 Result: Balbriggan 0 V 2 Lions AFC. Scorer: Eoin Delaney (2). What a day and what a weekend! Our U15s took to the road on Bank Holiday Monday morning on the long journey to Balbriggan, Dublin to take on a formidable NDSL side Balbriggan FC in the last 32 of the National Cup. The boys came away with a fantastic 2 nil win to book their place in the last 16 of Ireland. Well done to the boys today on a fantastic performance. This is a huge achievement for the club and all players, coaches and parents should be very proud of both teams. Also a big thank you to the support the boys received in Dublin today, It’s great to see everyone travel in big numbers to cheer on the lads.
U14 NATIONAL CUP – Last 32 Ireland Result: Lions AFC 6 V 1 Lifford AFC. Scorers: Fionn O’Sullivan X2, Joey Dempsey, Sean Dempsey, Conor Dempsey and Harry Donohue. Huge congratulations to our U14 who qualified for the last 16 of the National Cup after a great display against Lifford AFC from Ennis, Co. Clare. A special thank you to Lifford AFC who made the long trip up to Durrow and played their part is a very good sporting game. We would like to wish Lifford AFC all the best for the coming season. All their management, players and parents are a credit to their club. We would also like to thank all our supporters who came out in big numbers to support the boys today. Great achievement for the players and our club.
DURROW AND CULLOHILL DISTRICT ANGLERS: The Club’s AGM will be held on Friday the 17th of February at 8pm in the Presentation Hall (beside the Church in Durrow). All are most welcome to attend. 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!
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: Well Done to Orla Brophy who won the 15 and under Plate final recently with a 15-8 win over Jennifer Saunders of Kilkenny in the GAA Handball Irish Nationals in Carlow.
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.