TIME FOR A SHEAR! In aid of the wonderful Cuisle Cancer Support Centre based in Portlaoise a live head shave will be held on Saturday the 1st of March from 9pm with DJ till late and food on the night. The event takes place in O’Murchu’s Bar at The Castle Arms Hotel in Durrow. Joan from Inch Hair Design Hairdressers has kindly offered her shearing services on the night! All donations greatly appreciated for this truly worthy charity, who has helped so many people suffering and their families. If anyone would like to join the fundraiser or brave the shave on the night please do so! Please visit https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/LisaWalshCuisleCentre2 online for more information.
NOTICE FOR LOCAL CHARITIES AND ORGANISTATIONS: As part of the Department of Finance’s efforts to refresh the Irish National Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Proliferation Financing Risk Assessment, the Charities Regulator is asking charities to complete this questionnaire for the Government’s Anti-Money Laundering Steering Committee. The Survey is being undertaken by Grant Thorton. This link to the survey is at: https://surveys.grantthornton.ie/s/npo-risk-assessment-questionnaire/tt-W7-GW online. Please, if possible, complete this vital survey.
CULLOHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: We are now accepting applications for registration for our Junior Infant Class for 2025/26.
Registration forms are available from the school office and are also available to download at www.scoiltighearnachnaofa.com online. Please return completed registration forms to the school office or by email to scoiltnaofa@gmail.com on or before Friday, the 28th of February.
CULLOHILL TIDY TOWNS: Cullohill Tidy Towns are organising a major clean-up on Saturday, the 22nd of February next. Volunteers would be greatly appreciated. If you can give some time, please come along to the Cullohill School Gates for 9.30am on the day. We look forward to seeing you there!
SCHOOL WORK: The Tidy Towns Committee are delighted to announce the securing of a grant from the Community Foundation of Ireland. The sum of €11,000 will be used for the implementation of the village’s Biodiversity Action Plan. Stage 1 is the removal of the invasive tree species in the school grounds which will be replaced by pollinators. Works in this regard have already commenced!
THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS: We are proud to present Eoghan with the coveted Twelve Peaks – Four Seasons Badge. His journey started last March with the Peak challenge (a week of summits in beautiful Donegal including Slieve Liagh & Slieve Donard) to Leinster with Lugnaquilla, Camaderry, Scar, Mount Leinster & Arderin before moving up to Connacht and six of The Twelve Bens and finishing off his journey in Munster with The Knockmealdowns, The Galtees, Slievenamon & his final peak climb was Carauntoohil. He truly loved every step and in ten days time he will be heading off to Iceland for the Crean challenge. Bravo Eoghan!
EDUCATION SUPPORT: Primary School Teacher available for one-to-one tutoring. Available for Homework support and Literacy/Maths Tutoring. Also available for Junior and Leaving Certificate Irish grinds in either small group or one to one setting. Contact Lauren on 085 1046155 for more information.
DURROW TIDY TOWNS – JOIN US! If you are interested in taking part in Tidy Towns activities or getting involved in specific projects to continue to maintain and improve Durrow, please get in touch on tidytowns@durrow.ie, pm our Facebook Page or WhatsApp/Text Fred Townsend on 087 6892323.
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!
LEAFY LOOP WALKS! We are again reminding people that ALL dogs must be kept on a lead, without exception on the Leafy Loop in Durrow, this includes Dunmore, Clonageera, Bishops Wood, Derry Wood, Knockatrina and The Course. The Leafy Loop traverses across Coillte Woodlands and Farmlands with protected species and farm animals. Your Dog is not an exception to be left off a lead.
AGM COMING SOON! Tidy Towns is a 52 week a year job and we have been working on lots of projects during the winter months including litter picking, repairs, planting, seed saving, pruning, winter planting, plant protection, surveys, composting and soil preparation and planning for our 2025 season and the 2025 Tidy Towns Competition. We will soon have our AGM and would encourage all to attend and bring forward any ideas relating to our community. All, as always, are welcome.
RE-TURN! Cullohill School Parents Council are asking the community to consider recycling some of their Re-Turn cans and bottles in one of three Re-Turn bins in the locality. The bins are at Cullohill National School, the Community Centre and at Bergin’s shop. All funds raised will benefit Cullohill National School and would be greatly appreciated.
IRISH LANGUAGE: Sixth Year Mock Irish Orals available by an experienced oral examiner for the State Exams. For more information or to book a space, please contact – 0861785424.
COIS NORE CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE: Cois Nore Outreach will be visiting the following local venues: Dr. Hogan’s Rooms, The Square, Ballyragget from 10am to 12pm on Mondays and Mill Family Resource Centre, Urlingford from 10am to 12pm on Fridays. Phone (087) 4833941 or email for an appointment or drop in during the above times.
IRISH DANCING CLASSES: Traditional Irish Dancing Beginner classes for ages 4+ continues on Mondays in Durrow CYMS Hall. Time: 4.30pm until 7.30pm. Limited places available. Text or call Katrina on (085) 7606866.
CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE:
CIRCUIT CLASSES are running in the Centre every Tuesday and Thursday evenings with instructor Richie Saunders. Also, personal training sessions are available in mini-gym. Further details through (087) 6608248.
SPEECH AND DRAMA CLASSES: Speech & Drama Classes are running on Wednesdays from 6.45pm until 7.30pm. For enquiries, please contact 087 6473414.
TAEKWONDO CLASSES: Taekwondo Classes will be held in Cullohill Community Centre on Tuesdays from 6.15pm with different time slots for various age groups.. For more information please contact (087) 9003813 or contact allcountiestkd@gmail.com by email.
CULLOHILL COMHALTAS: Comhaltas classes will continue on Tuesdays. Email to cullohillcomhaltas@gmail.com with any queries or to join.
CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE – PROGRESSIVE 25 CARD GAME: Progressive 25 Card Game continues every Sunday night in Cullohill Community Centre at 8pm and all are most welcome. Winners on Sunday 9th February 2025 were: Joint First – Michael and Patsy Moran, Jim Walsh and John Mooney, Anne and Emmett Fitzpatrick, Margaret and Anthony Phelan, Ger Alley and Ollie Clooney, Noreen and Padraig Ryan. The winners of the raffle were: Terry Dunne and Willie Dunphy.
VOCEM DARÚ CHOIR: Ladies! Do you enjoy singing? Ever thought of joining a choir? Vocem Daru community choir is looking for new members. We are a lovely bunch of women! Why not give it a try? No formal training required! For more details phone Ann on (086) 6045409.
DIGITAL NEWSLETTER: Get our digital newsletter delivered weekly to your email inbox for free! Please email info@durrow.ie if you are interested.
BALLYOUSKILL 25s CARDS GAME – Ballyouskill 25s Cards continues in Ballyouskill Community Hall on the last Friday of the month at 8pm. Our next game is February 28th 2025. Usual raffle and prizes on the night! All are most welcome.
WHIST DRIVE: The Killermogh Whist Drive will be held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow. The Next Whist drive is on Thursday the 27th of February 2025 at 8pm. All are most welcome.
SET DANCING CLASSES: Set Dancing continues in The Wheel Inn Ballyouskill on Thursdays at 9pm – all are most welcome to join. Contact Paddy at (085) 8607256 or Francis at (085) 7157694 for more details. An enjoyable way to socialise while helping to keep fit.
DURROW BRIDGE CLUB: Club meetings continue on Wednesdays at 7.30pm in the Castle Arms Hotel. All are 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 www.facebook.com/DurrowPipeBand or search Facebook for “Durrow & District Pipe Band” to find us online.
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 1.30pm to 7.30pm (closed for lunch from 5.30pm until 6pm) 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.
IRISH CIRCLE (Ciorcal Comhrá) – The Irish Circle group meets in the library on Tuesdays at 6.10pm. Beidh fáilte róimh cupán tae agus cúpla focail Gaeilge a labhairt no a canadh.
ADULT BOOK CLUB – The club meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 6pm. The next meeting is on Tuesday, the 25th of February 2025 – new members welcome.
LEGO FREE PLAY – Lego Freeplay will be available in the library on Wednesday, the 19th of February from 2pm until 4pm.
JUNIOR BOOK CLUB – The Junior Book Club’s next meeting will be held on Wednesday, the 26th of February at 3:10pm. New members welcome! 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: 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.
DURROW POST OFFICE: Call in to us today – we are now located in the Daybreak Store on The Square.
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, is (083) 4056021.
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CHURCH NEWS: Parish Office – Regular opening hours have now resumed and are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10.00am to 2.00pm. We have signed Mass cards, Baptismal candles, Communion gifts and more available to purchase. All Mass intentions, baptisms and weddings must be booked through the office on (085) 2625033, by email at durrow@ossory.ie or in person. No Private advertising in the weekly Mass Newsletter.
Mass Hours – 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.
Baptisms in Rathdowney and Durrow – Following the changes to our Mass schedule, baptisms can be booked for Saturdays at 4.30pm in either Parish and Sundays at 12 Noon in Durrow and Cullohill or 12.15 in Rathdowney and Errill.
Adoration – There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Cullohill Church every Thursday morning from 9am until 9.30am and in Durrow directly after 8.50am Mass (finishes at 11.30 am) on Mondays, also on Fridays from 7pm until 8pm.
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.
Parish Shops – Both parish shops have a new range of gifts in stock for First Communion, Christenings and other events. Candles, Rosary Bracelets, Crosses & Chains, Rosary Beads, Bibles, Grave Ornaments. Come in and have a look!
Towards Healing – A confidential and free counselling service, Phone 1800 303 416. They provide face to face counselling, structured phone counselling, family counselling and a counselling helpline for people who have experienced institutional, clerical or religious abuse in Ireland.
Funeral Masses on our Website – In order to comply with GDPR regulations recordings of funeral masses will be available on our website for one month only. All previous funeral masses have been removed. Copies of past funerals are available to family members on request. Contact the Parish Office regarding the same.
Restoration Fund Draw – Tickets are now available from the Parish Office for the Diocese of Ossory Cathedral Restoration Fund Draw. Tickets cost €120 for twelve monthly draws. Ten prizes each month – Top prize €2,000.
Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes – Led by the Bishop of Ossory, Most Rev. Niall Coll. Pilgrimage Director: Very Rev. Anthony O’Connor.
19th May for five nights – €949 per person. For information and bookings please contact Joe Walsh Tours on (01) 2410800 or contact info@joewalshtours.ie by email.
Please Note – If you are including a cheque in any of your envelopes, please make the cheque payable to Durrow Parish. These Cheques should not be made payable to Fr Martin or to the name of the Church itself. Please DO NOT scratch out your envelope number. It is not incorrect, we have renumbered the envelopes! Many thanks for your ongoing support.
VISITS – Do you have a family member or friend in a nursing home? Sr. Anita and I like to visit parishioners who are living in Nursing Homes or other Care settings. Unfortunately, we don’t have accurate knowledge about all of our parishioners from Durrow and Cullohill who are in Nursing Homes. I’m asking if you have a relative or know of someone from the parish in any Nursing Home or long-term care centre to please let us know. You can contact me, or Sr. Anita directly or alternatively leave the details in the Parish Office. A message from Fr. Martin.
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THE HARPS GAA CLUB NEWS – SPLIT THE BUCKET – Participate in the exciting weekly chance to win instant cash with ‘Split the Bucket.’ You can join in two ways: contact Richie (087) 9294742, Tom (087) 6159226 or Shane (087) 2034035 to establish a monthly standing order. Investing €8 monthly grants one entry per week, while €20 monthly provides three entries weekly, saving you €72 annually. Alternatively, play for €2 a ticket, at local businesses hosting our buckets. Best of luck to all participants, and thank you for your continued support to the Harps GAA Club!
CONGRATULATIONS: Well done to Kay Clancy, last weeks winner of the Split the Bucket.
DONATION: Darren Maher presented Dan from the Dillon Quirke Foundation with a cheque of €660 from our Annual St Stephen’s Day John Moore fundraiser. The club have applied through the Dillon Quirke foundation to avail of cardiac screenings for our members which will be conducted in the near future.
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB – NURSERY PROGRAMME: Is your daughter aged between 5yrs and 8yrs (born 2017-2020) and loves making new friends, playing outdoors and learning a new skill? If yes then bring her along to The Harps Camogie Club Nursery Programme which is continues on Thursday evenings from 6pm to 7pm. The Nursery Programme will run for another two weeks in Cullahill Community Hall R32 YK29. Bring a hurl, helmet, runners & a €1 coin! Please send name and your contact number to 087 9313499. Give it a go, you never know!!!
FOLLOW US ONLINE: Follow us on Social Media – www.facebook.com/HarpsCamogie
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB – GET IN TOUCH – 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.
SAVE THE DATE – This year’s Lions AFC Kickaton will take place on Saturday, 22nd March. The Kickaton brings our members of all ages together at our club grounds for a day of football fun and gives the younger members a chance to help in the fundraising for our club. We hope to see you there!
FOOTBALL ACADEMY – Developing Footballers & Friendships! Our Football Academy continues on Saturdays at our grounds on the Cork Road, Astro, Durrow. Training starts at 5.30pm. €2 Training Fee, Per Session.
RESULT: U17 League Division 1 Result – Freebooters 5 V 1 Lions AFC. Scorer: Sean Dempsey.
RESULT: Junior League Division 1 Result – Freshford Town 1 V 2 Lions AFC. Scorers: Paddy Daly and Aaron Grady.
SHIELD: Well done to our U11 boys Shield team, who had a great win away to Bridge United last weekend, well done to all involved!
U13 GIRLS KILKENNY LEAGUE TEAM: Congratulations to Olivia Marnell and Nikki Mullally, who represented the Kilkenny & District League U13s girls team last Sunday (9th February) vs Kildare. Olivia brought home the match ball with a terrific hat-trick to her name.
RESULT: U15 League Division 1 Result – Spa United 0 V 2 Lions AFC. Scorers: Jack Delahunty and Jack Marnell.
RESULT: U11 David Doran Cup Result – Evergreen 5 V 2 Lions AFC. Scorer: Ollie Fadian X2.
LAOIS KAYAK AND CANOE CLUB CLUB: GET IN TOUCH – You can contact us on info@laoiskayak.com by email.
DURROW GUN CLUB: Keep up to date with our social media page: www.facebook.com/durrowgunclub online.
OSSORY CYCLING CLUB: We are starting a couch to 50 kms for beginners group. This is a leisure group that will start on the 2nd of March from The Square in Rathdowney, leaving the square at 10am. It will continue on every Sunday morning for the Summer. All are most welcome to join, so if you are interested in getting into cycling or just want to get fit over the coming weeks why not come along and give it a try – you just might like it! It is 0kms to 50kms so as long as you have a roadworthy bike and a helmet, you can come along. If interested please give Kevin a ring on 087 1947743. We also do a lot of sportive and a bit of racing. Anyone with a bit of cycling done we have a group that goes out and do around 100 kms on a Sunday morning as well at the same time from The Square in Rathdowney. All welcome to come along as we are aways looking for new members!
KETTLEBELL BEGINNER CLASS: New round of classes starting soon! Learn to use kettlebells safely and effectively from one of Ireland’s top ranked kettlebell sports and fitness instructors. Also 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. Places are limited so booking is essential. For more information please telephone: (087) 3833258 or email: tridentfitnessclub@yahoo.ie or borukettlebellclub@yahoo.com
KETTLEBELL CLASSES FOR SENIORS: New Beginner Class Starting Soon. Just because you are getting older and a bit less active doesn’t mean you give up on your health and fitness. In fact physical training becomes more important as you get older! Working with weights such as kettlebells can slow down a number of conditions associated with ageing. Numerous studies have proven the benefits of strength training. Some of these are:
– Increase in bone density and muscle mass. This builds protection against fractures from falls etc.
– Improved Posture. Kettlebell exercises help to improve spinal alignment and strengthen the core muscles that hold the spine in its correct position.
– Improved mood and sleep. Exercise releases chemicals that increase positivity, reduce feelings of pain and anxiety, and promote sound sleep.
– Lower risk of heart disease. Weight training lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and strengthens the heart.
– Improved balance and movement skills.
Class places are limited so if you are interested contact me to book your place! Classes are run by coach David who is one of the most experienced and highest ranked kettlebell instructors in Ireland, with 10 years of experience.
JUNIORS KETTLEBELL CLASS: New kids class starting on Saturdays. Many parents worry that strength training is harmful for kids. However there is now widespread recognition in the medical community of the benefits of strength training for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics and The Mayo Clinic have stated that sensible strength training does not stunt growth or cause growth plate injuries. In fact it increases a child’s muscle strength and endurance, protects them from sports injuries, and improves their performance in any sport. Children are far more likely to get injured by playing sports without engaging in weight training.
Even if your child is not interested in sports, weight training can strengthen their bones, improve coordination and balance, promote healthy blood pressure and cholesterol, help maintain a healthy weight, and build confidence. Class places are limited so if you are interested contact me to book your place!