DURROW & CULLOHILL FLOWER CLUB: Durrow and Cullohill Flower Club are holding their next meeting in Cullohill Hall on Monday 13th March at 8pm. Garden talk with Hester Forde giving a virtual tour of Hester’s garden interspersed with lots of garden advice. New members welcome (€40 Annual Membership). Non-members welcome (€10 per night). Refreshments included.
CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS: This year’s auction was a great success again last weekend. With lots of items for sale and numerous vouchers as well as farm produce and firewood on sale, there was something for everyone. Many thanks to all including local businesses for their support through the various donations and to the crowd on the day who hopefully got many bargains! Thanks also to auctioneer David O’Connell. The proceeds of the auction are going towards the ongoing refurbishment of The Centre. Thanks again to all for their ongoing support.
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. Recent Results – Wednesday February 15th: First (N¦S) – Theresa Muldowney and Jimmy Ryan; Second (E¦W) tied – Theresa Phelan and Tony Dooley tie Pauline and John Bowe; Wednesday February 23rd: First (N¦S) – John and Pauline Bowe; Second (E¦W) – Theresa Phelan and Paddy Purcell.
ST. CANICE’S CREDIT UNION (DURROW): IMPORTANT NOTICE – We have been made aware of a scam text message circulating purporting to be from the Credit Union. It is claiming that your accounts have been either ‘placed on hold’, ‘blocked’ or ‘needs to be updated’ and is asking you to follow a link. St. Canice’s Credit Union will never contact you by text message asking you to click/tap on a link to verity your account. If you get such a text message – PLEASE DO NOT CLICK/TAP ON THE LINK!
IRISH WATER – CUSTOMER NOTICE: Customers are reminded not to dispose of wet wipes in their toilets. Why should you not 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.
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.
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 today 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 March 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 19th February 2023 were: First – Sean and Anna Burke; Joint Second – Alice Fitzpatrick and Paddy Lalor, John Dollard and Pa Maher, Dick Brennan and Michael Kells, Padraig and Noreen Ryan. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Padraig Ryan and Kevin Woulfe.
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.
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.
CHILDMINDER AVAILABLE: Childminder/BabySitter available to mind children of all ages – evenings and weekends. Have experience working with children and also have work experience in a crèche. as well as childminding for families. Can also provide references – if interested feel free to contact (087) 0605392.
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.
LAOIS GAA U20 COUNTY HURLING PANEL: Congratulations to Bobby, Cathal, Ciaran, Cody, Jim and Rory that made the Laois U20 Hurling Panel for 2023!
CONGRATULATIONS: Congratulations to Harps Player – Padraic Dunne on winning Fitzgibbon Cup Final with University of Limerick recently.
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB NEWS: Congratulations to our club player Alice Walsh on being selected as Vice Captain for the coming year for Laois.
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.
BEST WISHES – The very best of luck to Olivia Hovendan and Amelia Starnes who have joined Leauge of Ireland U17 outfit CK United. The girls have been ever present with the Lions underage teams since joining the Academy at under 8. Everyone at the club is proud of their achievements and wish both girls all the best for the future. Keep up the good work girls.
RESULTS – Junior League Division 1 Result: St Canices 2 V 2 Lions AFC. Scorers: Conor Deegan (pen) and Michael Monahan.
U10 Cup Result: Lions 7 V 2 Bridge Utd. Scorers: Brian Coonan X 2, James Dooley X 2, Danny O Neill X 2, Mark Thornton. Well done to our u10 boys team who were in flying form on Saturday morning February 18th.
ABBAESQUE CONCERT IN AID OF LIONS AFC: Due to Popular Demand Abbaesque are back for another epic night of Abba vibes! The concert will take place on Bank Holiday Saturday, 29th April at The Castle Arms Hotel in Durrow. Advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended – visit www.eventbrite.ie/e/abbaesque-tickets-539292687947 for more information.
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!
BRENDAN SHEERAN CUP – The club held a Pike Competition for the Brendan Sheeran Cup recently where we had a great turn out – Many Thanks to all involved. The winners were: First – Dylan McDonald; Second – Shane Donohue and Third – Seamus Stapleton. Well done to the Top Three – great work lads! We will be out again soon and hopefully it will be another good days fishing.
AGM REVIEW – The Club held its AGM recently and voted in its Committee and Club Officers for the new 2023 season. Chairman – Ollie Lawlor; Secretary – Darren Cooney; Treasurer – David Walsh. The Committee members are: Ian Drennan, Niall Donohue, Shane Donohue, Seamus Coffey, Tommy Coffey and Alan Dwyer.
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: Best of luck to Aoife Brophy who is taking part in the 70th USHA Handball Collegiates Nationals in Tucson, Arizona this week. Aoife is representing the University of Galway.
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.