NOTICE – CULLOHILL WATER SCHEME: We wish to advise that we are currently undertaking essential leak detection and repair works on the water network. This may result in intermittent service interruptions and reduced water pressure. The work is scheduled to last approximately one week. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and thank you for your understanding.
CONCERT IN BALLYOUSKILL THIS JULY: The Ballyragget-Ballyouskill Lourdes Fund are holding a fundraising Cabaret on Sunday 13th of July in the Wheel Inn, Ballyouskill. Music by ‘The Wicklow Man’. Door prize on the night and tickets are available from the usual outlets. Please support.
CELEBRATION OF APPRECIATION: In recognition of Dr Eilis & Pat Maher, Marie Egan and Mary Fogarty who have provided 30 years of dedicated service to the community, a celebration will be held in St Kierans Community Hall, Johnstown on the 5th of July at 8.30pm. All are welcome young and old. Refreshment on the night and music by Sweet Freedom.
LAOIS WALKS FESTIVALS: Laois Walks Festival 2025 takes place from Friday 4th July to Sunday 20th July 2025. The walks will take place over three weekends with twenty three guided walks across fourteen Laois Communities. With a Grade A, B, C and family friendly walks, there’s something for everyone. Discover Laois’s stunning scenery, rich heritage, and the warmth of its welcoming people. To view Laois Walks Festival 2025 schedule and book your place please visit: www.eventbrite.com/cc/laois-walks-festival-4379743 online. Local walks in the Cullohill and Newtown areas take place on July 4th and July 5th, then on to Durrow for July 6th.
SAVE THE DATE! Durrow Development Forum presents Durrow Goes To Hollywood at The Castle Arms Hotel in Durrow on Saturday November 1st 2025.
FOLLY FESTIVAL 2025: The Folly Festival 2025 Tickets Are Now On Sale! Get ready for this weekend (July 4th and 5th) at Cullohill Castle -packed with incredible live music, good vibes, and magic moments. Tickets available from Deegan’s (Centra) of Urlingford, Bergin’s Shop (Circle K), Cullohill and Dalton’s, Cullohill. Also, buy online at www.thefolly.ie – weekend tickets just €60, and remember, up to two under-14s go free with every ticket-holding adult! Visit our website for full details.
COOKERY DEMONSTRATION: Ballymaloe Chef and beloved TV personality Rory O’Connell is Coming Home once again — this time to help us mark a momentous milestone! As part of our Daytime Events on Saturday 5th July, Rory will take to the Main Stage in Nancy’s Yard with a special cookery demonstration, celebrating 600 years of Cullohill Castle with seasonal flavours and local charm. Join us for a weekend packed with music, culture, food, and Folly magic — right in the heart of Cullohill.
CELEBRATION OF 600 YEARS: The Folly Festival Celebrates the 600 year Anniversary of the building of Cullohill Castle in Nancy’s Yard on Saturday 5th July. Also this weekend there will be a Cullohill Mountain Walk, Children’s Playground, Artisan Markets, Food Cookery Events including Rory O’Connell, Dog Show, Vintage Car Show, Special History Showcase and Cake Cutting Event, Great Folly Bake, Cullohill Castle 600-year Celebration Cake Competition – in the Main Castle Marquee. Other Categories this year – Plate Tart – Traditional Brown Bread –
Children’s Cookies Category. Bring your bakes for judging at Mid-day. The winning celebration cake entry will have their cake cut at the
official ceremony at 3pm and receive the fantastic prize of Lunch for two followed by an Afternoon Cookery Course at the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in Co. Cork.
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.
SWAP AND SHARE STATION: Durrow Share and Swop station is located between Bowe’s and Sheppards, please feel free to take home a plant or to share a plant if you wish.
TIDY TOWNS FIVE MINUTE SWEEP! Reminder to take time to sweep outside your own home or business premises. Volunteers need your help!
CLIMATE CHANGE LEADERSHIP AWARDS 2025: APPLICATIONS OPEN! Ireland’s Climate Change Leadership Awards are delighted to announce applications are now open for Ireland’s Climate Change Leadership Awards 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your innovation and environmental initiatives on a national stage, and to be recognised as leading the charge for sustainability and fighting against climate change. With an easy application process and plenty of categories to choose from applying has never been easier – see https://www.iccla.ie/categories-iccla online. Choose one or multiple categories to showcase how and why your organisation or project should be recognised as one of the best. Find out more information on how to apply – full details at www.iccla.ie online.
THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS GROUP: We are now accepting new members for September 2025 in the following groups: Beavers – 6 years to 9 years; Cubs – 9 years to 12 years; Scouts – 12 years to 15 years; Ventures – 15 years to 17 years; and Rovers for 18 years and over. Also recruiting for New Leaders. Send an email with details to gldurrow@gmail.com for more information.
LAOIS PPN: Contact us, Monday to Friday by appointment only. You can also contact us by: Email: ppn@laoiscoco.ie Phone: (057) 8665661 (Office); (086) 0352107 Dan. You can also mail us to: Laois Public Participation Network, JFL Avenue, Lyster Square, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
LAOIS ARTS STRATEGY 2025 TO 2029: Laois Arts and Laois County Council are preparing the Laois Arts Strategy 2025 to 2029 and to assist in its delivery, we would like to hear from you. This is an opportunity for you to help us to understand priorities that may be able to assist us in the delivery of our new Arts Strategy. You (+ 1) can come to a one-to-one Meeting with the Consultant Vincent O’ Shea who is preparing the Strategy. See below the Schedule of Public Consultation Clinics at your Local Library. To book a twenty-minute Slot with Vincent email arts@laoiscoco.ie or telephone 057 8664033.
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. This is a local free and confidential service supporting those who need it to live well with cancer and also has services for their families.
CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE – CIRCUIT CLASSES: 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 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 22nd June 2025 were: First – Frances Darcy and Gerry Kelly; Second – Noel and Anthony O’Sullivan; Third – Martin Mahony and Seamus Brennan; Other Winners: John and Anne Maher. The winners of the raffle were: Noreen Ryan and Paddy Lalor.
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 – Thanks to everyone for your support during the year, also thanks to all our generous sponsors. Your generosity is much appreciated. See you all in September.
WHIST DRIVE: The Killermogh Whist Drive will be held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow on Thursday the 26th of September 2025 at 8pm. All are most welcome.
SET DANCING CLASSES: Set Dancing continues in The Wheel Inn Ballyouskill on Monday nights 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 6.10pm. Next meeting on Tuesday, 29th July – new members welcome.
Junior Book Club – the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 23rd July 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.
LAOIS LIVE LOCAL WEATHER: Visit www.durrow.ie/weather for live local weather data from Durrow. (Please note new website address)
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.
NUMBER FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL DURROW – LAST UPDATED JULY 2023: Please note that our confidential contact helpline number for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Durrow, is (083) 4056021.
CULLOHILL ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Cullohill St Vincent de Paul will hold a church gate collection next Saturday night June 21st, before Mass. Please support.
SYMPATHY is extended to the family and friends of Martin (Murt) Murphy, Tinweir, Durrow, Co. Laois on their recent bereavement.
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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.
CEMETERY MASSES 2025 DATES: Donaghmore, Ballyragget – Friday July 4th at 7.30pm; Rosconnell – Friday July 11th at 7.30pm.
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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!
LITTLE PUCKERS: Continues on Saturdays at 10:30am in the Astro-Turf Ball-Wall at our grounds in Durrow. All 4 and 5 year olds welcome to attend. If interested Contact Tadhg on 086 1081314. Bring a hurl and helmet if you have them but these are not essential, equipment also available.
LAOIS COURTS JUVENILE SPORTS SUPPORT: The Harps Juvenile club would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved in securing funding for our Juvenile GAA clubs. We are delighted to be receiving €3000 which will be used to purchase much needed equipment for our members from the Courts support fund. This funding is a huge boost to our young members and will be put to the best possible use to enrich their enjoyment of our Sports. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all involved, in particular Judge Andrew Cody, Chief Superintendent Tony Lonergan, Superintendent Declan Dunne, Sergeant Anita Scully and Garda Tommy Griffin for their role in the impending distribution of funds.
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB – TRAINING: Training for the U6s, U8s and U10s Juvenile players continues on Thursdays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in Cullohill. All are most welcome to join.
FOLLOW US ONLINE: Follow us on Social Media – www.facebook.com/HarpsCamogie
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: Well done to Tadhg Hennessy, MJ Muldowney, Liam Ellis, Will Muldowney and Ollie Delaney who traveled to Ulster to take part in the 2025 Feile Na nGael recently.
THE LIONS AFC CLUB: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025: Join us for our Annual General Meeting – no pressure, no commitment, just a great chance to hear what’s going on behind the scenes at Lions AFC. You don’t have to take a job or volunteer – just come along, meet the faces behind the club and have your say on how we move forward together. Whether you’re a player, parent, supporter, or just love local football – we’d love to see you at upstairs in Bob’s Bar this Sunday, July 6th at 6.30pm. All are most welcome.
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.
DURROW & CULLOHILL DISTRICT ANGLERS – MEMBERSHIP: Membership for the 2025 season can be got in the Gala Shop, Durrow and in Frans Fishing Shop, Mountrath.
KETTLEBELL CLASSES: Kettlebell and Bodyweight Training Classes for Beginners to Advanced. Ready to build strength, improve endurance, and transform your fitness? Whether you’re a total newbie or a seasoned pro, this class is designed for YOU! Learn proper kettlebell techniques, Master bodyweight exercises, Boost strength, flexibility, and stamina, Improve posture, Progress at your own pace. We meet at Durrow Community Hall (CYMS) every Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm and on Saturdays at 11am. Spots are limited! Reserve yours today.
OSSORY CYCLING CLUB: New members are always welcome – we leave the square in Rathdowney every Sunday morning around 10am. We have a beginners group heading out every Sunday morning at 10am from the square in Rathdowney too. Everyone is welcome to join us – all you need is a bike and helmet.