DURROW TIDY TOWNS – EASTER DRAW: Fundraising for this year’s planting and projects, three luxury hampers to be won, tickets €2 each or three for €5. Tickets are available in the post office and from committee members.
DURROW TIDY TOWNS: Durrow Sustainable Energies Committee (SEC), do you want to reduce your heating bills by improving your energy efficiency? Durrow SEC are looking for 10 homeowners to jointly invest in attic and cavity wall insulation. Often these are the most cost effective upgrades made to a house. By pooling houses together we hope to benefit from economies of scale, resulting in reduced costs for each homeowner, grants of up to €, are available. To participate or if you need further information, please email:- secdurrow@gmail.com
Adopt an Area – is there an area in Durrow you’d like to adopt? After our Bronze Win in 2023 and our biggest ever points jump, we need help over the coming months as we aim for a Silver Medal for Durrow in the 2024 National Tidy Towns Competition. If the volunteer days don’t suit you, would you like to adopt an area to weed, sweep, water, clean and keep tidy this year? Let us know on 087 9626350 or message our facebook page. If you would like to be added to our volunteer WhatsApp group, please text Add me to TT volunteers on 086 3657833 – many thanks!
UNWANTED TEDDIES: We are grateful to be able to fundraise through the Scarecrow Festival for Tidy Towns projects and it seems early but if any of you or your children’s friends children are finished with Teddy Bears – can you please keep the festival for the prizes on your mind. Charity shops don’t take Teddies anymore and it would be great if anyone has any that they could put in the washing machine and dry over the coming months as the weather gets better. They are always a great and ‘old fashioned’ hit with visitors and a fantastic way to recycle into a circular economy whilst also helping with fundraising for Tidy Towns. Thanks everyone! You can message us directly on Facebook or contact 087 9626350 for any queries.
NATIONAL TREE WEEK – As part of National Tree week, we had the privilege of joining the students and teachers of our local Primary Schools, Our ladies Meadow of Durrow and Scoil Tighearnach Naofa of Cullahill, in a little tree planting ceremony to help promote National Tree Week 2024. The event was well received by all, and there was no shortage of volunteers to help out with the planting of trees. We had a Q & A session which went down well with both students and Dunnes Garden Centre Staff members Anthony and Catherine who insist there are clearly a good number of budding young gardeners in both schools! We would like to thank the students and teachers of both schools for including us as part of National Tree week, and hopefully see you all again next year.
PHELAN’S TOPLINE: Spring has arrived – call in for all your gardening and maintenance products, from compost to gardening tools to Green Algae and Moss removers, flowers and seeds, all available in store. Lawnmowers, Strimmer’s, Hedge trimmers all in stock! Building material, tools and machinery all at competitive pricing. Thinking of painting inside or outside this year? Make sure and call in to our paint counter for lots of helpful advice. Thanks to all our valued customers for supporting local and keeping local business in the town.
LIVE WELL EXPO: All roads lead to Portlaoise College on Thursday the 4th of April for the return of the Live Well Expo. The first running of this event in April last year saw crowds of almost 1000 attend the health and well-being event. The event is a joint initiative by Age Friendly & Healthy Laois, in response to what they heard during consultations – the need to be aware that support and services are available. This event brings support and services in person to Portlaoise college, so that you can have a chat, receive advice and be directed to the support required. The event is to be opened once more by Laois’ age friendly ambassador, the ever energetic and positive Anna May McHugh.
Already we have more than exhibitors confirmed to attend. Among the new stands ths year are national groups such as the Road Safety Authority, who will also be speaking, and the Decision Support Service. The Healthy Age Friendly Homes team will be there again so come along to meet them, and your Laois co-ordinator, who is now in place. The Health Service Executive will have a number of their services and supports represented on the day as will local community groups, such as pride of place winners Vicarstown, Stradbally and Timahoe activity
and wellness hub.
Overall, the exhibitors all have a common theme – supporting you to live well in Laois. The stands on the day will give attendees the opportunity to meet social, health, community and technology support in person and have those interactions that just don’t happen online. for a full listing of stands, see www.laois.ie online. We are asking individuals, as well as groups to register their attendance this year in order that we can plan for catering and parking.
Register by phone: Call or text Emma on 086 0665215 or email eoconnor@laoiscoco.ie – Call, Text or WhatsApp Tom on 086 0363426 or email tcurran@laoiscoco.ie for further information.
DURROW DEVELOPMENT FORUM – READY TO RUMBLE! We are getting Ready To Rumble with a very special fundraising event! Family Friendly Grand Slam Wrestling comes to The Castle Arms Hotel, Durrow on Saturday 6th April 2024 at 7pm. WWE style entertainment for ALL the family to enjoy. Get ready to Cheer the Good Guys and Boo the Baddies as we crown the King of the Ring! Tickets €15, available to buy at durrowscarecrowfestival.com/community-shop/ online. (Fundraising event with the proceeds going to building the Durrow Community Hub)
SLIME WORKSHOPS! For kids aged 5 to 9 years old at 9.30am and for kids aged 9 to 12 years old at 11am at Bob’s Bar on March 23rd, also April 6th and April 13th. Each session is 1 hour. Contact Ruth on 087 2158319 or to ruthcampion@hotmail.com by email.
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 10th March 2024 were: First – Terry and Pat Dunne; Second – Sean and Anna Burke; Third – Patsy and Michael Moran. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Martin Mahony and William Carroll.
BALLYOUSKILL 25s CARDS GAME – Ballyouskill 25s Cards continues in Ballyouskill Community Hall on the last Friday of the month at 8pm. Usual prizes and a raffle on the night. The next game will be held on Friday the 29th of March 2024 at 8pm sharp. All are welcome.
WHIST DRIVE: The Killermogh Whist Drive is held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow. The Next Whist drive is on Thursday 21st March 2024 at 8pm. All are most welcome.
DURROW BRIDGE CLUB: Club meetings continue on Wednesdays at 7.30pm in the Castle Arms Hotel. All are most welcome.
NATIONAL LOTTERY GOOD CAUSES AWARDS: The National Lottery Good Causes Awards is now open for applications. The competition will culminate with a National Final awards ceremony which will take place on the 12th of October 2024 in Killashee House Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare. For more information and to enter, please go to https://www.lottery.ie/good-causes-awards online.
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 and dispel the winter evening blues while helping to keep fit.
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.
THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS – Our Beaver and Cub Scout sections are currently at capacity for leader Ratios. If you are considering volunteering, love the outdoors and learning new skills then please consider joining the scout group. Email gldurrow@gmail.com with any questions or to put your name forward.
SPACES: Beaver (6-8 yrs) and Cubs (9-11yrs) have limited spaces available. Please email gldurrow@gmail.com to register.
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!
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.
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.
ADULT ART GROUP – An adult 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 6pm. Beidh fáilte róimh cupán tae agus cúpla focail Gaeilge a labhairt no a canadh.
LEGO FREE PLAY – Lego Free Play will be held in the library every Wednesday afternoon in March from 2pm to 4pm. Children are welcome with parent/guardian supervision.
CRAFT TABLE – There will be self-lead parent/child craft tables set up in the library on Wednesday the 20th of March from 2pm to 4pm each date.
TREASURE HUNT – A special Library Treasure Hunt as Gaeilge will be available all day on Wednesday the 27th of March!
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.
HEDGE-CUTTING BAN: Under the Wildlife Act, it is against the law to cut, burn or otherwise destroy vegetation including hedges between 1st March and 31st August, with few exemptions. The reason for the hedge-cutting ban is to stop disturbance and destruction of nesting sites
of many wild bird species. Learn more at www.birdwatchireland.ie/hedgecutting online.
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.
——-
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.
Grásta – Preparing for Marriage? Weekend residential courses available from April 26th to 28th and September 20th to 22nd 2024. For more details visit www.grasta.org or contact info@grasta.org by email.
Lent Tweets – Follow @OssoryDiocese for a simple thought each day during Lent. Have your timeline prompt you to pause each day to be reminded of your Lenten journey.
Ministers of God’s Word – The event will be held at St Kierans College, on Wednesday the 20th of March at 8pm on the night.
——-
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.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED: For conversational English! No experience necessary. All are welcome. Location & Times: Rathdowney on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays (TBD) from 10am till 12pm. Contact Olena on (087) 9131236 for more information.
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!
NOTICE – The pitch in Durrow recently got remedial work done at the town end. It will be unavailable for at least the next three weeks – depending on prevailing weather conditions. Training can continue from outside 30 meters from the town end. This will be in effect until future notice.
NEW GDO: The Harps along with support from Laois GAA have successfully acquired a G.D.O. (Games Development Officer) for the coming year. This will enable us to teach kids the skills of the game in both Parish schools as well as club based programs.
APPEAL – We are looking for old hurls and old helmets which can be dropped off at the Clubhouse at any time.The condition of the hurls/helmets is not important as we will try to refurbish them and put them to good use for our young and upcoming Hurling and Camogie players.
LAOIS GAA – County Board Draw Tickets: The Harps GAA Club appeals to everyone to support the Annual County Board Draw which is a massive fundraiser for the Club. Tickets are currently on sale from all committee members and adult players until March 27th. Why not buy one in conjunction with a friend? There are lots of prizes to be won with a massive €10,000 top prize in each of the four monthly draws which take place on the first Fridays in April, May, June and July.
JUVENILE CLUB: The Harps Juvenile Draw – This year marks the 40th anniversary of our club. To mark the occasion the Juvenile club will be having their draw on the May Bank Holiday Weekend instead of our normal Easter Draw. As always some great prizes are on offer in the raffle.
Any juvenile member who sells a card will get a free retro jersey which is based on our first jersey when the club was formed. We appeal to everyone to support the juveniles and best of luck in the draw.
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB: Follow all the latest news from the club at https://www.facebook.com/HarpsCamogie online.
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.
DURROW AND CULLOHILL DISTRICT ANGLERS: 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!
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2024 – Due to unseen circumstances the AGM planned for February 23rd was cancelled until further notice.
LAOIS KAYAK AND CANOE CLUB: Our Adult Kayaking Beginners Courses are now open for booking through Eventbrite. Each course is run over two weekend half-day sessions commencing on Saturday 13th April. Choose between either the morning or afternoon course. The programme includes both Laois Kayak and Canoeing Ireland membership for 2024 and a level two kayaking skills award assessment. Places are limited. You can book your place at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/o/laois-kayak-and-canoe-club-13145804968 online.
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.