THE FOLLY FESTIVAL 2023: We are thrilled to announce our acts for the Folly Festival 2023, and what a fantastic line up! It promises to be another wild and wonderful weekend in July! The event takes place at Cullohill Castle on July 7th and 8th. See www.thefolly.ie online for all the details.
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.
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 verify 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.
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Business in Portlaoise looking for an administrator. Position requires an experienced person with an outgoing personality and good communication skills.
Must have their own transport due to location not being near public transport. Please email cv to jobs.portlaoise23@gmail.com
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.
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: Progressive 25 Card Game continues every Sunday night in Cullohill Community Centre at 8pm and all are most welcome. Winners on Sunday 12th March 2023 were: First – Padraig and Noreen Ryan; Joint Second – Tom Lawlor and William Carroll, Tommy Whyte and Patrick O Loughlin; Third – Johnny Kelly and Martin Mahony. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Pa Maher and John Mackey.
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.
WANTED: Childminder required for a 10 year old boy during school summer holidays, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 3.00pm, preferably in the child’s own home, might suit a student teacher. Please email interest to suzydelahunty1903@gmail.com
2023 ESB APPRENTICESHIPS: Applications for the ESB Networks Apprenticeship Programme are open since Monday 27th February and remain open until March 20th 2023! Visit www.careerservices.ie/apprenticeships online for more information.
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.
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.
Adoration of Blessed Sacrament – Adoration takes place in Rathdowney every Thursday. During Lent this will be after Mass at 10.30 until 12 noon. In Errill, Adoration is on Fridays from 10am to 12 noon.
Church Envelopes – Most of the Durrow envelopes have now been delivered but there are some still to be collected from the Church. If you don’t currently receive an envelope and would like to have one, please contact Darina in the office.
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 our Lenten journey.
Rebecca Storm Concert – St Fergal’s College, Rathdowney Presents Rebecca Storm in concert, featuring St Fergal’s College Choir. Tickets €25 are available from school office – 050546357. The concert takes place on Friday 31st March at 7.30pm in The Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Rathdowney.
Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2023 – Led by Most Rev Niall Coll, Pilgrimage Director Very Rev Anthony O’Connor. 23rd May for 5 Nights. €879 per person includes return flights and transfers, full board, taxes. A full religious programme facilitated in conjunction with the Diocese of Ossory. For information and bookings contact Joe Walsh
Tours (01) 2410800 or to info@joewalshtours.ie by email.
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.
ANNUAL MONSTER EASTER RAFFLE: In aid of The Harps GAA Juvenile club with the draw to take place at 5pm at Tommy Kenna Butchers, The Square, Durrow on Easter Saturday at 5pm. Lots of Great Prizes to be won. Tickets €5. and are available from any Juvenile Committee/Club Member. The list of prizes is as follows: First Prize – Overnight Stay for Two with Evening Meal in Killashee Hotel and Spa; Second Prize – DJ Auto’s Car Service to the Value of €200; Third Prize – Car Trailer of Hand Crafted Peat Moss; Fourth Prize – Framed Hurl Signed by All Ireland Club Champions 2023, Ballyhale Shamrocks; Fifth Prize – Easter Hamper; Sixth Prize – €100 Shopping Voucher; Seventh Prize – Environ Facial, Shellac & Eyebrow Groom by Sarah Palmer Beauticians; Eighth Prize – €50 Dunnes Nurseries Voucher; Ninth Prize – €50 Castle Arms Hotel Voucher; Tenth Prize – €40 McDonagh Junction Voucher; Eleventh Prize – TJ Reid Signed Hurl (Size 32″). A Special word of Thanks to All Our Sponsors. Please note – Anyone who would like a free Harps GAA Hoodie (New Season 2023 Version) can obtain one by selling a sponsorship card. Contact Enda on (087) 6348615 if you would like a card before March 22nd.
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB NEWS: Easter Camps – Laois Camogie will hold two camps at Easter from Tuesday April 4th to Thursday April 6th with a morning camp in Clonad from 9:30am to 12:30pm and an afternoon camp in St Fergal’s, Rathdowney from 2pm to 5pm. Camps will run for three hours over three days at a cost of €50 per child per camp. Laois Camogie players will coach on the camps & members of the Executive will manage the general running of the camps. All girls from 6-14 years of age are welcome to participate. All money raised goes back into Laois Camogie. Thank you for supporting Laois Camogie. To register, please visit: https://forms.office.com/e/nwhZcWmKyx online.
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: Get in contact with us by dropping a line to 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.
RESULTS: U11 David Doran Cup Quarter Final – Lions 3 V 3 Deen Celtic (Lions win 2-0 on penalties). Scorers – Harry Phelan X2, Frankie Carroll. A great win for our U11s recently and who now advance to the David Doran Cup Semi Final. After a thrilling 3 all draw both teams faced the dreaded penalty shoot out. Conor Campion and Frankie Carroll both slotted home their spot kicks and at the other end Taylor Mahoney had a 100% save rate stopping both of Deen Celtics spot kicks. Well done lads, keep up the good work and best of luck in the Semis!
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 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!
RESULTS – The Club held a Pike Competition on Sunday 12th March and there was a fantastic turn out on the day. Winners were: First – Stuart Welsh; Second – Tommy Coffey and Third – Seamus Coffey. Thanks to all anglers for taking part. We are out again on the 26th of March 2023.
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.