CULLOHILL-DURROW FLOWER CLUB: Cullohill and Durrow Flower Club are having a floral demonstration by Betty Cumiskey titled “All things Spring” in Cullohill Community Hall on Monday April 3rd next at 8pm. All welcome. Non members: €10 euro including refreshments.
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE 2023: Special thanks to all our Volunteers, Stewards, the Civil Defence, An Garda Siochána, St. Patrick, our Grand Marshals from Ukraine and to all to all the wonderful participants in the parade especially, just too many to individually name. You made it happen with your participation and we appreciate it and hope you all enjoyed the afternoon. Thanks also to The Harps Juveniles and The Harps Camogie for their matches, to Scoil Rince Katrina for the Irish Dancing displays and to Scatts and our traders, we enjoyed it all.
DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES: Durrow Community Services have vacancies for Environmental Workers, Office Administrator, Catering Assistant and Groundskeeper; location of positions in Durrow, Ballacolla and Cullohill. Please contact Astrid Andersson on andersson@durrowcs.com or call: 057 8736870.
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, and a very limited number of Early Bird tickets are still available! 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.
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 27th April 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 March 2023 were: Joint First – Larry Dunne and Paddy Dunphy; Chris Fitzpatrick and Kevin Woulfe; Joint Second – Sean and Anna Burke; Sean O’Sea and Gerry Kelly; Michael and Patsy Moran. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Willie Dunphy and Seamus Brennan.
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: Child minder required for 10 year old boy during school summer holidays, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 3.00pm, preferably in child’s own home, might suit 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.
SYMPATHY is extended to the family and friends of John Moylan, Barnhill, Durrow, Co. Laois on their recent bereavement. Peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny. Husband of the late Shiela. Deeply regretted by his loving children Marie, Michael, Patrick, Ann, Shiela, John and Martin. grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
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.
Congratulations – Congratulations to Bobby Murphy on winning a Senior Schools All-Ireland last St. Patrick’s Weekend with St Kieran’s Collage.
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.
Well Done – Congratulations and well done to our Harps girl Aoife Kirby on winning the Junior A Camogie All Ireland Final with Loreto Kilkenny last Wednesday – What a wonderful achievement Aoife and everyone in the club so proud of you!
Well done also to our underage players who took part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Durrow. They also took part in an Exhibition Match on The Green afterwards.
The future of Harps Camogie looks very bright with this bunch of girls.
Thank You – A special thank you to SuperValu in Ballragget for allowing us to bag pack in store on Thursday March 16th. Thank you to all the parents and players for getting involved and helping us start off our fundraising efforts for the year.
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: 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.
Result – U10 Gerry O Reilly Shield: Lions 2 v 5 Freebooters. Scorers – Darragh Staunton and Michael Gannon. Hard luck to our U10 boys Shield Team who fought back bravely from 2 nil down to level the game before the break. Unfortunately a strong Freebooters team had too much firepower in the second half. Hard luck boys and keep up the great work.
U10 Gerry O’Reilly Cup Quarter Final Result – Lions White 2 v 1 Stoneyford. Scorers – Michael Walsh and Patrick Shortall.
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 held their 2022 Awards Evening in Fawlty’s Pub in Durrow on St. Patrick’s evening and a big thanks to Trish and Mick for the venue – it was very much appreciated for your continued support during the year. Also a big thanks to Murfs Take Away for the lovely food they provided. A big thanks to all involved in organising the giftware and all the work that goes into it. The results were: Senior Angler of the Year – Shane Donohue; Senior Heaviest Pike of the Year – Shane Donohue; Senior Heaviest Trout of the Year – Darren Cooney; Grantstown Angler of the Year – David Walsh. Congratulations to Fred Townsend on winning the Same Cup three years in a row. A big thanks to all the Anglers for your commitment and support throughout the past year and best wishes to all as we begin our 2023 Season. 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!
RESULT: We the Club had a Pike Competition for the Mick Walsh Cup on St. Patrick’s Day. A tough day fishing and thanks to all anglers. Winners were: First – Seamus Stapleton; Second – Stuart Walsh and Third – Seamus Coffey. Well done lads, a great achievement.
RESULT: The Club held a Pike Competition on Sunday March 12th last and there was a fantastic turn out. Winners: First – Stuart Welsh; Second – Tommy Coffey and Third – Seamus Coffey.
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.