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 AND 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.
PHELAN’S FUNERAL HOME: Funeral Director Notice – Cessation of Business John Phelan, Durrow and Ballyragget. We wish to confirm that we will cease to operate as a funeral director from 31st March 2023. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the families who have used our service over the past number of years. It has been a privilege and an honour to have served you in what were often very difficult times. To all the people who assisted us in our business over the years, our embalmers, gravediggers, musicians and clergy we would like to say a big thank you. To our family we would also like to say thank you for all the assistance, encouragement and support which is so necessary in the operation of the funeral business.
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 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.
LOCAL ENTERPRISE WEEK LAOIS 2023: Local Enterprise Week takes place from the 6th to 10th March and features a full programme of events, taking place in person and online and are designed to support business owners in Laois. The full calendar of events are available at www.localenterprise.ie/laois online. Places are limited so early booking is advisable – for more details contact Local Enterprise Office Laois on (057) 8661800.
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.
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE 2023 IN DURROW: The Durrow St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2023 will take place 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.
KILQUAN DRAMA GROUP: Kilquan Drama Group’s Production for “One Final Night” of Comedy “Anyone Could Rob a Bank” by Thomas Coffey will be held on Saturday, 11th March, 2023 in Coon Hall at 8.00 pm. Eircode R93 EC89. Admission €10 – No Bookings Come Early.
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.
Results for the whist drive from the 23rd February – Top Score: Bernie Cahill; First Lady: Mary Gowing; Second Lady: Bridie Kennedy; First Gent: Tom Gowing; Second Gent: Billy Jackson; Qrts: Cissie Collier, Tom Lalor, Enid Wallace, Johanna McCartney and Ann Person. The Raffle winners were: Cissie Collier, Kathleen Kennedy, Sean Carroll, Johanna McCartney and Ray Seale.
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 26th February 2023 were: First – James and Veronica Muldowney; Second – Kevin Woulfe and Phil Doheny; Joint Third – Sean O’Shea and Gerry Kelly, Jim Walsh and John Mooney, Emmett and Anne Fitzpatrick. The Raffle Winners on the night were: William Gorman and John Farrell.
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.
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.
THANK YOU – The Harps Table Quiz: Our table quiz was a great success last Friday night with forty two tables. A special thank you to Quizmaster David Finnegan, the Castle Arms Hotel for hosting and everyone who turned out to support.
WELL DONE – Well done to former Harps player Peter Mcgree who was part of the Brian Borus hurling team that won the over 40s American championships last weekend in the hurling stronghold of Las Vegas, Nevada. Peter is still a keen supporter of the The Harps from his base in Phoenix!
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB NEWS: Intermediate Team – Well done to our Intermediate team who won their second Leinster League Game against Kill on Sunday February 26th last.
U16 Laois – Well done to our Harps girls Aoife, Catherine, Orla, Lorraine and Eimear in defeating Offaly 3-08 to 0-05 in the first round of the U16A provincial championship.
Well Done – Well done to Aoife Kirby on qualifying for the Junior A Schools All Ireland Final with Loreto on Saturday February 25th. Best of luck in the final Aoife this coming weekend!
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 – Skechers National Cup U14 Last Sixteen: Crosshaven 3 V 4 Lions AFC. Scorers: Sean Dempsey (X3), Conor Dempsey. What a game, what a result… Huge congratulations to our U14s who progressed to the last eight of the National Cup after a brilliant game of football in Crosshaven, Co. Cork last Sunday week. The huge support in attendance from both teams were served up with a cracking match that wasn’t good for the nerves! Both teams played brilliant attacking football from the off with Sean Dempsey on fire for the Lions up front bagging himself a hat-trick.
The boys went two nil up before Crosshaven to their credit firing three quick goals to lead 3 – 2 with fifteen minutes remaining. The Lions boys never panicked and battled their way back with a penalty converted by Sean Dempsey and then Sean rounded the keeper to slot high into the roof of the net with seven mins remaining to give the Lions the lead. The Lions supporters who travelled in big numbers were on the edge of their seats as the minutes ticked by, but as the final whistle sounded there was scenes of joy from players, parents and supporters alike. It’s a fantastic achievement from all involved. Well done to all. A big thanks to Crosshaven FC for the refreshments after the game.
RESULT – Skechers National Cup U15 Last Sixteen: Lions AFC 2 V 2 Carraigtowhill. Scorers: Ciaran McMenamin and Eoin Delaney. AET (Carraigtowhill win 4-2 on penalties). Hard luck to our young Lions last Saturday week who bowed out of the National Cup after getting to the last sixteen in Ireland. The boys were just pipped at the post by a good Carraigtowhill side from Co. Cork. Carraig went through after a nervous penalty shootout for both sides. The club are very proud of these fine young boys and the future is certainly bright going forward. We would like to wish Carraigtowhill all the very best in the last eight and hope they go on further in the competition.
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!
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.