DURROW SCARECROW FESTIVAL 2023: Scarecrow Making: Would you like to get involved? Please join us on Mondays and Tuesdays from 7.30pm until 9pm and help us prepare for this year’s festival in the ICA hall, Patrick Street. If you’ve not made a scarecrow before, do come along, everyone has a skill or idea and we can all learn from each other.
THANK YOU: Thanks to everyone who came out to support Darkness into light reccently. Thanks to all the organisers, Musicians, Stewards, Lions AFC and Durrow Fire Service, you are amazing. Huge congratulations also to the younger participants, you rock and encourage everyone else. Well done! We wish Amy and all our friends in the Irish Pastrol Centre in Dorchester, Boston, USA, the best of wishes, they were five hours behind us so when we are bright and awake, they were just starting, we were with you all the way!
LEAFY LOOP WALK: Youth Volunteering – We’d like to give huge thanks to Eoghan and Conall Whelan who assisted in digitally mapping our Leafy Loop walk recently. You can now find the sections on MapRun which you can download on Apple or Android. This will be hugely helpful for walkers and runners alike. Well Done!
OUR LADY’S MEADOW PRIMARY SCHOOL: We the parents council are looking for photos and funny stories from the public over the last 40 years to celebrate this anniversary, we are hoping to make a calendar or booklet for the 40th anniversary. If anyone has any of the above could they please contact olm40years@gmail.com by email.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION: Information Talk on the State Pension – Our local Department of Social Protection officer will be in Rathdowney library on Wednesday 17th May at 3pm. This talk will benefit people who are some years in advance of their pension age as some people can lose out by not having sufficient knowledge about the system.
JOB ALERT: Comfort Homecare are Recruiting – Community Carers for the Elderly in Cullohill, Durrow & Rathdowney. IMMEDIATE START. Call (089) 244 7499 or email
supervisorlaois@comforthomecare.ie
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.
WANTED: A 3/4 Bedroomed house required in the Durrow or surrounding areas. References available. Phone (087) 3486976.
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!
DURROW TIDY TOWNS: Tidy Towns work nights are on Wednesdays from 7.00pm, all assistance is needed for weeding, planting and tidying up. If Wednesday’s don’t suit, please do take on a hidden hour to work at a time to suit you or consider adopting an area to maintain with some friends, we are happy to assist. Message us on social media or contact Fred on (087) 6892323.
CULLOHILL COMHALTAS: We are delighted to announce that there will be a Cullohill Comhaltas group starting in September 2023. This will be open and available to all members of our community (adults and children).
OPEN DAY: The Abbeyleix House and Farm Annual Family Day will take place on Saturday June 3rd 2023 from 11am until 5pm. Gather your family and friends and make your way to Abbeyleix! Let’s have a great time together doing a power of good as 100% of the proceeds go directly to our charities.
DURROW BRIDGE CLUB NEWS: Durrow Bridge Club continue 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.
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.
VOCEM DARÚ CHOIR: Would you enjoy an evening of song and entertainment? Vocem Darύ Choir will perform in The Castle Arms Hotel, on Thursday 18th May at 8.30pm. It is a concert to showcase the choir’s repertoire to family and friends. The choir would love to meet past members or anyone interested in joining the choir in September. Admission is free.
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 25th May 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 7th May 2023 were: Joint First – Dick Brennan and Michael Kells, Paddy Dunphy and Larry Dunne; Joint Second – Paddy and Tony Walsh, Joe McGill and Eddie Delaney, Pa Maher and John Dollard, Tommy Whyte and Patrick O Loughlin. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Larry Dunne and Liam Dunphy.
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 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.
ADULT ART GROUP – A self-led 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 6.10pm. Beidh fåilte röimh cupån tae a 61 agus cüpla focail Gaeilge a labhairt no a canadh.
CROCHET WORKSHOP – Ukrainian workshops taking place on Wednesdays May 17th, 24th and 31st at 11am. Call or email the library for more details.
LEGO FREEPLAY – Lego free play sessions will take place on Wednesday 17th May and Wednesday 24th May from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Suitable for ages 5+ with parent supervision at all times. Booking advised.
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.
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.
JOHNSTOWN KILKENNY: Johnstown Family Festival is back again for 2023 – save the date: 25th June 2023 in the Johnstown Sports Field. Live Music; The Dog Show; Hurling and Soccer Tournaments; Family Fun Games; Demonstrations; Mega Raffle; Craft Stalls and Food Market plus loads more fun! Hanging Tough is back! And this year we will be looking for “Johnstown’s Fittest Family”. Keep an eye out on the Facebook Page: Johnstown Kilkenny Community Town Team for further details – but you might want to start training for it now!
CHURCH NEWS: Parish Office – The Parish Office at the Presentation Centre beside the Church is open from 9.30am to 2pm on Weekdays. 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.
REVISED MASS HOURS: Effective from 9th September 2023 – Durrow and Rathdowney Parish Mass Times will be revised as follows: 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.
ADORATION: There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Cullohill Church every Thursday morning from 8.50am until 9.50am.
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.
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.
CONVERSATIONS WITH WOMEN IN THE BIBLE: A day to explore insights from their stories and God’s transforming presence in their lives. Speaker: Sr. Therese Fitzgerald SND. Venue: Ballyvaloo Centre, Blackwater, Co. Wexford on Friday May 12th or Pembroke Hotel, Kilkenny on Saturday May 13th. For more details please check out www.ssjg.org online.
THE LATE KIERAN O’SULLIVAN: The local community has been shocked and saddened by the death of Kieran O’Sullivan, The Showgrounds, Rathdowney. Kieran was an absolute gentleman and was an undertaker and had touched the lives of so many families in the area. Kieran died on 15th April at his home in Rathdowney. He is deeply regretted by his wife, Mary, and daughters Sarah and Louise. He is also regretted by his sisters Margaret Delaney (Gathabawn), Kay O’Connell (Loughmore), Ann Koch (Germany), Ellen Delaney (Cullohill), Rose Barrett (Ballyouskill), his mother in law Tessie Bell, uncle, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. His funeral Mass took place on April 19th last in the Church of Holy Trinity, Rathdowney, followed by burial in Bealady Cemetery. May Kieran’s gentle soul Rest In Peace.
SYMPATHY is extended to the family and friends of Michael Gaughan Jr, Mary Street, Durrow on their recent bereavement.
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.
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB NEWS: Follow us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/HarpsCamogie online for regular updates from the Club.
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.
SUMMER CAMP 2023 – The club will be hosting an FAI soccer camp this summer. If any club members or players are interested in being a coach at the camp, contact Brian on 085 7088511.
IMPORTANT NOTICE – Due to a flooding incident in the Ballroom of the The Castle Arms Hotel we have had to reschedule the Abbaesque Night from Saturday April 29th to Friday June 30th. All Tickets Purchased for April 29th are valid for June 30th. Tickets are still in High Demand so don’t leave it till last minute to purchase your tickets. If you wish to purchase tickets you can do so at the same link www.eventbrite.ie/e/abbaesque-tickets-539292687947 online.
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! 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!
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.