May 19th 2024

A night time view of 'The Pound' which is an amenity area at the junction of the Derry Road and Carrigan Street Upper along the N77 Route.SECONDARY SCHOOL JOHNSTOWN – VIABILITY SURVEY: Many thanks to everyone who responded to our recent survey. We are currently collating the responses and this soon will be presented to TFI. We will keep you informed of any progress, and hopefully we can effect the change required.

DARKNESS INTO LIGHT 2024: The Harps GAA Club and The Harps Camogie would like to thank everyone who took part in the Darknes into Light held recently. The event was very well attended.

THE FOLLY FESTIVAL 2024: The Folly Festival 2024 will take place on July 5th and 6th in the beautifully intimate venue, known as Nancy’s Yard, beneath the towering ruins of historic Cullohill Castle. Anticipation is already growing, following on from the huge success of the sellout Folly Festival in 2023, where acts such as Lyra, Lea Heart, Robert Grace and Chasing Abbey, along with the best up and coming talents on the Irish music scene, wowed the crowds over two glorious nights.
All proceeds from the Folly Festival are used by the organisers Cullohill Community Council for Village renewal projects along with donations to local Schools, Clubs and Societies.
The concerts will be punctuated by Saturday’s Daytime Events, with the Family Trad Event in Nancy’s Castle. Led by the fantastic Dooley Brothers who take to the Castle Stage at 2pm along with a packed schedule of  children’s entertainment, Artisan Food & Craft Fayre, vintage cars, a dog show, an art exhibition and so much more. Festival tickets are not required to take part in the daytime events, and everyone is welcome to attend!
LINE-UP FOR 2024: Headlining the Folly Festival on Friday night is Darren Kiely, the Irish singer-songwriter who has accumulated three million global streams and has sold-out headline shows at Rockwood Music Hall and Mercury Lounge in NYC, while The Scratch – currently one the most talked about bands in the country signed to Sony Music and garnering a huge fan base as they tour the US and Canada – will headline Saturday.
Róisín O a firm favourite on the festival circuit, has most recently toured Ireland, the UK and Australia in the wake of her chart-topping album Courageous, and Dea Matrona, an all-female trio from Belfast who have amassed over 5.7 million views on YouTube and secured a number one on both the UK and Ireland iTunes chart will also join the lineup of Oscar Blue, Jessica Doolan, Saibh Skelly, Paddy Keys, Dooley Brothers, Cullohill Comhaltas, Garda Band and many, many more over the festival weekend.
VENDORS: The Folly Festival at Cullohill would like to open for expressions of interest for vendors at the Saturday Artisan Foods and Craft Market on the Rocks at The Folly Festival on July 6th. Please send details along with confirmation of insurance to thefollyfest@gmail.com and we will send details by return mail.

DURROW SCARECROW FESTIVAL 2024: We’ve the last few trading spaces available for this year’s Durrow Scarecrow Festival. You will need your own insurance, gazebo and indemnity to us. Thanks to everyone who has booked so far, we’re updating to advise that we are now fully booked out for Sweets, Toys, Hot food, Jewellery, Candles, Soaps and Art. If you’ve craft or something different and would like to showcase what you have, then Durrow is the place to do so with a nationwide and international audience. You’re welcome to trade with us in Durrow! Please send us with photos of products you’d like to trade on scarecrow@durrow.ie by email.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY: Are you interested in starting your own outdoor nature-based childcare business but haven’t been able to because of the high costs associated with purchasing land or overwhelming rent prices? We have a beautiful spot with indoor and outdoor space, situated close to Durrow, Co Laois, beside the forest. We would like to offer this space to the right person to run a mostly outdoor childcare facility. More and more outdoor childcare options are popping up all around the country. Outdoor, nature based ECCE or Forest School is not yet available in our area and we have a real shortage of childcare/after school facilities. We would be willing to offer our space to someone who is qualified to run a project like this. We would like to hear from you if you have: • A keen interest in self-directed, play-based education;
• A genuine love for the outdoors and nature-based activities; • Are qualified to run your own childcare business. Please get in touch if you are interested in exploring this opportunity further by calling (087) 9265423.

LAOIS LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE: We have some great training opportunities coming up for Laois based businesses. Contact us for more details and to book your place today. If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of our supports then please do not hesitate to contact us by email localenterprise@laoiscoco.ie or by phone on (057) 866 1800.

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE – CIRCUIT CLASSES – running in The Centre every Tuesday and Thursday at 8.00pm with instructor Richie Saunders. Further details from any committee member.

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 May 2024 were: First – Vera Brennan and Willie Gorman; Joint Second: Pat and Terry Dunne, Jim Walsh and John Mooney, Anthony and Margaret Phelan, Sean and Anna Burke. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Michael Kells and Anthony O Sullivan.

DURROW TIDY TOWNS: 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!

BALLYOUSKILL 25s CARDS GAME – Ballyouskill 25s Cards continues in Ballyouskill Community Hall on the last Friday of the month at 8pm. Our next game is May 31st.

WHIST DRIVE: The Killermogh Whist Drive is held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow. The Next Whist drive is on Thursday the 23rd of May 2024 at 8pm. All are most welcome.

DURROW BRIDGE CLUB: Club meetings have now ended for the Summer season. We will be back in October.

DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES: Durrow Community Services currently have the following vacancies: 5 positions as an Environmental Worker in Durrow; 1 position as Groundskeeper in Durrow; 1 position as an Environmental Worker in Cullohill; 1 position as Catering Assistant in Durrow; 1 position as an Environmental Worker in Ballacolla. As per the Department of Social Protection requirements, the positions are 19.5 hours per week and must be on a Social Welfare payment for a minimum of 12 months to apply. Please contact Astrid Andersson on 057 8736870 or andersson@durrowcs.com for further information.

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 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.

GRINDS AVAILABLE: Experienced primary school teacher available for grinds. Suitable for all primary aged children. Junior Infants to 6th class. Contact (087) 1344713 for more information.

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 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.
ADULT BOOK CLUB – The next meeting will be held on Tuesday the 28th of May at 6.10pm. New members welcome – call or email the library for more details.
CROCHET WITH COURTNEY – A Crochet Workshop will begin on the 22nd of May at 2pm. Booking Essential.

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.

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.

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.

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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 September 20th to 22nd 2024. For more details visit www.grasta.org or contact info@grasta.org by email.

Parish Shops – Both parish shops have a new range of gifts in stock for First Communion, Christenings and other events. Candles, Rosary Bracelets, Crosses & Chains, Rosary Beads, Bibles, Grave Ornaments. Come in and have a look!
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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!
UNDER 7s TRAINING: Harps Under 7s training continues on Fridays from 6pm to 7pm at the Ball Wall in the Durrow Grounds. This training is open to all Junior and Senior Infants boys.
SUMMER CAMP 2024! Save the Date – The Harps Juvenile GAA Camp will be held from August 19th to August 23rd. Open to all Primary school children. Our camp will be run by our games development officer along with our coaches and a select few players. This is open to boys and girls and will cater for both codes, hurling/camogie and football.
U13 HURLERS: Well done to our U13 Hurlers who travelled to Faugh’s GAA on May 12th last and competed well in the Cup Tournament under glorious weather conditions for hurling. The lads were most unlucky to loose out on a final spot owing to scoring differences. Well done to all the players who hurled brilliantly on the day. Our sincerest thanks to Faugh’s GAA club who were wonderful hosts – it was really appreciated by all in attendance.

THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB: Our Adult Junior and Intermediate teams are back training and looking to build on the success of last year. All players young, old and new are more than welcome to join us. We are training on Wednesdays at 7:30pm in Cullohill pitch. If you want more details about joining contact The Harps Camogie Club’s Facebook page.
JUVENILE TRAINING: U6, U8 and U10 training is back on Thursdays at the Juvenile Pitch in Durrow at 6:30pm – all are most welcome.
TRAINING: U12 and U14 training continues on Thursdays at 6:30pm at the ball wall in Durrow. All new members are welcome to come along and give it a go.
FAUGH’S CAMOGIE TOURNAMENT: Well done to our U13 girls who went up to Faughs GAA last Sunday for their U13 tournament. They had a great day out and got to play against teams from across the country.

CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB – GET IN TOUCH! Hard luck to Orla Brophy and Leah Ryan who lost out in the GU17 Final at the 60×30 Nationals played last weekend. Great performances on the day and the girls where unlucky to lose out in a tie-breaker.
Girls 17 & Under – Gusserane
Byrne/Jordan dft. Tracey/Delaney 15-3, 15-9
Ryan/Brophy dft. Tracey/Delaney 15-8, 15-9
Final:
Byrne/Jordan dft. Ryan/Brophy 15-10, 0-15, 11-2
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.
U11 GIRLS – Our U11 Girls qualified for the final of the Cup last Thursday night (May 16th) winning against a very good Freebooters team.
Freebooters started very strong taking a 1-0 lead. But our girls were resilient in defence from that point forward with another brilliant display in goal from our keeper Jolie. We went in 1-1 at half time after a well worked goal and probably unlucky not to have a second goal as Margarets strike burst off the crossbar. The second half started off tight again with a lot of pressure from Freebooters but our girls worked the counter-attack well and were rewarded halfway through the second half with another brilliant goal. The girls had to dig in deep and defend as Freebooters threw the kitchen sink at them in search of an equalizer. Well done to Jolie who pulled off lots of great saves in what was a hectic period that felt like it went on forever! However, the final whistle did arrive and the girls held on to their 2-1 lead. Well done girls, yea were absolutely fantastic on the night and the very best of luck on the final!!!
U13 BOYS – Division 1A League Result: Lions 1 V 0 Freebooters Boys. Scorer: Paddy Cleary. A great team performance from our U13s in Durrow on Thursday night May 9th last. The lads left it late to get the winner. Paddy Cleary with a superb header after a great cross from Liam O Sullivan. Well done lads keep up the good work.

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!

LAOIS KAYAK AND CANOE CLUB: Last Sunday we had a super day at the Liffey Descent. Lots of water, sun, craic and medals too! Well done to all our club members on completing the 32km race and to those who helped out with safety. Thanks to all the team at Canoeing Ireland for making it a memorable day. You can contact us on info@laoiskayak.com by email.