DURROW SCARECROW FESTIVAL 2024: The final day was held on Bank Holiday Monday (August 5th) and the organisers would like to thank all the visitors, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, entertainers, musicians and traders for making it another very special nine-day event. All of the festival’s nine-days were well attended as thankfully the weather was dry and warm for the first eight days with the final day seeing some light rain, but that didn’t keep the crowds away.
The scarecrow championship was won with ‘Wonderly Wagon’ by Bobs Bar; In the Open General Category – First Prize was shared by ‘Miracle of Mallow’ and ‘Wild Lights of Durrow’; Third Prize: ‘The Scared Crow’; Highly Commended: ‘The Human Race’; In the Most Humorous Category – First Prize: ‘Back to the Future’; Second Prize: ‘Why did the Chicken cross the Road’; Third Prize – ‘I’m Legless’; In the Most Topical Category – First Prize: ‘The Crows have reason to Celebrate’; Second Prize: ‘The Presidential Race’; Third Prize: ‘Arrive Alive’ In the School and Pre-School Category – First Prize: ‘Off to School’; In the Youth (U16) Category – First Prize: ‘Circular Sam’; Second Prize: ‘Elvis’; Third Prize: ‘Skibidi Toilet Rizzler’; Highly Commended: ‘Humpty Dumpty’; In the Youth with Adult Assistance Category – First Prize: ‘Instrawed Out’; Second Prize: ‘Tay Tay’; Third Prize: ‘Little Miss Muffet’; In the Sustainability, Waste Reduction and Climate Change Category – First Prize: ‘Mike and the Mechanics’; Second Prize: ‘Eamon Ryan the Re-Return Leprechaun’; Third Prize: ‘Looking out for our Future’. Well done to all the winners and indeed all who participated in making and entering a scarecrow!
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DOG WALKERS – LEAFY LOOP WALKS! We are again reminding people that ALL dogs must be kept on a lead, without exception on the Leafy Loop in Durrow, this includes Dunmore, Clonageera, Bishops Wood, Derry Wood, Knockatrina and The Course. The Leafy Loop traverses across Coillte Woodlands and Farmlands with protected species and farm animals. Your Dog is not an exception to be left off a lead.
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 4th August 2024 were: First – Anthony and Noel O’Sullivan; Joint Second – Chris Fitzpatrick and Ollie Clooney, Joe McGill and Eddie Delaney. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Margaret Doheny and Jim Walsh.
DURROW TIDY TOWNS: If you would like to be added to our volunteer WhatsApp group, please text Add me to TT volunteers on 086 3657833 – many thanks!
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!
FOOD CLOUD: We were absolutely thrilled to be involved with this Food Cloud talk at this years Durrow Scarecrow Festival. It was very informative and interesting to listen to and with a bonus after the talk of freshly cooked food saved and absolutely delicious – well done all!
THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS – Our Beaver and Cub Scout sections are currently at capacity for leader Ratios. If you are considering volunteering, love the outdoors and learning new skills then please consider joining the scout group. Email gldurrow@gmail.com with any questions or to put your name forward.
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 August 30th.
WHIST DRIVE: Club meetings have now ended for the Summer season. We will be back in September.
DURROW BRIDGE CLUB: Club meetings have now ended for the Summer season. We will be back in October.
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.
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.
IRISH CIRCLE (Ciorcal Comhrá) – The Irish Circle group meets in the library on Tuesdays at 6.10pm. Beidh fáilte róimh cupán tae agus cúpla focail Gaeilge a labhairt no a canadh.
CROCHET CLASS – Meet Courtney in the library every Wednesday at 2pm for crochet classes. Call or email the library for more details.
ADULT BOOK CLUB – The next meeting will be on Tuesday 27th August at 6.10pm. New members welcome – call or email the library for more details.
HERITAGE WEEK: Making Medieval Ring Brooches – to celebrate Heritage Week, children will get the chance to create medieval ring brooches with Donna Gilligan from Scéal Heritage on Wednesday, 21st of August at 12:45pm. Suitable for ages 7 to 13 years. Booking essential – call or email the library directly.
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.
Call in to us today – we have now relocated to the Daybreak Store on The Square.
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 and 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!
LOCAL CEMETERY MASS: Cemetery Mass will be held on Sunday 1st September at 11.15am in Durrow Cemetery.
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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! August 19th to 23rd 2024. The camp will run from 10am to 2pm for children born prior to 2017 and up to sixth class. The cost is €60.
The camp will also run for children born in 2017, 2018 and 2019 from 10am to 12pm midday. The cost is €30 for this camp.
Our camp will be run by our Games Development Officer along with our coaches and a selection of players. This is open to boys and girls and will cater for both codes – football and hurling/camogie.
Registration: You must register your child by the 1st of August and can do so by WhatsApp or Text to Lar on (086) 6091622. Please include Child’s name, Child’s class and contact details along with any special medical requirements.
Payment can be made by Revolut to Lar on (086) 6091622 or in cash on the Monday morning of the Camp.
Queries – Any queries can be made to Lar on (086) 6091622, Podge on (087) 9755876, Enda on (087) 6348615 or Brendan on (086) 3062801.
CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations to Tony Mahony as he came Third in the All-Ireland Poc Fada on Bank Holiday Monday last!
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.
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: GET IN TOUCH – 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.
NEW SEASON AHEAD! Our Junior Teams are now looking for expressions of interest for players playing in both our junior squads for the coming 2024/25 season. Please call 087 9173695 for more details.
APPEAL: Are you interested in getting involved with any of our teams? Our club is growing and goes from strength to strength each year but we cannot continue to grow without vital coaches and volunteers. If you or someone you know is interested in a coaching role, be it in a lead role or as part of a backroom team please get in contact with us. Lions AFC will support all coaches with their development pathways, this includes full assistance with Garda Vetting and Child Safeguarding requirements. If you are interested please reach out to us today on lionsafc@gmail.com by email or message our Facebook page and someone will get back in touch.
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, Lawlor’s 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 CLUB – You can contact us on info@laoiskayak.com by email.