CHRISTMAS PARTY: Cullohill Community Centre will host their Annual Christmas Party on Friday December 29th from 9pm ’till late. Over 18s only. Tickets €10. Music by Ali D. Only drinks purchased at the venue can be consumed. (Subject to licence). All monies raised will be used to pay down the debt owed on the recently completed Centre extension. Tickets are on sale in most local businesses and from members of the committee. All are most welcome.
NATIONAL SOCIAL ENTERPRISE POLICY: On the 7th of December last, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, T.D. launched a public consultation to further inform the development of Ireland’s new National Social Enterprise Policy. This is the final stage of the consultation process which included six regional consultation events, the receipt of written submissions from stakeholders, and bilateral meetings between officials drafting the new policy and key stakeholders, representative groups, Government Departments and public bodies. If you would like to share your views and any ideas for a title for the new policy document email your submission to: seconsultation@drcd.gov.ie with “Social Enterprise Policy 2023/2024” in the title. The consultation remains open until January 31st 2024. For more information please visit https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/93961-national-social-enterprise-policy-for-ireland-closing-phase-public-consultation/ online.
ABBEYLEIX AND KILLERMOGH PARISH: The Abbeyleix South National School is advertising for a part time secretary. Full ad is on EducationPosts.ie Online.
HEYWOOD COMMUNITY SCHOOL: Cleaning position available in Heywood Community School, Ballinakill, Co. Laois. Please apply with C.V. and cover letter to principal@heywood.ie – Any enquires to email above.
OUR LADY’S MEADOW PRIMARY SCHOOL: Our Lady’s Meadow Primary School Durrow are currently accepting applications for admission to Junior Infants for the school year 2024-2025. The closing date for completed applications is Monday, 8th of January 2024. Please ensure you apply before the closing date as last year we were oversubscribed. The school’s Admission Policy, Annual Admission Notice and Application Forms are available on the school website www.ourladysmeadow.org via email from ourladysmeadowschool@gmail.com or from the school by phone on (057) 8736329.
DURROW TIDY TOWNS NEWS – Take a little piece of Durrow home with you, or buy the perfect gift for that someone special! Durrow 2024 Calendar now available featuring photographs of our beautiful Georgian village, all in support of Durrow Tidy Towns. Can also be purchased locally in shops and businesses in Durrow and will be on sale at the Saturday Market in the CES office. The calendar can also be purchased directly from any of our committee which includes Fred Townsend, Mary Thornton, Tom or Kathleen Flynn, Fiona Jacob, Kathleen Doyle, Rita Casey or Emer O’Brien. You can also message our Tidy Towns page on Facebook. Many thanks to everyone for their ongoing support of Durrow Tidy Towns.
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 and dispel the winter evening blues while helping to keep fit.
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 17th December 2023 were: First – Jim Walsh and John Mooney; Joint Second – Second: Joe McGill and Paddy Walsh, Noel and Anthony O’Sullivan, Willie Gorman and Tommy Whyte, Dick Brennan and Michael Kells. The Christmas Hamper Winners on the night were: Kitty Farrell, Jim Mahony, Frances Darcy and Willie Gorman.
NOTE: There was not any Progressive Card Game on Sunday the 24th of December (Christmas Eve) and the next game will be held on Sunday the 31st of December 2023. Many thanks to Cullohill Community Council who sponsored the Christmas Hampers again this year. The committee would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year 2024.
BALLYOUSKILL 25s CARDS GAME – Ballyouskill 25s Cards continues in Ballyouskill Community Hall on the last Friday of the month at 8pm. Usual prizes and a raffle on the night. All are most welcome to our next game on Friday, December 22nd for a Christmas special and a regular game will also be held on December 29th.
WHIST DRIVE: The Killermogh Whist Drive is held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow. The Next Whist drive is on Thursday 18th January at 8pm. All are most welcome.
DURROW BRIDGE CLUB: Club meetings continue on Wednesdays at 7.30pm in the Castle Arms Hotel. All are most welcome.
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.
LOETB COURSES IN JANUARY 2024: LOETB (Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board) are offering a diverse range of courses for
further education and training in various fields. This is a great opportunity for individuals in Laois and Offaly to explore new interests, learn new skills, and meet in a supportive environment. The courses cover a wide spectrum, from Dress Design and Cooking to Mindfulness, Sign Language, Horticulture, Art, and Craft and much more! This variety ensures there’s something for everyone, catering to different interests and passions. If you or someone you know is interested in trying something new or enhancing existing skills, reaching out to LOETB on (057) 8630093 is a good step. We can provide more information the courses, schedules, and enrolment details. Taking part in further education and training not only enriches personal knowledge but also fosters a sense of community and personal development. Its a positive initiative to combat the potential January blues and start the New Year with a fresh and engaging experience.
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.
Scouts Section: Are you 12-15 years old? Do you like: * adventure; * the outdoors; * making new friends? If so, our Scout group could be for you! We currently have limited spaces in our Scout section. For more information please contact gldurrow@gmail.com by email.
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 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.
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 – 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 fáilte róimh cupán tae agus cúpla focail Gaeilge a labhairt no a canadh.
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.
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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 4.30 pm 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 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.
Online Advent Retreat – The Priory Institute is delighted to offer a FREE OF CHARGE online retreat ‘Reflecting on the Sunday Gospels of Advent’. Visit our website www.prioryinstitute.com to register or find out more.
Durrow Nativity Scene – The crib this year is situated in the Grotto in St Fintans Terrace, Durrow.
St. Mary’s Cathedral, Chapter House Bookshop – Now open 5 days a week (Monday to Friday) from 9.30am untill 5.00pm. The bookshop has a great selection of Nativity Sets, Christmas Cards, Christmas Mass Bouquets, spiritual books and other religious gifts. A selection of Calendars, Catholic Diaries for 2024, Bibles and a wide range of Children Stories Pictures.
SYMPATHY is extended to the family and friends of Harold Lawlor, Mill Road, Durrow, Co. Laois on their recent bereavement.
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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, has been changed to (083) 4056021 as of July 14th 2023.
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.
NOTICE – The Junior B Leinster Quarter Final is Postponed until January 2024.
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB: Follow all the latest news from the club at https://www.facebook.com/HarpsCamogie online.
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.
REPORT: SFAI Cup Round 4 – Lions 1 V 2 Bohemians Waterford. Scorer: Fionn O Sullivan. Heartbreak for the young Lions in Durrow as they exited the SFAI Cup recently. Despite dominating the early stages of the game the Lions fell behind to an early goal, when Bohs were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Lions box. As Shane Ruane was organising his wall a quick free kick was dispatched into the far top corner. The goal stood and the Lions were 1 nil down. The Lions reacted well and pressed for an equaliser Conor, Jack, Joey and Fionn all brought top class saves from a very impressive Bohs keeper.
The Lions started the second half on the front foot and equalised when Fionn turned in a cross from Joey. The Lads forced corner after corner and Conor’s volleyed seemed to cross the Bohs goalline. No goaline technology today… no goal. Bohs were always dangerous on the break and the Lions had Sean Mockler to thank for a last minute tackle to keep the scores level. The Lions pressure was mounting and Bohs were reduced to ten men after a straight red card. Despite this Bohs took the lead with a close range shot with ten minutes remaining. The Lions pressed for an equaliser as Danny, Rian and Fionn all had shots saved by the away keeper. One of those days when the bounce of the ball didn’t go our way, but a brilliant performance from our lads who kept going right to the end. Best of luck to Bohs for the rest of the Season.
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!
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.