MUSICAL TIME! Our Lady’s Meadow PS will present ‘Aladdin Trouble’ on Wednesday 13th March at 12 noon and again on Thursday 14th March at 7.30pm in the Castle Arms Hotel Durrow. This year due to the size of our new venue (kindly sponsored by St. Canice’s Credit Union Durrow) we can offer tickets for sale to the wider community. Tickets cost €15 and are available to buy in the school office.
DURROW DEVELOPMENT FORUM: Shine Like a Star Concert, Saturday 16th March 2024 in the Castle Arms Hotel at 8.00pm, doors open at 7.30pm, Over 18’s event, bar available. Celebrate St. Patrick’s weekend and enjoy a convert of local talent. Tickets available on https://durrowscarecrowfestival.com/community-shop/ online with limited tickets available at the door. If you would like to showcase your talent or fancy your moment on stage, please contact Anne on (086) 6079069 before Monday 16th February. (Fundraising event with the proceeds going to building the Durrow Community Hub)
ANNUAG GENERAL MEETING: Durrow Development Forum will hold their AGM on Thursday 15th February at 7.30pm in Bob’s Venue, Durrow. Presenting the Durrow Community Plans with Bluett & O’Donoghue Architects. Refreshments served and draw for Bowe’s Cafe Voucher for attendees. All are welcome.
READY TO RUMBLE! We are getting Ready To Rumble with a very special fundraising event! Family Friendly Grand Slam Wrestling comes to The Castle Arms Hotel, Durrow on Saturday 6th April 2024 at 7pm. WWE style entertainment for ALL the family to enjoy. Get ready to Cheer the Good Guys and Boo the Badies as we crown the King of the Ring! Tickets €15, available to buy at durrowscarecrowfestival.com/community-shop/ online. (Fundraising event with the proceeds going to building the Durrow Community Hub)
DURROW TIDY TOWNS: Durrow Sustainable Energies Committee (SEC), do you want to reduce your heating bills by improving your energy efficiency? Durrow SEC are looking for 10 homeowners to jointly invest in attic and cavity wall insulation. Often these are the most cost effective upgrades made to a house. By pooling houses together we hope to benefit from economies of scale, resulting in reduced costs for each homeowner, grants of up to €, are available. To participate or if you need further information, please email:- secdurrow@gmail.com
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, 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!
DURROW MEALS ON WHEELS: A big Thank You to Secto Services for donating a delivery van for Durrow Meals on Wheels. It will make a big difference in the community!
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 February 2024 were: First – Michael and Patsy Moran; Joint Second – Kevin Wolfe and Jimmy Mahony, Percy Phelan and Jimmy Ryan, Jim Walsh and John Mooney, James and Veronica Muldowney, Chris Fitzpatrick and John Dollard. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Michael Moran and Willie Gorman. A minutes silence was observed and sympathy was expressed to Noel and Anthony O Sullivan on the death of their brother Stephen. May he Rest in Peace.
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. The next game will be held on Friday the 23rd of February 2024 at 8pm sharp. All are welcome.
WHIST DRIVE: The Killermogh Whist Drive is held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow. The Next Whist drive is on Thursday 22nd February 2024 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 / CULLOHILL FLOWER AND GARDENING CLUB: Cullohill and Durrow Flower Club are back after the Christmas break since Monday night 11th February in Cullohill Community Hall at 8pm. On Monday we will have a gardening talk with Fergal Fitzpatrick. Non-members welcome €10.
OSSORY CYCLING CLUB: Club spins from now to the end of February! New members and some old members can come along, all welcome to join us. We leave the square in Rathdowney every Sunday morning around 9:50am.
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 an Office Administrator in Durrow; 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 minimum of 12 months to apply. Please contact Astrid Andersson on 057 8736870 or andersson@durrowcs.com for further information.
CULLOHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL: Scoil Tighearnach Naofa, Cullohill is now accepting enrolments for incoming Junior Infants for September 2024. Enrolment forms are available from the school office on request, email scoiltnaofa@gmail.com. The deadline for application is Thursday, 29th February.
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.
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.
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.
SPACES: Beaver (6-8 yrs) and Cubs (9-11yrs) have limited spaces available. Please email gldurrow@gmail.com to register.
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.
LEGO FREE PLAY – Lego Free Play will continue in the library every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm. Children are welcome with parent/guardian supervision.
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 4.30pm 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.
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 from April 26th to 28th and September 20th to 22nd 2024. For more details visit www.grasta.org or contact info@grasta.org by email.
The Priory Institute – Study Theology Online, is this for you? We provide online Theology courses to degree level. Attend Saturday lectures in Tallaght or from the comfort of your own home. Register before February 14th. Find out more on our website: www.prioryinstitute.com online.
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ANAM CARA MIDLANDS: Anam Cara Midlands, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding it’s monthly Parent Evening for bereaved parents on Wednesday 14th February at 7:15pm in the Mullingar Park Hotel. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not. We also offer an online service. For more information please call (01) 4045378.
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.
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!
NOTICE – The pitch in Durrow recently got remedial work done at the town end. It will be unavailable for at least the next four weeks – depending on prevailing weather conditions. Training can continue from outside 30 meters from the town end. This will be in effect until future notice.
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB: Follow all the latest news from the club at https://www.facebook.com/HarpsCamogie online.
THIRTY YEARS ANNIVERSARY: The Harps Camogie Club wishes to invite all past and present players and committee members to our 30 year Anniversary Dinner Dance and medal presentation. A great night guaranteed where we will be looking back on all our achievements over the last 30 years whilst presenting medals for our most recent success. On the night medals will be presented to our 2023 Junior County Final Winners, Junior Leinster Final Runners up Medals and 2023 Leinster League winners. The event will be held in The Castle Arms Hotel on February 17th. Music by Sweet Freedom on the night.
APPEAL – We are looking for your Harps Camogie Club photos from the last 30 years so that we can display them at our Dinner Dance. If you have any photos of the teams throughout the past 30 years please get in contact with the Harps Camogie Club Facebook page.
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: The next generation of Cullohill Juvenile players had the opportunity play in the new National Handball Centre in Croke Park last week at this year’s Cumman Na mBunscoil. A great day of handball and Cullohill where represented by Darragh Phelan, Charlie Dunne, Dathi Russell, Liam Ellis, Tadgh Hennessy, Taylor Mahony and MJ Muldowney along with Daire O’Sullivan from St Bridget’s Monevea. It was another fantastic experience for these young players and we hope it gives them the taste for competition handball and we will see them continue into juvenile competitions over the coming years. 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.
LADIES – WE WANT YOUR INPUT: Calling All Female Players, Past and Present: The FAI are currently investigating the reasons why females drop out of soccer within the Midlands Region, so they can provide a better pathway for females to play and stay in the game. If you are a past or current female player or female that did not play the sport, please complete the short survey at https://forms.gle/DEUvCw6JN4HVffrKA online.
FINAL TABLE QUIZ OF THE SEASON! The Lions AFC will hold their final Table Quiz of the season on Friday, February 16th in the Castle Arms Hotel at 9pm Sharp. No plans for Valentines? Come join us for some great fun and let our Quizmaster David Finnegan test your general knowledge and memory with his many rounds of carefully chosen and topical questions. Table of four for €40. Can’t fill a table, don’t let that stop you coming as we’ll find a team for you! Please support.
RESULT: U12 League Division 1: Kilkenny Utd 0 V 2 Lions. A great win last Sunday (February 4th) for our U12 girls, who travelled to Kilkenny and came home with all three points. Keep up the good work!
FAI BLITZ AT HEYWOOD: Our Lions U8 boys, U9 boys and U10 girls took part in the the Laois FAI blitz at Heywood last Saturday morning (February 3rd). A big thanks to Clare Conlon FAI RDO for organising the event.
REPORT: U16 National Cup Last Thirty-Two Result: Dunboyne AFC 2 V 4 Lions AFC. Scorers – Ciaran McMenamin (X2), Sean Dempsey and
Liam Townsend.
A great win for our U16s in Meath last Sunday (February 4th) to qualify for the last sixteen of the National Cup for the second year in a row. Dunboyne were quick out of the blocks and scored after just eight minutes with a well taken goal. The young Lions settled into their passing game and could have equalised before half time as a Liam Townsend header was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by the Dunboyne keeper. Rob McEvoy, Ciaran and Sean all went close but the Lions were 1-0 down at half time.
The second half was a different game as the Lions dominance paid dividends. Ciaran McMenimem scored a brilliant free quick after a foul on Sean on the edge of the box. The Lions were pouring forward with Scott, Sean and James proving a handful for the Dunboyne defence. However it was Ciaran again who scored a thirty-yard screamer that gave the keeper no chance. With their tails up the Lions went looking for number three but were caught on the break as Dunboyne levelled. The Lions took the lead almost immediately as Sean Dempsey got on the end of Robs ball to finish brilliantly. Soon after Ciaran was fouled in the box after some brilliant build up play by the lads. Liam stepped up to cooly slot home the penalty. With a two goal advantage the Lions passed the ball brilliantly and were unlucky not to add to the score. Some brilliant individual performances on the day, but it was a fantastic team performance by these young boys who continue to promote our club on the national stage. Keep up the good work lads!
KILKENNY U12s: Three of our boys played with the Kilkenny U12 District team last Sunday February 4th. Conor, Taylor and Frankie were all involved as Kilkenny beat the Carlow league by 2 goals to 1. Well done boys!
A LOCAL CONNECTION: A big night for Joe Gardner last Wednesday night (February 7th) as he made his competitive debut for Nottingham Forest in the F.A. Cup. Joe Gardner is the grandson of Anne Verner (née Dunne) formerly of St. Fintans Terrace, Durrow. Joe has come through the Forest Academy and has been on the bench for the first team the last few weeks. He is a grand-nephew of our own Gabby Dunne-Das and Patrick Dunne who played with the Lions in the 1980s. Best of luck to Joe who will no doubt gain a few more local fans.
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.