EVENING ART CLASSES: Evening Art Classes for all levels resume on Wednesday 24th January in Durrow. Beginners are welcome too. Materials provided. For any enquiries, contact Marie on (086) 3136028.
CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE – AUCTION: This year’s auction will be held on Sunday, January 28th, at 1.30pm. We are asking each household/business to offer or donate good quality items such as firewood (or a tree), agricultural goods, toys, vouchers, household goods and furniture to be auctioned on the day. You can drop your items to the Community Centre on the afternoon of Saturday, January 27th. We will also hold a cake sale on the day so we will be very grateful for your donations or cakes and home baking.
SQUID GAMES – Running in The Centre on Sunday, February 11th, with a series of games running and substantial prize money on offer. Further information from any committee member.
WALKS – Members of the committee are going for a walk on each Monday evening. Meeting at The Centre at 7.00pm. Walking the Mountain Road. Why not join us!
COON HALL KILKENNY: Kilquan Players present Separate Beds by Sam Cree. Shows held on Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd, Sunday 4th, Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th February at 8pm each night in Coon Hall, Co. Kilkenny R93 EC89. €10 Entry (no pre-booking). Raffles and Refreshments each night.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 enquiries to email above.
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 31st December 2023 were: First – Kevin Wolfe and Willie Gorman; Second: Jim Walsh and John Mooney; Third – Chris Fitzpatrick and John Dollard. The Raffle Winners on the night were: John Mooney and Sinead Burke.
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 26th of January 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 25th January 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 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.
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.
——-
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 9am until 9.30am.
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.
SYMPATHY is extended to the family and friends of Judy Brophy (née Dunphy), Aughmacart, Cullohill on their recent bereavement.
——-
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 Semi Final for 2023/24 will take place in Pairc Ide Naofa, Killeedy GAA Club, Raheenagh, Co. Limerick V42 N927 on Sunday the 21st of January 2024. Throw-in is at 12.00pm. (Finish on the Day, ET & Penalties if Required).
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB: Follow all the latest news from the club at https://www.facebook.com/HarpsCamogie online.
HARPS REPRESENTATION: We had great Harps representation last weekend in the Leinster Senior Camogie Post Primary Schools Competition. Lisa and Aoife Kirby were playing for Loreto Secondary School in the Senior ‘A’ final and Caoimhe Doheny, Catherine Kirby, Lorraine Bergin, Mia Henderson, Kayla Dwyer, Georgie Holland Rome, Eva Dunphy and Orla Brophy were playing for Colaiste Mhuire Johnstown in the Senior Leinster ‘C’ Final. We are all very proud of you.
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: You can contact the club on cullohillhandballclub@yahoo.ie by email.
WELL DONE: Well done to Oliver Delaney (Cullohill) on his impressive showing in the Junior Nationals recently. In his first game he defeated a strong opponent in Aidan McElduff. Despite a good performance in his next game he lost out to a very talented Clare handballer in Daire Madden.
RESULTS: Division – 13 and Under Boys Cup; Venue – Multyfarnham H.C; Oliver Delaney (Laois) dft. Aidan McElduff (Tyrone) 15-10, 15-7.
Division – 13 and Under Boys Cup; Venue – Multyfarnham H.C; Daire Madden (Clare) dft. Oliver Delaney (Laois) 15-2, 15-10.
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.
FOOTBALL ACADEMY: Our Football Academy returns on Saturday the 20th of January at 5.30pm. New Members (Only) €25. To pre-register, please call 086 8390266.
RESULT: Junior Women’s League Division 1 – Lions AFC 3 V 0 Clover United. Last Sunday morning our Ladies team took on local rivals Clover United in a home game which saw a first half dominated by the Lions who just couldn’t find the back net until Leah Kelly broke the deadlock and put the Lions into a deserved lead. The Lions continued to create chance after chance but went into halftime with the slender 1 nil lead.
The second half saw much of the same with the Lions dominating when Aoife Jordan doubled the Lions lead with a cool finish. The Lions pressed for a third and got it fifteen minutes from time when Leah Kelly slotted past the keeper for her second of the day. A solid performance from our Ladies that saw them secure the three points and their third league win in a row!
REELING IN THE YEARS! A brilliant night was had at the “Reeling in the Years” night in Dec’s Bar on January 7th last. A huge turnout was treated to a nostalgic night spanning 50+ years, hosted by the ever reliable and brilliant MC Dave Finnegan. Guest speakers on the night included great club legends, Morgan Kelly, Rox Kennan Snr, Kevin Kelly, Sean Whelan and Robbie Dempsey.
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.