KILLERMOGH ANNUAL DINNER DANCE: The Killermogh New Years Buffet Dance is on in the Castle Arms Hotel on Friday 12th January 2024. Music by Philip English. Dancing is from 9pm until 1.30pm. Supper served at 9pm sharp.
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!
YOGA CLASSES – Yoga Classes for Beginners starts in The Centre on Thursday, January 11th. Instructor Marian Dolan with Floor Yoga at 9.30am and Chair Yoga at 11.15am. Ten-week programme. To book space go to www.yogaforall.ie/classes. Health and Wellbeing begins here.
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.
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 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 enquires 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 – Noel and Anthony O Sullivan; Joint Second: Sean and Anna Burke, Michael and Patsy Moran. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Martin Mahony and Joe Cass. The committee would like to wish everyone a Happy 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. Results of cards game held on December 22nd: First – J Walsh and J Mooney; Second – T. White and M. Doheny; Third – V. Brennan and M. Doheny; Fourth – J & Ann Mahoney, Billy Costigan and P. Gannon. Thanks to all our Raffle sponsors over the Christmas period: Glenview Plant Hire (Jim Glennon), Julie Dorgan, Dunnes Nurseries, Glanbia and to everyone who left in spot prizes. Results of cards game held on December 29th: Joint First – J. Brennan and E. Murphy, J. Maher and J. Kennedy, Liam and Bessie Brophy. All 10 games each. The next game will be held on Friday the 26th of January 2024 at 8pm sharp. All 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. Results from the 21st of December 2023 game are as follows: Top score – Mary Gowing; First Lady – Carmel Doheny; Second – Theresa Dowling; Third – Bridget Walsh; First Gent – Mary Tiernan; Second – Seamus Hennessy; Third – Tom Dunne; Halves First – William Benn; Halves Second – Liam McCartney. Qrts: First – Catherine Fitzpatrick; Second – Hazel Greene, Henry Cooke and Bridie Kennedy; Third – Louise Kavanagh and Theresa Mulhare; Fourth – Nora Carroll and Bridie Moloughney. The Raffle winners were: Liam McCartney, Annette Lalor, Elizabeth Cooper, Hannah Cooke and Ann Roe. The Killermogh New Years Buffet Dance is on in the Castle Arms Hotel on Friday 12th January 2024. Music by Philip English. Dancing is from 9pm unitl 1.30pm. Supper served at 9pm sharp.
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.
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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.
SYMPATHY is extended to the family and friends of John Holland (Snr), The Square, Ballyragget 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.
ST STEPHEN’S DAY HURLING TOURNAMENT: Congratulations to St Thomas’s on winning our Annual Tournament. Also Congratulations to Hugh Whlean on winning player of the tournament. Over €700 was raised for a local charity yet to be named. Well done to all!
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.
HAPPY NEW YEAR – Wishing all our players, parents and coaches a happy and healthy New Year. We would like to thank everyone for their dedication throughout the year to make our club what it is. 2023 has been a successful year for our club with – A Leinster League Title; -Junior County Final; – Reaching a Junior Leinster final; – An U16 county final; – Reaching the U15 Féile County and Regional Final; – Our U14s winning the Stephen Dunican Memorial Tournament; – The U12s reaching their final; – Amazing numbers of U6s right up to U10s training all year; – Lots of Harps Girls representing Laois at all ages from U14 Development squads to the Adult Squad; – They also represented us with their schools with Lisa Kirby winning a Junior ‘A’ All Ireland with Loretto and Alison Curran, Eimear Murphy, Sive O’Reilly, Caitlin Ince and Lily Dunne with Heywood winning a Leinster Schools Final. We are grateful to everyone who has supported and donated to our club in order for us to be able achieve this. We look forward to seeing everyone back out training in the New Year.
CHRISTMAS DRAW RESULTS: First: Ava Henderson – Rugby tickets; Second: Eimear Dunphy – Signed rugby Jersey; Third: Sinéad Kirby – Overnight stay in Kilashee House Hotel; Fourth: Megan Dwyer – Christmas Hamper; Fifth: Tara Donohue – One for All Voucher; Sixth: Therese Drennan – One for All Voucher; Seventh: Therese Drennan – Meal Voucher for Ashbrook Arms; Eighth: Ciara O’Connell – Twin box of Red Wine; Ninth: Eamon Jackman – Bottle Of Irish Mist; Tenth: Sean Mockler – Bottle Of White Wine; Eleventh: Anne Mahony – Bottle of White Wine; Twelfth: Grace Comerford – Bottle of White Wine. Well done to all and thanks to everyone who bought a ticket for their support.
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: You can contact the club on cullohillhandballclub@yahoo.ie by email.
HAPPY NEW YEAR: Cullohill Handball Club would like to wish all our Players, Mentors, Coaches and Parents of the Club, County and the wider Handball Community a Very Healthy and Happy 2024!!
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.
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE RESULTS: We hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and a big thank you to all who bought tickets for our 50th Monster Hamper Draw over the last few weeks. The draw took place on Christmas Eve and here is a list of the prizes and the winners: First Prize – Monster Hamper – Greg Condon; Second Prize – One Night B&B plus Dinner in Heritage Hotel – Simon Comerford; Third Prize – One Night B&B plus Dinner in Killashee House Hotel – Croia Dooly; Fourth Prize – €100 Phelans Hardware Voucher – Frankie Carroll; Fifth Prize – Sunday Lunch Voucher Ashbrook Arms – Jack Cosgrove; Sixth Prize – Dempsey Nurseries Voucher – Nancy O’ Shaughnessey; Seventh Prize – Murfs Voucher – Darragh Lacey; Eighth Prize – Halo Voucher – Kate Kennedy; Ninth Prize – Chocolates & Bubbles – Conor Moore.
HAPPY NEW YEAR: Happy New Year to all our players, supporters, ex players, managers and coaches, committee members, parents, sponsors and everyone who has helped to make 2023 a tremendous success for the club. Here’s hoping 2024 brings you health and happiness.
A fascinating year lies ahead for the club as we continue to enhance the clubs facilities and continue with our pitch development plan. Heres wishing continued success to all our teams on and off the pitch in 2024.
DOWN SYNDROME IRELAND – LAOIS BRANCH: Big thank you to Michael Larkin, Kevin Kelly and all at Lions AFC Durrow whose charity soccer tounament raised €400 for our Down Syndrome Ireland “Laois Branch” members.
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!
CHRISTMAS PIKE FISHING COMPETITION: The club held a Pike Competition over the Christmas period. A good turn out on the day and some good fish were caught. The winner of the Bill Kelly Cup was Tommy Coffey. In second place was Freddie Townsend and in third place was Seamus Stapleton. Thanks to all the Anglers who took part and well done to Tommy Coffey – nice catch.
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.