RACE NIGHT IN AID OF MEALS ON WHEELS: In conjunction with Dunmore Community Alert a Race Night in aid of Meals on Wheels will be held in The Castle Arms Hotel on Friday, November 24th 2023 at 9pm. Best Dressed Lady (Prize €200, sponsored by Cllr. Ollie Clooney) and lots of other Prizes on the Night! €20 per horse with TOTE on site. Contact Damien (085) 1745996 or Shane (086) 1054178 for further information. Please support this local voluntary service.
OUR LADY’S MEADOW PRIMARY SCHOOL: Our Lady’s Meadow Primary School Durrow will commence accepting applications for admission to Junior Infants for the school year 2024-2025 from this Monday, 20th of November 2023. 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.
OUR LADY’S MEADOW PRIMARY SCHOOL: As you may or may not be aware, Our Lady’s Meadow will celebrate its 40th Anniversary later this year. As part of the celebrations we are looking for people’s stories and memories of their time there. We will be asking the schoolchildren to share their own stories, however we are sure many of you have attended yourselves and can help out also. It could be a funny incident, a happy memory, a teacher you will always remember and why, a classmate who was there for you- anything at all. Photographs would also be appreciated if you are willing to share! We would love to hear from you. Please send your story directly to the school or to olm40years@gmail.com by email.
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 a Catering Assistant in Durrow Meals On Wheels. 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.
HEYWOOD HOUSE AND GARDENS: Ballinakill Tidy Towns committee are hosting a series of talks on the History Of Heywood House and Gardens by Ger Dunphy. To be held in: The Old School Community Hall, Ballinakill on Thursday the 23rd of November at 8pm. All are welcome. Donations if desired to Ballinakill Tidy Towns.
SIGHTLESS CINEMA: Sightless Cinema comes to the Dunamaise Arts Centre for the first time with ‘Blind Panic’ – a programme of short audio thrillers, where all the pictures are in your head! Optional blindfolds are provided. It features nine Sight less Cinema Laois members. Ash is set in a country lodge guest house during a thunder storm. In The Visitor Laura finds her new house has a scary history. Horse and No Jockey is a madcap comic mystery on a blind weekend away. The evening ends with Blind or What? a live radio drama, performed by a Sightless Cinema Network cast of twenty-five from three counties, with live music by Steve Wickham (Waterboys).
Since 2015 Sightless Cinema has presented six original programmes of surround sound plays at the Lighthouse Cinema and IMC Cinema.
Sightless Cinema Network is a collaboration between South Dublin, Meath and Laois County Council Arts Offices, and theatre artist Ciarán Taylor, in partner ship with Solstice Arts Centre, Dunamaise Arts Centre and The Civic Theatre, with the National Council of the Blind of Ireland. It is funded by the collaboration partners and by The Arts Council under the Invitation to Collaboration Scheme.
The Dunamaise Arts Centre will host ‘Blind Panic’ on Tuesday, November 28th at 7.30pm. Tickets costing €12/€8 are available online at www.dunamaise.ie or from the Centre.
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.
MICHAEL ENGLISH IN CONCERT: St. Brigid’s Church, Ballinakill on Sunday 3rd December 2023 at 7.00pm. Tickets €25. Raffle on the night. Tickets can be purchased at McGraths, Ballinakill; Brennans, Ballinakill; Drury’s Bar, Ballinakill; Abbeyleix Parish Office; Parish Shop at Portlaoise Parish Centre; Old School Community Hall, Ballinakill after 11am mass every Sunday. For more information contact Annemarie at 087 7613468 or Anne at 087 6187653.
CULLOHILL AND DURROW FLOWER CLUB GALA 2023: Themed “All is calm, all is bright” by floral artist Melanie Harris will take place in The Castle Arms Hotel at 8pm on Monday December 11th 2023. Admission €15 in aid of ‘As I Am’ – the National Autism Charity and The Cuisle Cancer Support Centre. Mulled Wine and Mince Pies Served. All who attend will be in with a chance to win our Door Prize on the night. All floral arrangements will be raffled.
SET DANCING CLASSES: Set Dancing classes have resumed 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.
SUNDAY NIGHT DANCING: Dancing in The Wheel Inn on Sunday nights to Checkers.
CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE: The Centre has become increasingly busy with the following the main activities / offerings: * Squash; * Handball; * Auction; * Indoor Soccer; * Youth Club; * Study Hub; * Pilates; * Wellness; * Membership; * Cards-25’s/Bridge; * Hip Hop Dancing; * Irish Dancing; * Martial Arts; * Flower Club; * Comhaltas; * Choice of meeting rooms also available on request. A collection box is in the local ‘Circle K’ station for anyone might still like to make a donation. Thanks again to all in the community for their support.
PILATES IN CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE: Pilates will be back in Cullohill Community Centre from 7pm to 8pm on Wednesday 25th October 2023. All are most welcome.
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 12th November 2023 were: Joint First – Padraig and Noreen Ryan, Jim Walsh and John Mooney, Ger Alley and Ollie Clooney, John and Kitty Farrell. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Ger Alley and Ollie Clooney.
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, November 24th.
WHIST DRIVE: The Killermogh Whist Drive is held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow. The Next Whist drive is on this Thursday 23rd November 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!
ABBEYLEIX HOUSE & FARM – Save the date. Our Christmas Market and Santa Grotto will take place on Saturday December 9th 2023. Open call for craft stalls & food vendors. Contact alice@abbeyleixhouseandfarm.ie for more information. Tickets will be on sale at a later date.
ABBEYLEIX CHRISTMAS MARKET CALLOUT – A callout to all traders who may be interested in the annual Abbeyleix Christmas Market which will be held on December 2nd, 2023
from 2pm until 7pm at Market Square, Abbeyleix. Crafts, home baking, local businesses, clubs, gifts, antiques, art, pottery, food van, coffee truck, etc… Fee: €30, hot food/bev vendors must supply their own insurance. Email: short description of work to be sold and three images to abbeyleixchristmasmarket@gmail.com by email.
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 11am to 7.30pm 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 as follows; Wednesdays from 9.30am to 2.00pm; Thursdays from 9.30am to 2pm; 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.
Church Envelopes – Envelopes for October, November and Christmas are now available in the church. You can return them at Mass times or to the Parish office in Durrow (Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9.30am to 2pm. If you can help a neighbour by collecting theirs too that would be great. Thank you.
Baptism – We welcome into our Parish Community Cara Delahunty and Michael Holohan who were baptised in our Parish last weekend.
Towards Healing – We provide face to face counselling, structured phone counselling, family counselling and a counselling helpline. Their help line is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 9am to 5pm. Freephone 1800 303416. Hearing-impaired Text Line Number: (085) 8022859. Email: info@towardshealing.ie Website: www.towardshealing.ie online.
——-
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.
CONGRATULATIONS: Congratulations to Eoghan Murphy, 2023 Midlands Park Hotel Minor Club Hurling Player Of The Year.
CONGRATULATIONS: Congratulations to Justin Duggan, 2023 Laois Shopping Centre: U20 Club Hurling Player Of The Year.
CONGRATULATIONS: Congratulations to Louise Mahony, 2023 Laois Junior Camogie Player Of The Year.
U20 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS: A huge congratulations to our U20 Hurling Team who won their County Final on a scoreline of The Harps 4-16 v 1-10 Abbeyleix.
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB: Follow all the latest news from the club at https://www.facebook.com/HarpsCamogie online.
LEINSTER FINAL 2023: It wasn’t to be at the recent Leinster final but our girls have had a fantastic year. They represented their club and county with honour. It’s a massive achievement to get back into a Leinster final and we have no doubt the girls will drive on from this next year in both the Junior and Intermediate championships. Thanks to our Intermediates who continued to train with our Junior team the past month. A special word of thanks to all our amazing supporters throughout the year especially all those who made the trip to cheer us on in the Final. They were in full voice and really drove on the girls. Thanks so much to our amazing management team for their commitment and dedication to the girls throughout the year. A special word of thanks to our amazing committee for all the work they put in behind the scene. Thanks so much to all of the businesses who helped support us to get there. Thanks so much to Leinster Camogie – An Cumann Camógaíochta for organising a really special Leinster Final day. Best of luck to Knockananna Camogie Club as they progress onto the All- Ireland Championship.
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: Three counties training sessions reached their climax last Saturday November 11th with a trip to the New Handball National Centre at Croke Park. Representing Cullohill we had Aoife Kelly, Ellie Laferty, Tadgh Hennessy, Liam Ellis, and Ollie Delaney. They played a number of games throughout the day and have now the fantastic honour of being the first Cullohill Players to play competitive matches in the superb, newly built national handball courts; All players did their club proud today and a special mention to Aoife Kelly who reached the final in her group. A big thank you to all the trainers, mentors and especially the parents who have supported these young players through this journey. 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.
GRASSROOTS PROMOTION: Circle K and FAI Grassroots Promotion! Win €30,000 for your Club. To enter the competition, customers must have downloaded the Circle K App and registered for PLAY or PARK, Circle K’s loyalty game. Then you simply select your chosen football club in the FAI portal within the app and upload your Circle K receipt to generate a draw entry for your club. One draw entry will be generated per receipt uploaded. The more entries a club gets, the higher their chances of winning will be. Go Lions Facebook or Instagram pages to see videos on how to enter and we would ask for your support in getting in as many entries as possible over the next couple of months for the Lions AFC, Durrow!
BECOME A REFEREE: Please see a list of upcoming referee courses that have just opened up: Online Referee Beginners Course – 11th/12th December 2023 (7pm to 10pm) Online; Referee Beginners Course – 15th/16th January 2024 (7pm to 10pm) Online; Referee Beginners Course – 30th/31st January 2024 (7pm to 10pm) Online; Referee Beginners Course – 26th/27th February 2024 (7pm to 10pm). Visit www.fai.ie/domestic/referees/referee-beginner-courses for more information or to sign up.
U12 GIRLS RESULT: Kilkenny League U12 Girls – Thomastown 2 V 0 Lions. A gallant display from our U12 girls in Thomastown who were unlucky to lose. Keep up the great work girls.
WELL DONE: Well done to Nikki Mullaly who played for Kilkenny U12s last Sunday November 12th in a 3-1 win over Carlow girls. Great to see Nikki representing the club at this level.
U14 BOYS: The U14s came up against a well organized Tramore team in their last sixteen cup game on Sunday 12th November. In a tight back and forth game chances were few and far between. Both teams had good periods of possession without creating any clear cut chances. As the game wore on the Lions began to dominate the play and hit the woodwork three time, firstly Fionn with a great free kick and then Jamie with a long range strike before Sean again rattled it. Just as it looked like we were heading for extra time Tramore broke quickly and hit the Lions with a sucker punch as their sub showed a great turn of pace and quality finish to lob the ball over the retreating Rian in the goals. The final whistle sounded shortly after leaving Tramore victorious on a 1-0 scoreline. Hard luck lads.
MATCH REPORT: U16 Sketchers Cup Round 3 – Lions 2 V 1 Cahir Park. Scorers: Sean Dempsey and Eoin Delaney. Our U16s qualified for the fourth Rd of the Sketchers Cup for the third year in a row. The lads had a hard fought win over a very good Cahir side in Kilkenny las Sunday. Cahir settled quickly and went 1 nil up after just five minutes after the Lions defence was caught napping. The Lions quickly settled and got their passing game going. They were soon on level terms when Eoin Delaney skipped down the left wing and his superb cross was headed home by the inrushing Sean Dempsey. Game on 1 all. Both teams went looking for the second but despite Ronan and Eoin going close the sides were level at the break.
The second half was never going to be as open as both teams tired. The Lions always looked the most likely to score as Rob McEvoy pushed his team forward from midfield time after time. Cahir were dangerous on the break but the Lions back four defended brilliantly. The Lions were getting free after free and with ten minutes remaining Joey was fouled 25 yards out. Eoin Delaney took the free which rocketed off the crossbar and nestled in the back of the net. Lions 2-1 up. Almost from Kick off Cahir should have equalised but Eoin Holland was superb in the Lions goal. Cahir kept pushing but With Liam marshaling the defence the Lions saw out the last few minutes to advance to the next round. Well done lads keep up the good work!
MATCH REPORT: U12 Sketchers Cup Round 3 – Lions 1 V 0 Forth Celtic. Scorer: Brian Coonan. Our brilliant U12s kicked off the Lions own version of Super Sunday in the Fairgreen. Forth Celtic from Wexford proved formidable opposition and they pinned the Lions back from the kick off. The Lions defence of Taylor, Todd, Ciaran and the excellent Conor Campion stood firm to the early onslaught. The Lions slowly got a foothold in the game as Frankie, and the two Harry’s got their foot on the ball and started to pass their way into the game. Their good play was rewarded when the front two combined brilliantly. James was patient and slid the ball into Brian who was super cool and found the bottom corner of the net. 1 nil to the Lions. The second half followed a similar pattern but the Lions had Tommy, Eddie and Adam all coming on to freshen things up and get the lads over the line. Round four next up for these boys in a weeks time. Keep up the good work lads.
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.