DURROW TIDY TOWNS – Durrow Tidy Towns are selling a Durrow Calendar for 2024 as a fundraiser for planting and projects for next year. The Calendar will be available in the shops and online in the coming weeks at a cost of €10. If you are thinking of buying a calendar for 2024, please consider buying one for Durrow as this will help fund projects for 2024. 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.
VOCEM DARÚ – Vocem Darύ, Durrow’s Ladies Community Choir have resumed rehearsal Tuesdays evenings from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in Castle Arms Hotel, Durrow. New members are most welcome. Vocem Darύ will hold their AGM on October 3rd next at 7.30 pm and anyone interested in joining the choir can contact Ann Moylan on [086] 6045409.
LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL – Charges at Kyletalesha Recycling Centre – Please note the following charges took effect from the 18th of September; Car – €5; Van or Jeep – €10; Single Axle Trailer – €10; Double Axle Trailer – €15; Large Van – €15; Large Van and Trailer €25.
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 September 2023 were: Joint First – Canice Sweeney and Willie Dunphy, Dick Brennan and Michael Kells; Joint Second – Perry Phelan and Jim Ryan, Sean O Shea and Gerry Kelly. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Ger Alley and Johnny Kelly.
AGE FRIENDLY LAOIS – Older Persons Council AGM, a FREE Public Event with booking required. New Members are welcome to join our Older Persons Council and our AGM will take place at Castletown Community Centre, Castletown, Co. Laois, R32 F624 on Tuesday, 24th October from 2pm to 5pm. Dancing to Martin Delaney with refreshments served. Information stands include: TFI Local Link; Laois County Council – check the register; Laois Library Services and An Garda Siochana. Our Age Friendly Strategy Guide will be launched by our Ambassador Anna May McHugh. Make sure to be there!! Book your place today by calling Tom Curran on 086 0363426 or email: tcurran@laoiscoco.ie as soon as possible.
BALLYOUSKILL 25s CARDS GAME – Ballyouskill 25s Cards will resume in Community Hall on Friday evening, 29th September at 8pm. Usual prizes and a raffle on the night.
All are most welcome.
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.
IRISH RURAL LINK – The Irish Rural Link Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday 2nd October 2023 from 10.00am to 1.30pm at Tuar Ard Events Centre, Main Street, Moate Co. Westmeath. Join us for a conversation on rural issues. The conference will explore the decline in income of rural families and the challenges they face in meeting energy, food and transport costs. Speakers; Hannah Boylan – Vincentian MESL Research Centre – Adequate Income for Rural Ireland, Ruth Buggy – SEAI – Grant Supports to Reduce Energy costs, Q&A Session, Special Guest Speaker: Teresa Canavan Rural Action NI – Shared Island Civic Society Space. Irish Rural Link represents the interests of locally based rural groups in disadvantaged and marginalised rural areas by highlighting problems, advocating appropriate policies, sharing experiences and examples of good practice. It has a membership of nearly 600 rural community groups dedicated to sustainable rural development and represents rural communities at a national and international level. Visit https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/irish-rural-link-annual-conference-agm-tickets-717862866157 online to register for tickets – admission is free.
CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE – RECENT AGM – This year’s AGM was held recently on September 13th. The year was reviewed with ongoing activities discussed under the following headings: • New Development • 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 • Meeting Rooms for various committees/groupings. The following are the officers for the year ahead – Vincent O’Sullivan (Chairman), Noel Delaney (Secretary), Stephen Gleeson (Treasurer). Committee – John Dollard, Sean Kelly, Chris Dalton, Willie Dunphy, Lauren Maher, Ciara McEvoy, Aishling Aylward, Michael Killeen, Kevin Maher, Lynda McGlade, Niamh Dunne, Dermot O’Leary and Liam Deegan.
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.
M7 MOTORWAY DISRUPTION NOTICE – M7 Motorway Planned Overnight Closure – midnight Tuesday 8th October to 06:00AM Wednesday 9th October. The M7 Motorway is scheduled to be closed overnight from midnight Tuesday 8th October to 06:00 AM Wednesday 9th October between Junction 21 (Borris-in-Ossory) and Junction 22 (Roscrea) in both directions. The diversion route will be the R455 (former N7) and will be signed accordingly. The road is being closed to enable ESB Networks to install a new 38kV line for a wind farm. The affected County Councils have approved the closure 30 days in advance and it was advertised in the press.
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.
LSPCA CAT NEUTERING SCHEME – ends this week on Friday, September 29th. Call Kyle Vets, Durrow on [057] 8734111 directly for an appointment. €30 Male and Female. €10 off microchipping.
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 BRIDGE CLUB NEWS: Durrow Bridge Club resumes in October.
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.
LAOIS CONNECTS – Family Therapist Richard Hogan of the Parenting and Technology Institute is delivering a “Parenting The Tech Savvy Child” webinar at 7pm on the 12th October as part of Laois Connects week. Here he is on the topic of Anxiety, Resilience and Failure – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHUqGZdcwIM to give a sample of what to expect in the webinar. Register at https://forms.office.com/e/EjYa7PmGYR where you can also submit a topic or question at this link.
MORE ON LAOIS CONNECTS WEEK – Laois Connects programme is available now at https://laois.ie/departments/community/laois-connects/ online. There is a wide range of activities throughout the week and a full day of activities in the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Thursday the 12th October. All events are free unless stated but registration/booking is required. Check it out today.
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.
WHIST DRIVE: The Killermogh Whist Drive is held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow. The Next Whist drive is on Thursday 28th September at 8pm.
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.
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 fåilte röimh cupån tae a 61 agus cüpla 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.
REVISED MASS HOURS NOW IN EFFECT: Effective since 9th September 2023 – Durrow and Rathdowney Parish Mass Times have been revised as follows: 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.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2024 – The 2024 Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes led by our Bishop, Most Reverend Niall Coll DD, will take place from Tuesday May 21st to Sunday May 26th inclusive. The organising committee are confident in offering places to pilgrims in need of assistance, youth helpers, support staff and able-bodied pilgrims. The youth section is organised through the head of RE in Secondary Schools and places are limited. Prices have yet to be established but the 2023 cost was €899 PPS.
Blessing of Animals – St. Francis of Assisi was a great lover of animals and nature and is considered the Patron Saint of animals and the environment. It is traditional in many places to bless animals on or near the Feast of St. Francis, in October. This year we will bring the tradition to Durrow. The Blessing of animals will take place on Sunday 8th of October in front of the church in Durrow at 2pm. Feel free to bring your pets for this special blessing.
St Mary’s Cathedral – Restoration Fund Draw 2023/2024 tickets are now available from the Parish Office at a cost of €120 for twelve months. The monthly prizes are
€2000, €1,000, €500, Two X €300, Two X €200 and Three X €100. The draws take place the last Wednesday of each month.
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.
Church Cleaners Needed – We are in urgent need of cleaners for Durrow Church. If you could spare one hour a week (6 months a year) please contact Darina or Sr. Anita in the Parish office or on [086] 2625033.
Baptism – We welcomed into our Parish Community Emily Donohue who was baptised in our Parish last weekend.
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 – Sincere condolences are extended to the family and friends of Áine Murphy [née Phelan] of Dunmore, Durrow.
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.
GOLF CLASSIC 2023: The Harps GAA will host a Golf Classic on October 7th 2023 at Rathdowney Golf Club. Timesheet Now Open. Contact 087 6805402 for tee times. €100 per Team – Three Ball Scramble. Places are filling up quickly.
THE HARPS CAMOGIE CLUB: JUNIORS – Well done to our Juniors on a great win against St. Lazarians last Sunday morning, 17th September. Result – The Harps 3-17 V 2-07 St. Lazarians.
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.
EXPANDED CAR PARK – We are delighted to see much needed progress on our car parking area thanks to the support of Laois County Council through the ‘Community Recognition Fund’. Special thanks to Bergin Plant Ltd for all their hard work over the past two weeks. We now have the area fully operational and we would encourage everyone to use this new area, as it will make the grounds safer for anyone crossing from the pitches to the changing rooms and shop – thank you for your cooperation.
RESULT – Leinster Junior Cup – Lions AFC 5 V 2 Balbriggan. Scorers; Rian Edwards x 2, Danny Delahunty, Paddy Daly and Conor Deegan.
RESULT – Junior League Division 2 – Lions B 5 V 1 Deen Celtic B. Scorers; Adam Kenna x 2, Lee Coffey, Kieran Freeman and Gavin Dent.
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.