Direct from Durrow

Beavers will have their first sleepover shortly and this will be followed quickly with their Annual Christmas trip. The Cubs are heading to their tracks and trails challenge at the end of the month, and they are hoping to reach the top of the leaderboard this year.

The Scouts will go to Funtasia for a day of fun before their get stuck into their campcraft.

The Ventures are heading off to the upcoming County Christmas Ball. All sections are busy before Christmas and preparing for the Annual Christmas Carols event on the 9th of December.

AGM: Third Laois Durrow Scouts are holding their AGM on Thursday 17th November at 9pm in the den. All are most welcome.

The Annual Christmas Craft Fair will be held in the Castle Arms Hotel,    Durrow on Saturday, 12th of November from 11am until 5.50pm. Crafts people from far and wide will be present displaying their unique Christmas gifts at affordable prices. Admission is FREE, so do Come, Browse & Buy!

The committee are holding a clothes collection which will be collected from the Community Hall on the morning of Thursday 10th November. Bags of used clothes can be left into the Hall each morning, 9.00am to 1.00pm from Monday 7th to Wednesday 9th November. No duvets, pillows or cushions to be included as they will not be  accepted. This is an opportunity to do a clean-out of unused clothes before Christmas. By doing so you will be supporting the Community Centre and this will be very much appreciated.

In the next few weeks the hair salon “Kate’s Hair Studio” on Carrigan Street, Durrow will be relocating to Ballygarvan, Ballacolla. We will also be providing a mobile hairdressing service for anyone who can’t make the journey out to our new premises. I look forward to welcoming you all at my new salon. As always, you can contact Catherine on (087)7942679 for appointments or any other queries.

Come on down to the Castle Arms Hotel on Monday evenings from 8.30pm until 10pm for Set Dancing Classes. Beginners and advanced levels are all welcome. For more information please contact Declan on (087) 2768680.

Thanks to everyone who took part the Pumpkin Carving Competition held on Halloween evening on Tae Lane. It was great fun and every single one of the entries deserved a prize. The judge chose the following pumpkins as prize winners: Halloween Theme – Sophie Lawlor; Scariest – Dylan Bowe; Most Imaginative – Andy Walsh; Best use of Pumpkin – Millie Conroy. In addition, the following were commended for their creativity: Townsend Family and Agnese Alksne and family for their entry. Thanks to Marie Moylan for judging at short     notice and to Anne and Margaret for organising the event.

Midland Cakes by Rita has now joined Kyle Farm Potatoes and Fresh Veg at the Saturday Market every Saturday morning from 8.30am to 12 noon in the CAIT Centre, beside the Catholic Church in Durrow. Rita makes celebration cakes for all  occasions, cupcakes, cookies, scones, breads and standard cakes and these will be available each Saturday. For more information, please phone Rita on (085) 8423201 or Marie on (087) 7742506. Do drop in on Saturdays!

Readers Rota: Saturday Evenings: November 5th – Seosamh Murphy; November 12th and 19th: Martin Lawlor. Sunday Mornings: November 6th – Liam Phelan; November 13th and 20th: Deirdre Moore.

Church Cleaning Rota – December 2016: Maeve Thornton, Eileen Keenan, Brigid Traynor and Angela Drennan.

Eucharist Ministers Rota – December 2016: Saturdays – Mai Bowe and Pius Hennessy; Sundays – Ann Palmer and Edmund Kenny.

SYMPATHY is extended to Jacinta Fitzpatrick and family, Upper Tubberboe, Durrow, Marie White and family, Cullohill and the Kenny family, Newtown, Durrow, on their recent bereavement.

Sympathy is extended to Oliver Clooney and family of the Swan Rd, the Clooney and Gilligan families of Erkindale Drive, Durrow on their recent bereavement.

At the recent Killermogh Parish Monthly Whist Drive the Top Score was: Josie McCartney; the First Lady was: Lena McEvoy; the Second Lady was: Nellie Conroy; the First Gent was: Mick Kelly; the Second Gent was: Liam McCartney. Quarters Winners were: Edward Slevin, Veronica Muldowney, Valarie Stanley and Paul Kavanagh. The Raffle winners were: Ray Seale, Edward Slevin, Michael Kennedy, Alison Bradley and Margaret Moynan. The next Whist will be held on Thursday, November 24th at 8.30pm in the Parochial House, Cork Rd, Durrow.

Progressive 25 Card games are held in Cullohill Community hall every Sunday night at 8.30pm sharp followed by tea and sandwiches. Please support!

The Cullohill ICA held their November monthly meeting in the Community Centre recently. Votes of sympathy and prayers were said for Jacinta Fitzpatrick and Marie Whyte and their families on death of their mother Betty Kenny and to Pascal Bergin and family on death of Philomena Walsh (nee Bergin) in Kilkenny. Ar ndeis de go raibh siad. Members will attend the federation meeting in Borris-in-Ossory on November 27th at 2pm.

Congratulations was extended to the Harps U17 team that won the county final. Sincere congratulations to everyone involved in the Cullohill Tidy Towns for their hard work and in   winning the Best Village in Laois. They were awarded the Cup and a money prize. The Pilates classes continue until November 15th. On Monday November 14th Ann Holland will return to finish her class in Ceramics in the Community Centre at 7.30pm.

Mass for deceased members of Cullohill ICA will be held on Saturday evening at 8pm. Relatives of past members are very welcome to attend. The Next meeting will be held in Cullohill     Community Centre on Tuesday December 6th at 2pm in the afternoon.

Social Dance Lessons will be soon starting on Thursday nights in Abbeyleix Golf Club. For more details call Geraldine (087) 9550646 or P.J. at the Golf Club. All welcome.

Supervised Study continues every Saturday in the Presentation Centre, Durrow inside Church gates on left. From 9am to 1pm. Places cost only €30 for month of      November. Study skills and tuition. Limited availability. Contact Sinead on (087) 9510587.

Durrow Bridge Club has resumed their Bridge Club meetings every Sunday night at 7.45pm in the Presentation Centre, Durrow. Winners on October 12th were – First N/S: Rose and Sadie; First E/W: Nancy and Paul. Winners on October 19th were – First N/S: Phil and Paddy; Second N/S: Joan and Dickie; First E/W: Ella and Mairead; Second E/W: Rose and Sadie. Well done to all.

The Durrow Youth Choir will resume on Tuesday 15th November from 4.15pm until 5pm in the FÁS office (building to the right of the Church). Any boys and girls from First class up to the age of 18 are welcome. The choir will be learning different types of song, songs  from the musicals, pop songs, carols, gospel etc… The fee is €10 per child until the Christmas break. Dates of lessons are the 15th, 22nd and 29th of November, the 6th, 13th and 20th of December. If you are interested in this please contact Vicky on (086) 1000230.

Rory O’Connell Cookery Demonstration & Waste Awareness Week – Cullohill Community Council are delighted and very excited to announce that TV Chef and Cullohill native, Rory O’Connell will hold a cookery demonstration in Cullohill Community Centre on Wednesday 23rd of November from 7.30pm until 9.30pm.

The Community Council hope to raise funds at the event to finance the compilation of a ‘Community Development Plan’ which will be a roadmap for developments in the area over the next  number of years. In this regard the Community Council will be selling raffle tickets at the event for €5, with some great prizes up for grabs. All support would be very much appreciated.

‘Stop Food Waste’ Course – In addition to the cookery demonstration, Laois County Council are also holding a ‘Stop Food Waste’ Course which will run over four hours. Course dates are Tuesday the 8th of November, Tuesday the 15th of November, Tuesday the 22nd of November and Tuesday the 29th of   November. The course will take place in the Cullohill Community Centre from 9.30am until 10.30am. (Participants must attend all four sessions).

This is a very beneficial course which will not only ‘stop food waste’ in your home but also save you money. There are twelve spaces available and each participant will receive a ticket for Rory’s cookery demonstration. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Marian Mahony on (086) 8390266 as soon as possible.

The hosting of the cookery demonstration and Stop Food Waste course in Cullohill next month, can be included as part of next year’s Tidy Town submission so your support of both events would be very much appreciated. Don’t forget on Saturday 29th of October the Cullohill Tidy Towns Fancy Dress Halloween Party will be held in O’Connell’s Bar, Cullohill.

The Annual General Meeting of Durrow IFA will be held in Cullohill Community Centre on Thursday 10th November at 8.30pm. The guest speaker will be Chief Superintendent John Scanlon who will speak about rural crime. All are most welcome to attend.

On Saturday, 20th of November from 3pm until 5pm in Ballyouskill Community Hall there will be an opportunity to scan and instantly return any photographs of you and your family’s schoolgoing days at Ballyouskill National School. We would like to be made aware of any memorabilia of that period so that we can either photocopy it or have it available for display at next year’s reunion which is planned to take place on      Saturday, August 5th 2017. For further information contact Pat Holohan on (087) 2244682.

The club next meet on Monday 7th November at 8pm for their AGM. Following that will be a work night with the members of the club. Please remember to bring potted up plants for a plant swap. The Christmas Gala will be held on Monday 21st November at 8pm in The Castle Arms hotel Durrow. Sandra Jackson will be the demonstrator from AOIFA. A good night is promised with lots of brilliant new ideas for decorating at Christmas. Proceeds to Cancer Research and Parkinson’s Ireland.

The final outing of Jack’s Golf Society for 2016 was held in beautiful autumnal sunshine on Esker Hills Golf Club on 29th October. There was a great turnout of members and all enjoyed the day. The winner was Kieran McEvoy, in second place was Peter Dunne and in third place was Jimmy Joyce. The front nine was won by Leo Dunne and the back nine by Stephanie Phelan. The Golfer of the Year was Jimmy Joyce and the Birdie Club prize was shared between Peter Dunne and Cathal Phelan. Congratulations to all the winners and to our Captain Pat Alley. We look forward to more great golf outings in 2017.

Club News:- The club had another successful trip on Sunday 30th October to the canoeing course in Clonmel. Great experience was gained, especially for the new Kayakers and an enjoyable day was had by all.  Pool sessions continue with Balto Canoe Club in Athy Swimming Pool, this is a great opportunity to practice rolling in the water.  Congratulations to Mikie Murphy who took part in the kayaking week-end at Cranafest in Buncrana, Donegal.

The Winter Pool Schedule with Balto Kayak Club which has already started and the following Sunday’s will continue for kayakers to gain experience. Learn to roll or just improve your skills in the warmth of Athy pool. Please confirm with Brian or Matt to reserve your place. Arrive for 5pm, on the water from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. The scheduled pool session dates are      November 20th, December 4th and 18th, January 8th and 22nd, February 5th and 19th and finally March 5th and 19th.

Winter is Coming: With the winter drawing in, paddling will now be at weekends only and advance notice of events and meets will be on our Viber Group or on our Facebook page and Website. We do look forward to seeing you on the water and paddling together and don’t forget to check www.laoiskayak.com for any updates or follow our Facebook page!

“We will thoroughly investigate the German Sparkassen model for the development of local public banks that operate within well defined regions” – Programme for Partnership Government, 2016 – This seminar sketches the idea of a public banking system orientated towards SMEs to close the credit supply gap that exists in the Irish economy. Such banks will improve access to finance for SMEs on a regional basis, and thus will ensure continuous economic development on a more uniform basis by creating a virtuous cycle within those communities.

Please join us for this fascinating presentation on Wednesday 16th November from 10am until 3.30pm. Admission is FREE and open to the Public. Book online here or call: (01) 2407254 or librarydesk@rds.ie by email. Please provide your name, contact details and the number of seats required. Limited parking is available in the RDS Merrion Road Car Park.

Healthy eating for the over 50’s – Ellen Roche (experienced dietician, current Team nutritionist for the Waterford Ladies Senior Football Team and founder of the Nutri Vive Nutrition Clinics in Kilkenny, Carlow and Kildare) will be giving an interactive healthy eating talk on nutrition for optimal health in adults over 50 on Wednesday 9th of November at 11am. All are welcome!

Knitters Needed – We are hoping to form a Durrow Knitting Circle based here in the Library. It could just be to meet for a knit and a natter, alternatively if anyone is interested in trying to form a knitting circle for the Knitted Knockers Breast Cancer Organisation we would be happy to facilitate you. Interested parties can get in touch with Lori at (083) 4274714, (057) 8736090 (during Library hours) or to Lmoriarty@Laoiscoco.ie by email.

Storytelling – We are looking for volunteers to read stories to children on Saturdays. If anyone is interested please contact the library.

Christmas Party Night – 10th December – Four Course meal + Entertainment! Contact Reception for more information on (057) 8736117.

We would like to invite one and all to the newly formed community choir in Durrow. Open to all, from 19 to 90 who love to sing, and have fun. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 11th of October in Durrow Library (the Old Courthouse) on Chapel St at 7.15pm. Come along even if you’re not sure, just to check us out. We look forward to hearing you. For more information call Ann on (086) 6045409.

ST VINCENT de PAUL: Anyone looking for help can contact us on (087) 3476012.

DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES have vacancies for general operatives and also a kitchen helper for the Meals on Wheels project. Call (057) 8736870 for information.

LAOIS WEATHER: Visit www.laoisweather.com online for the latest weather data live from Durrow.

A book with 200 pages of Photographs spanning almost 100 years of Durrow and Cullohill memories including ICA, Hurling, Camogie, Soccer, School to mention but a few. Books for sale €25 each or two for €40. Please text or call Tom on (087) 2936531 or Kathleen on (086) 8263368 for further information.

Durrow Tidy Towns is in much need of volunteers for the coming season, if you feel that you would like to get involved in the community, improve your living environment, have your speak on how you would like your town to improve, how you would like your town to shine and how you would like your town to excel, please keep it in mind as we will be looking for volunteers over the coming months, every little bit helps and every new idea lights a spark in a community that will enhance and improve your own living community and your own living environment, Don’t be shy, have your say and get involved! We will issue further notices in the coming weeks.

Monday 24th October 2016: There was no jackpot winner of €9,950. The Numbers drawn were: 03, 07, 26 and 28. The small draw winners were: €30: Gemma O’Shaughnessy, Durrow, Co. Laois; €25: Ray Campion and Family, Durrow, Co. Laois; €20: Fiona Kenna, c/o The Stores, Durrow, Laois.

Tuesday 1st November 2016: There was no jackpot winner of €10,100. The Numbers drawn were: 15, 16, 24 and 25. The small draw winners were: €30: Mary & Mary-Ann, c/o Mary O’Leary, Durrow, Co. Laois; €25: MSC O’Rourke; €20: Michael Kells, Cullohill, County Laois.

The next newsletter will be on sale next weekend November 19th & 20th. All adverts must be booked with Angela Drennan (087) 1928522 or Mary Walsh (086) 3055157. Advertisements cost €2 per issue of Durrow Parish Newsletter and must be paid for in advance.