Direct from Durrow

The committee wish to thank Paddy Quinn and all the FÁS Team, Seosamh Murphy and Staff Castle Arms Hotel, Crafts people and all those who distributed  posters, fliers and those who shared the Event on social media. Our sincere thanks to all who visited on the day and contributed to the success of the Fair. The raffle result was: First Prize – A Large Hamper was won by Gert Bolger, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford; Second Prize – A Bottle of Wine and Mince Pies was won by Mairead Phelan, Avalon, Castledurrow, Durrow. A donation will be made to Durrow Befriending Group.

Wednesday 23rd November – Cullohill Community Centre – Rory O’Connell is to return to his native Cullohill on 23rd November to promote the benefits of preventing food waste in a free cookery demonstration, thanks to  funding secured by Laois County Council via the EPA’s Local Authority Prevention Network   programme and additional support provided by Cullohill Community Council and Cullohill Tidy Towns. Entry to the event is by ticket only and the event is fully subscribed. The event will take place from 7pm until 9pm on Wednesday next in Cullohill Community Centre. Doors will open at 6.30pm and the event will commence at 7pm sharp. A great night is guaranteed and we look forward to welcoming everyone to Cullohill.

Congratulations to Emily Duggan, Lakefield, Dereen, Durrow, who was honoured at the Irish Safety National Awards ceremony recently. She saved her brother Justin who had fallen into an old disused septic tank. Emily used a hurl for him to grab on to and brought him to safety. It was an old disused septic tank that was covered over and the top had corroded and the family were not aware of it being there. Emily was just 8 years old at the time and Justin was only 5 years old. Well done to Emily for her quick thinking – she is an inspiration to all of us.

A candlelight evening of songs, words and music for all the family will be held in the Castle Arms Hotel on Friday night, December 9th starting at 7.30pm. Stars of the show will be Mary Byrne of X-Factor; Patrick Bergin – Hollywood film star, singer and poet; Michael Creagh (raconteur and poet) and will also feature the newly formed Durrow Community Choir “Vocem Daru Choir” – lots of talent to guarantee a great night!    Tickets are available from €20 for adults and €10 for Students. All profits will go to The Save Our Mountain Fund and/or Community projects in Cullohill, Gathabawn and Durrow.

Readers Rota: Saturday Evenings: November 19th: Martin Lawlor; November 26th and December 3rd: Ann Vaugh. Sunday Mornings: November 20th: Deirdre Moore; November 27th and December 4th: Kevin Kelly.

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 the Moore family, Tubberboe and the O’Dea family, Rath, Durrow, on their recent bereavement.

The next Whist will be held on Thursday, November 24th at 8.30pm in the Parochial House, Cork Rd, Durrow.

The Annual HSE Christmas Dinner will be held in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise on Tuesday 13th of December at 2pm. All grades are welcome along. For more details and/or to book a place contact C. Griffin on (087) 2068974 or B. Coaley on (086) 8812228 before Tuesday 6th December to assist in finalising numbers for the event.

The Next meeting will be held in Cullohill Community Centre on Tuesday December 6th at 2pm in the afternoon.

The committee wish to thank everyone who supported the Clothes Collection recently. Our next collection date will be in early January. More details in a later issue.

Durrow Bridge Club continue their Bridge Club meetings every Sunday night at 7.45pm in the Presentation Centre, Durrow. The winners on November 2nd were as follows: First – Babe Duggan and Jimmy Ryan; Second – Nora Fitzpatrick and Teresa Phelan; Third – Phil Kingston and Paddy Purcell.

A Monster Bingo afternoon with €5,000 in prize money will be held on Sunday 27th November at Mountrath Community School from 3.00pm. All are most welcome.

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

CONGRATULATIONS to Aoife Phelan, Knockanoran, Durrow and Shane Rothwell, Abbeyleix, on their  recent marriage.

Congratulations to Danny Donohue, Bishopswood, Durrow and Natalie Burke, Lucan, Co. Dublin on their recent marriage.

Congratulations to John and Teresa Kennedy, Castlewood, Durrow, on the birth of a daughter Judith.

Congratulations to Derek and Cathriona Phelan, Tubberboe, Durrow, on the birth of a daughter Emma.

Catherine Creagh will relocate to Ballygarvan, Ballacolla from this Tuesday, 22nd November. A mobile hairdressing service will also be available. You can contact Catherine on (087) 7942679 and also on Facebook. .

A Christmas Arts and Crafts Workshop will be held on  Saturday 3rd of December from 2pm until 5pm in the Presentation Centre, Durrow. Ages 7 to 12 years old will cost €20 per child, family discounts available. Contact: Aisling 086 0706363 Helen 087 2360678.

Information workshops will be held in advance of the official call for Expression of Interests (EoI) for funding under the new LEADER Rural Development Programme (2014 – 2020). It will be important to attend this workshops if you intend to apply for funding under the LEADER programme. A workshop will be held on Tuesday, 22nd November at 8.00pm in St. Joseph’s National School, Borris-in-Ossory, Co. Laois. All are most welcome.

Laois Public Participation Network are holding a Funding and Resources Workshop for all Community Groups in Laois, on Tuesday the 29th of November from 5.00pm to 9.00pm in The Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise. This will be an exhibition style event with different organisations, companies etc… providing relevant information to   community groups about various grants, supports, resources, training, insurance etc… Laois Partnership will also make at presentation at 7.15pm on the evening about the new round of the LEADER programme, in advance of the official call for Expression of Interests (EOI) for funding under the new Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020. This event is free and open to all.

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.

Congratulations to Avril Deegan on her recent cross country success. Avril        recently came First in both the Laois Under 19 and Laois Junior XC and last weekend took part in the Leinster Under 19 XC in Tyrellspass winning silver. Next week sees Avril out in the Laois Senior competition and the following weekend in the All Ireland Juniors at Abbotstown, Dublin. Wishing Avril continued success in the cross country season.

The Durrow Youth Choir continues on Tuesdays throughout November and  December 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. If you are interested in this please contact Vicky Murphy on (086) 1000230 as places are limited.

The Harps Camogie Club are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the 2006, 2007, 2008 All-Ireland Winning Teams on Saturday 26th November. This day of  celebration will kick-off with an ‘exhibition’ match between the All-Ireland Winning Panels versus current players at 1.30pm in Durrow GAA Pitch. The reminiscing will continue later in Bob’s Bar with video footage of the 2006-2008 games starting at 8pm, with finger food and  music available. We would like to extend an open invite to all our families, friends, supporters, past and present players to join us this day. Collection buckets will be available over the   weekend and all donations will go back into the club to help develop the stars of the future! Please support.

The Annual Christmas Gala will be held on Monday 21st November at 8pm in The Castle Arms hotel Durrow. Sandra Jackson will be the guest 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.

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.

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.

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 weekend at Cranafest in      Buncrang, Donegal.

Interested in Kayaking: As is standard and due to the shorter evenings, paddling will now be on at the weekends only. If you are interested in taking up paddling, please have a look at the event dates on Facebook and on our website for details www.laoiskayak.com online.

ST VINCENT de PAUL:

Anyone looking for help can contact us on (087) 3476012.

Midland Cakes by Rita along with Kyle Farm Potatoes AND Fresh Veg are both 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!

EMPLOYMENT:

Leo Dunne Ltd, Durrow now have vacancies for part time and full time staff as general operatives. Please apply to info@leodunne.com by email only.

Monday 7th November 2016: There was no jackpot winner of €10,250. The Numbers drawn were: 02, 09, 10 and 26. The small draw winners were: €30: Bridie Donohue; €25: Quinn Family, c/o Our Lady’s Meadow School; €20: MSC O’Rourke, c/o The Angling Club.

Monday 14th November 2016: There was no jackpot winner of €10,400. The Numbers drawn were: 13, 14, 19 and 25. The small draw winners were: €30: The BC+LC+IF+JQ Syndicate at Bob’s Bar; €25: Paul Clooney, Erkindale Drive, Durrow, Laois; €20: Stephanie+David Bergin, Grennan, Attanagh.

Is your laptop running slow?, full of pop-up ads? and generally frustrating to use? Call Laois Computer Services on (087) 4103520 – Phone 6pm-10pm and 10am-6pm weekends.

Good quality eating potatoes for sale in 10kg or 20kg bags. Can be delivered. Contact (057) 8737197.

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.

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.

NEXT NEWSLETTER:

The next newsletter will be on sale this weekend December 3rd & 4th. 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.