Direct from Durrow

THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS: Happy Christmas! We wish all our Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Ventures, Rovers, Scouters and all the families involved a very Happy Christmas and an active 2017. We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year!

GIVE BLOOD THIS CHRISTMAS: The Blood Transfusion Service Mobile Unit will be in Durrow on Thursday December 22nd from 4.30pm to 8.00pm at The Castle Arms Hotel. We appreciate that this could be a busy time coming up to Christmas but to give the gift of life to some person is really the ideal gift to give. Please, we appeal to everyone who can donate to come along as the demand for blood over the Festive season is always greater than the stock in store. To    donate blood will bring life back into some very ill person and your donation will make a huge difference. We hope to see you there.

SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS: On Wednesday the 21st of December next the choir from St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny will join the congregation and friends for a Christmas Carol Service in St. Fintan’s Church (Church of Ireland) in Durrow at 8pm. One and all are most welcome! Mulled wine and mince pies will be served afterwards. There will also be a collection towards continuing work to the Church. Please do come along and support.

MONSTER PROGRESSIVE 25 CARDS GAME: Cullohill Community Centre will host a Monster Progressive 25 Cards Game this Sunday evening, 18th December at 8.45pm sharp. There will be €1000 in prize money to be won! Admission is just €10.

OUR LADY’S MEADOW PRIMARY SCHOOL: This year’s Carol Service will take place in the Parish Church on Monday 19th of December at 7pm. Admission for adults is just €5 which is payable at the door. Children and OAPs are free. All proceeds will go directly to the School. Please come along, enjoy the carols and support the School.

CULLOHILL ICA: Cullohill ICA held their December Meeting in the Community Centre on  Tuesday December 6th. Votes of sympathy were passed with the Mahony Family on death of Kay, to Paddy and Joe Dunphy on death of their brother Kieran in Straffan, and to the family and cousins of Dan Bergin. May they all Rest In Peace.

A big thanks to Ann Holland for her recent Ceramic class where some fine work was produced. Thanks also Julie McGuire on her very successful Pilates Classes which were enjoyed by all the participants. Due to the popular demand for this class we will have a new session planned to start towards the end of February 2017.

The report from the Federation meeting was discussed before some Christmas fare, a cuppa and the raffle concluded the meeting. Our President wished everyone a very Happy Christmas and New Year. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday afternoon, February 7th at 2pm in the Community Centre, Cullohill.

CHURCH NEWS: Mass Readers Rota: Saturday Evenings: December 17th: Noreen Joyce; December 31st and January 7th: Bernie Murphy; January 14th and 21st: Ann-Marie Lalor.  Sunday Mornings: December 18th: Michael Conroy; January 1st: Bea Alley; January 8th and 15th: Stephanie Phelan; January 22nd: Irene Phelan.

Church Cleaning Rota – January 2017: Daisy Dollard, Mary Dollard and Babe Duggan.

Christmas Ceremonies: This year’s Christmas Ceremonies in St .Tighearnachs Church, Cullohill are as follows: Christmas Eve Vigil Mass for The Nativity of Our Lord will be held at 8pm; while on Christmas Day Mass Celebrating the Birth of Our Lord will be held at 10am.

CHURCH GATE COLLECTION FOR EPILEPSY IRELAND: The Harps GAA will undertake their Annual Church Gate Collection this weekend, December 17th and 18th in aid of Epilepsy Ireland before both Mass ceremonies in Cullohill and Durrow. Please support this very worthy cause.

BRIDGE: Durrow Bridge Club continue their Bridge Club meetings every Wednesday night at 7.45pm in the Presentation Centre, Durrow. The winners from November 23rd were as follows: First – Nancy Bennett and Paul Maher; Second – Ella Walsh and Mairead Woods; Third – Dolores Campion and Francis Campion. The winners from November 30th were as follows: First – Ann Fitzpatrick and Dolly Harding; Second – Theresa Muldowney and Jimmy Ryan; Third – Joan Dempsey and Dickie Dempsey. Well done to all.

OUR LADY’S MEADOW PRIMARY SCHOOL: Enrolment is now open for Our Lady’s Meadow Primary School, Durrow for the new year commencing September 2017. If you have not       received an enrolment form from us and want to enrol your child with us please contact the school at (057) 8736329 or email olmns.ias@eircom.net as soon as possible. The closing date for return of completed enrolment forms is 9th January 2017.

Christmas Holidays: The School will close at 12.35pm on this coming Thursday, December 22nd and will re-open on Monday, January 9th 2017.

Parents’ Council: If you are interested in joining the Parents’ Council or would like to help out at future fundraising events, please let us know by sending a text message to (086) 8898110. All help is gratefully appreciated.

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE: A Film Evening will be held in the Centre on Friday, December 30th at 6.30pm for Primary School Children (Juniors to Sixth Class). €2 per child with parent/guardian to accompany children. It promises to be a good evening after all the excitement of Christmas. 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!

BRIAN STANLEY TD – DURROW CLINIC: The next clinic in Durrow will be held on the last Saturday in January (28th) from 12 noon until 12.45pm in The Presentation Centre. The office in Portlaoise is open every day at 5, Church Street and can also be contacted by phone on (057) 8662581 or brian.stanley@oireachtas.ie by email or visit www.brianstanley.ie online.

SATURDAY MARKET: 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!

DURROW PARISH LOTTO RESULTS: Monday 5th December 2016: There was no jackpot winner of €10,850. The Numbers drawn were: 05, 06, 27 and 28. The small draw winners were: €30: Brian Woods, Derrywood, Durrow, Co. Laois; €25: Eileen Farrell, Ballinaslee, Durrow, Co. Laois; €20: Pat Barnaville, Cullohill Village, County Laois.

Monday 12th December 2016: There was no jackpot winner of €11,000. The Numbers drawn were: 01, 11, 17 and 23. The small draw winners were: €30: Justin Brophy, Carrigan St, Durrow, Laois; €25: Pat Barnaville, Cullohill Village, County Laois, €20: Delphine Lawlor, Fermoyle, Durrow, Laois.

DURROW PARISH LOTTO CHRISTMAS RAFFLE DRAW: The draw took place on December 12th last in Dec’s Bar and the winners were as follows: 1st – €50 Cash: Noreen Joyce, Durrow-Cullohill Anglers; 2nd – €50 Cash: Alice O’Shaughnessy, Gun Club; 3rd – €50 Cash: Bridie Dunne, Our Lady’s Meadow; 4th – €50 Cash: Breda Deegan, The Harps GAA; 5th – €50 Cash: Cora Carroll, 3rd Laois Durrow Scouts; 6th – €50 Cash: Gabby Daz, 3rd Laois Durrow Scouts; 7th – €50 Cash: Mary-Teresa Delaney, The Harps; 8th – Bottle of Brandy: Bridgie Newman, 3rd Laois Durrow Scouts; 9th – Bottle of Vodka: Stephen Ryan, Durrow-Cullohill Anglers; 10th – Bottle of Vodka: Frankie Kelly, Durrow-Cullohill Anglers; 11th – Bottle of Vodka: Michael Drennan, The Harps; 12th – Bottle of Bacardi: Casey and Chloe Drennan, 3rd Laois Durrow Scouts; 13th – Bottle of Jameson: Susie Tone, Durrow-Cullohill Anglers; 14th – Bottle of Jameson: Donal Foley, Gun Club; 15th – Bottle of Baileys: Jack Doran, Durrow-Cullohill Anglers; 16th – Bottle of Powers: Eileen Kirwan, Gun Club; 17th – Bottle of Red Wine: Gerry Gilmartin, Durrow-Cullohill Anglers; 18th – Bottle of White Wine: Michael “Pecker” Dunne, The Harps; 19th – Tin of Afternoon Tea: Mary Walsh, 3rd Laois Durrow Scouts; 20th – Box of Quality Street: Tanatda Stapleton, Gun Club. Well done to all the winners!

DURROW COMMUNITY COUNCIL: The Council would like thank Aylward Haulage for their help and assistance in delivering and erecting this year’s Christmas Tree on the Green. We would like to also thank the FAS Team, Jim Clancy and all the volunteers for their help. It is all very much appreciated. We would like to wish everybody a very Happy Christmas.

DURROW DEVELOPMENT FORUM: The Forum would like to thank Vocem Daru Choir for their wonderful carol service at the switching on of the Christmas lights on Monday evening last. The evening was enjoyed by all, both young and old. We would like also to acknowledge the huge work done by Jim Clancy, who was assisted by the Durrow Fire Brigade and the FAS Team in hanging all the lights across the town. The work done is to a very high standard and we are sure that all residents will enjoy the extra festive cheer this brings. Our best wishes to everyone for a very Happy Christmas.

LAOIS KAYAK AND CANOE CLUB: Thank You: Laois Kayak and Canoe Club would like to thank everybody who contributed and supported our bag pack at Dunnes Stores, Portlaoise     on Saturday 10th December. All contributions were very much appreciated and contribute highly to the maintenance of the club.

Water Rescue: Congratulations to Matt McGrath on completing the White Water Rescue   Technician course in Wicklow recently. Matt is one of our instructors and this course will benefit both Matt and the club immensely.

REC 3 Course: Fergal Hill is organising a Rescue emergency care (REC3) revalidation course on Friday 20th of January (evening) and full day on Saturday 21st of January. It will be held in Castletown, Co. Laois and will cost €100. This is a re-certification so you must have REC3 already in date or very recently expired. If you’re interested please contact Fergal through our LKCC Facebook page.

St. Stephen Day Paddle: The Annual St. Stephens Day family paddle will take place on 26th December, meeting at the club house in Durrow at 11.00am, and afterwards at Bob’s Bar Durrow for light refreshments.  All are most welcome to attend and it is as always, a perfect get out after Christmas Day.

Christmas Wishes: Wishing al our Kayakers, both old and new  very happy christmas and new year, we enjoyed paddling together in 2016 and look forward to paddling with you in 2017.  Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page and website for updates.

2017 Memberships will become due from April to May and reminders will be sent out.  If you are interested in kayaking please do have a look at our Facebook page and website for further details – see www.laoiskayak.com online.

ATHLETICS: Well done to Avril Deegan who ha been selected to run on the Irish team for the Celtic International XC in Cardiff at the end of January following a great run in the U19 All    Ireland XC Championship in Dundalk where Avril came home to win the silver medal finishing 2nd overall. Avril also led the Leinster team to victory, winning the inter-provincial title.

CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: 2016 has been a fantastic year once again for Cullohill  Handball Club. Niamh Dunne has once again been our top performer resulting in her receiving the Laois GAA Sports Star award. Niamh won 40×20 Junior Singles and Doubles Leinster and All Ireland and by doing so have qualified to play Intermediate and Senior Handball in 2017.

Niamh also won National and US Collegiate titles representing University Of Limerick. In 60×30 Niamh reached all Four Leinster Finals Intermediate and Senior playing the doubles with Ciara Dowling. One Wall is where Niamh has done what no other Laois player has achieved when she won the Leinster Senior Open Final last month.

Padraig Delaney was Leinster U17 Champion in 40×20 and 60×30 and he reached the All Ireland Final in 40×20.

The Girls had a hugely successful Championship campaign and really give confidence for the  future achieving Leinster Champions in three grades, U12 Emma Delaney and Lucy O’Connor, U13 Aoife Dunne and Ruby McEvoy and at U14 Lauren McGuigan and Aoife Brophy. The Club had a very successful Feile Na nGeal achieving medals as Shield winners in three divisions along with a win in the Skills competition for Jim O’Connor.

Cullohill Handball Club would like to thank all parents for their support throughout the year bringing their children to training and to matches, it is important that parents take an active role in ensuring that the Juvenile club goes from strength to strength in 2017 and beyond.

THE HARPS GAA CLUB: Wrenboys Hurling Tournament: Join us for an adult hurling tournament to be held on St. Stephen’s Day with four teams picked from within the club’s membership. It all throws-in at 11am with the first semi-final followed the second semi-final at 11.45am. The two losing sides will meet at 12.30pm for the shield final followed by the Cup   Final at 1.15pm. All games will be played at The Harps GAA pitch in Durrow. Do come along and enjoy the craic and bring the family. Admission is free. There will be a bucket collection for the Aishlinn Centre held on the day.

Congratulations: Well done to The Harps’ Darragh Kelly who was part of the Heywood CS team who won the South leinster C football final recently beating PDLS Bagnelstown.

LIONS AFC: Tickets are currently on sale for the 43rd Lions FC Annual Christmas Draw. Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5. Please support.

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

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

DURROW REMINISCING GROUP: 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: 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.

NEW YEARS DAY WALK AND VINTAGE RUN IN BALLYCOLLA: New Years Day in Ballacolla is the place to be for the Annual Richard Moynan Memorial Walk and Vintage run.The  Vintage run will take a 15k route starting in Ballacolla village at 2.00pm with registration for all (donation) from 1.00pm and continue by Grantstown, Coolacurragh, Cannonswood, Woodenbridge and return to the finish by Lalor’s Farm Ballygague where the usual Christmas cheer will be served.The annual walk will also start at 2.00pm and have it’s usual 6.5 km route. The event will support local community groups. A monster raffle with refreshments will be held at the finish at finish in St. Patrick’s Hall followed by entertainment in all hostelries.  For more info contact (087) 2395357.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be on sale the weekend of January 14th & 15th. 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.