Direct from Durrow

The Laois Alzheimer Social Club is holding a Social Club meeting on Thursday January 26th from 2.30pm to 4.30pm in The Portlaoise Parish Centre. The Social Club is open to people with Dementia and their loved ones as an informal get together. You will have access to information and support and exchange ideas and experiences whilst enjoying a cup of tea in a relaxed environment. For more information and details please contact Ann Munnelly on (086) 8372168.

The Killermogh Parishes January Whist Drive will be held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Rd, Durrow on Thursday January 26th at 8.30 pm. All are most welcome.

Scoil Tighearnach Naofa, Cullohill is now open for enrolment for September 2017. Please contact the office at (057) 8737281 for more details.

Contact Kathleen on (057) 8736415 or (086) 8263368.

Monday 19th December 2016: There was no jackpot winner of €11,150. The numbers drawn were: 05, 15, 16 and 18. The small draw winners were: €30: Mary    Geoghegan, Ballyboodin, Ballacolla, Co. Laois; €25: Daniel Dunne, Erkindale Drive, Durrow, Co. Laois; €20: Paul Kenna, Erkindale Drive, Durrow, County Laois.

Monday 9th January 2017: There was no jackpot winner of €11,300. The numbers drawn were: 03, 05, 11 and 18. The small draw winners were: €30: Imelda Carroll, c/o Kathleen Dunne; €25: Simon Dunphy, Derry Rd, Durrow, Co. Laois; €20: John Dunphy, Oldtown, Cullohill, Co. Laois.

Monday 16th January 2017: There was no jackpot winner of €11,450. The numbers drawn were: 20, 21, 23 and 24. The small draw winners were: €30: Andrew Walsh Snr, Erkindale, Durrow, Laois; €25: Daniel Kenna, c/o Tuckers, Durrow, Laois; €20: Ailish O’Dea, c/o Durrow Post Office.

The Community Council will hold a Cake Sale in the Presentation Centre after the Masses on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th of February. Your generous support will be most welcome as all proceeds will go towards the running expenses of the Annual Senior Citizens’ Party.

The next Cullohill and Durrow Flower Club meeting will be held in Manor Stone Garden Centre on Tuesday January 24th at 2.30pm. Please do come along and bring a friend for a Gardening workshop and a cuppa. All are most welcome.

A very successful annual general meeting of the Woodenbridge Community Alert was held recently in Newtown Mill. The meeting which was attended by Sgt. Mark Doran held a very positive discussion on CCTV for the area. The importance of the text alert system and the continued   support of all both inside and outside the area was praised. It was decided to hold a social event in the New Year. Former secretary Ann Marie Cannon who has moved from the area was thanked for all her work over the last number of years. Thanks was also extended to Tara at Newtown Mill for her continued support. Also remembered were a number of members who sadly passed away during the past year.

The meeting concluded with our brilliant catering committee providing mulled wine, tea, etc… for all. The officers elected were as follows: Chairman – Michael G Phelan; Vice Chairman – Kevin Galvin; Secretary – Anne Sharples; Assistant Secretary – Kay Geoghegan; Joint Treasurers – Liam Geoghegan and Michael Broderick; Tec – Kevin Brennan.

Storytelling with Sarah is back after the Christmas break! And Sarah has kindly volunteered her time and talents to sit in our kid’s corner and tell some of the funniest and loveliest    stories from our children’s section. Why do Aliens wear underpants? What do you do with the world’s most annoying elephant? Who exactly is Superworm? Come along on Saturdays at midday and find out! No booking needed.

Caife agus Comhrá is a new group hoping to start meeting in the library regularly. Focusing on using their cúpla focail and having chats while having a cuppa, they are looking for experienced Irish speakers as well as beginners to add some numbers to their group.

Poetry Club – there has been some interest in the area in creating a poetry group. Whether it’s for the lost art of recitation, discussing your favourite poems or for the chance to read some of your own original work in front of a supportive group – Durrow Library hopes to host a one of a kind club dedicated to the spoken word!

Other News: The Exhibition on Betty Ridge and Castle Durrow’s fairytale is still available to view at the Durrow Library. We also received a lot of new Adult Fiction over the holidays and it’s well worth a browse – remember membership is free!

Opening Times: Tuesdays – 1.30pm to 7.30pm (closed 5.30pm-6pm); Wednesdays – 10am to 5.30pm (closed 1.30pm-2pm) and Saturdays from 11am to 1pm. Computers, printers and photocopier available for public use at a small fee. Contact Lori for more details on any of these groups or events at (083) 4274714 or contact lmoriarty@laoiscoco.ie by email.

Canoeing Ireland Appointment: LKCC would like to congratulate our club member, PRO and canoeing instructor Brian Ogilvie on his appointment as an Executive to      Canoeing Ireland. Brian has taken up his role as an Honorary Secretary but continues to work tirelessly in the development of Laois Kayak and Canoe Club. Brian and his team are responsible for the day to day financial and administrative affairs of the Union, employment of staff, and the achievement of the Union’s policies and objectives. We wish him the very best of luck in his new position.

Winter Pool Schedule continues with Balto Kayak Club on the following Sundays 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 pool session dates are January 15th, 22nd, February 5th and 19th.

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

The Annual General Meeting of Durrow-Cullohill Parish Anglers was held in the Durrow Inn on Friday January 13th and was very well attended. The officers elected were: Chairman – Philip Kearney; Vice Chairman – Tommy Coffey; Secretary – Mick Walsh; Assistant Secretary – Pat Dunphy; Treasurer – Oliver Lawlor; Assistant – Niall Donohue. Committee: David Walsh, Alan Dwyer, Ian Drennan, Simon Dwyer, Jonathan Stapleton, Seanie Delahunty, Patrick O’Regan Declan McDonald and Seamus Coffey. Membership remains the same as last year and membership cards/day permits are available in Lawlor’s Gala, Daybreak, Lawlor’s Flower Shop and from Michael Walsh, Erkindale.

On Sunday January 22nd the club will host their first Pike Fishing competition of 2017 on Grantstown Lake. Fishing will be from 9am to 4pm with the results and presentations in Durrow Inn at 5pm.

Get fit, lose weight and feel better. With memberships from €32 per month, Personal training for less than €7 per session, at a time that suits you. Pilates, Yoga and Circuit training classes ongoing, you really have no more excuses! Feel free to come in and look around. For more information visit our website www.corehealthandfitness.ie or contact us on (087) 9302152 or (057) 8740637 or info@corehealthandfitness.ie by email.

Best of luck to Avril Deegan representing Ireland in the Celtic International Under 20’s Cross Country Race in Cardiff, Wales this Sunday.

Annual General Meeting: The Harps Camogie Club AGM will be held on Friday 20th January at 8pm in Cullohill Community Centre. All are most welcome.

Indoor Training: The Club is running indoor training in Durrow and Cullohill over the coming weeks for U8 and U6 age level. The first sessions will take place in the hall (opposite the Church) in Durrow on Tuesdays starting at 7pm. Girls aged 5 to 8 years are all invited to come for an hour of fun and games. Hurleys will be available for use but a helmet is required and runners must be worn. For information please contact Mary Donohue on (087) 2866147.

Presentation Night: On Friday, 28th of January, the Castle Arms Hotel will host an evening to honour our victorious U17s who won County honours in both Hurling and Football. All are most welcome to attend.

Floodlit Ball Wall: Plans are underway to mark the completion of floodlighting at our new Ball Wall in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out on social media and in shop windows across the parish for details when they emerge.

AGM: The Annual General Meeting of the Harps GAA Club was held on Sunday, 8th of January in the Clubhouse Gym Hall and was well attended.

The officers elected were as follows; President: Jimmy Fogarty; Chairman: Seamus Campion; Vice Chairman: Gabby Irwin; Secretary: David Finnegan; Assistant Secretary & PRO: Daniel Dunne; Treasurer: Imelda Galvin; Assistant Treasurer: Barry Murphy; County Delegate: Tommy Walsh; Health & Safety and Player Welfare: Maura Galvin; Health & Wellbeing: Tommy Kenna; Childrens’ Officer: Nicola Walshe; Coaching Officer: Conor Murphy; Cultural Officer: Donal Deegan. Committee: Albert Townsend, Pat Barnaville, Claire Delahunty, Sean Conroy, Noel       Delaney, Dan Deegan, Mick Fitzpatrick, Brian Farrell, Richie Comerford, Tommy Moore, Breda Dunne, Kevin Galvin, Noel Kirby and Barney O’Connor.

The next clinic will be held on Saturday 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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

The next newsletter will be on sale the weekend of February 4th & 5th. 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.