Latest news from Ballinakill, Cullohill, Durrow and Spink

DURROW PARISH NEWSLETTER:

Good News!

After a long break of over eighteen months owing to the Covid 19 Pandemic, the Durrow Parish Newsletter paper format is due to be back on sale on the weekend of Friday, November 19th 2021. All clubs, organisations and groups are encouraged to email their news and notices to info@durrow.ie for inclusion in the newsletter which once again will be sold in Kenna’s Family Meats Store and outside the Roman Catholic Church before Mass times. The newsletter, compiled by Third Laois Durrow Scouts Group has been on sale since it’s inception in 1988 and a spokesperson for the Group was delighted to see the tradition of this local news source return again. Anyone wishing to place an advert must book with Angela Drennan (087) 1928522 and pay the small fee to her at Erkindale Drive in Durrow.

DURROW COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 

Durrow Community Council are holding a hamper draw to raise funds to cover the cost of the Large Christmas Tree in the green and also for the Senior Citizens Party. There are seven lovely prizes including a super hamper as first prize. The prizes are on display in the Post Office and the tickets are on sale at just €2 each or three for €5. So if you are asked to buy a ticket, please don’t hesitate, you will be helping two great events in the Durrow calendar!

HEYWOOD COMMUNITY SCHOOL:

Virtual Tour and Presentation for Incoming First Years 2022/2023! Link available to Primary Schools and Parents/Guardians on School Website www.heywood.ie online from 15th to 30th October 2021 inclusive. Further queries to admin@heywood.ie by email or telephone: (057) 8733333. Important Dates to Remember: The school will commence accepting applications for admission from 18th October 2021. Closing date for applications for admission is the  8th of November 2021. Notification of decision on application will be made by 29th November 2021. Applicants must confirm acceptance of offer by the 13th of December 2021 (before 4pm). Provisional DatesThursday 20th January 2022 – Information Evening for Incoming First Years; Saturday 12th February 2022 – Aptitude Tests for Incoming First Years. * Please note these provisional dates are subject to change based on Government Guidelines and Covid-19 restrictions *

SPONSOR A BAG OF BULBS:

It’s been approx fifteen plus years since we had our fundraiser to sponsor a bag of bulbs for planting the beautiful daffodils on the approach roads into Durrow. You may have noticed that the burst of spring yellow has not been as bright lately and in particular on the Abbeyleix road.  We are reaching out to the community both at home and abroad to sponsor a bag of bulbs and if you’d like to do so, this is the link to sponsor online or if you’d like to sponsor any amount towards the bulbs you can do so by dropping an envelope marked Durrow Tidy Towns to Lawlors Gala in the square or to our treasurer Rita Casey. This would also make a great Christmas gift for family and friends. Thank-you as always for keeping Durrowlooking beautiful. Visit www.durrowscarecrowfestival.com/community-shop for details on purchasing.

THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS NEWS:

If your child is interested in joining scouting at any age, please email Leanne our group leader at gldurrow@gmail.com. We’re also looking for adults to join as leaders –  the time commitment you give can be flexible and since we’re a voluntary organisation we rely on our fantastic leaders, without whom the group simply couldn’t exist. And who knows, you might even enjoy yourselves!!!And if being a leader isn’t your thing but you’d like to help in other ways then you could always join our parents and friends committee who help with fundraisers and general logistics throughout the year or become an associate member and offer help that way. Looking forward to September when we will be starting the adventure again.

DURROW SCARECROW FESTIVAL APPEAL:

We are continuing to fundraise to match fund a grant received for stage two of our community hall! Our Festival as most of you will know is a huge fundraiser for projects within our community including the maintenance of our much loved amenity areas. If you can assist, please do, any amount would be so much appreciated. We are in this together and will look forward to working with and seeing you all in 2022! Visit www.gofundme.com/f/scarecrow-festival-community-hub online to donate if you can.  If you are not online, you can donate directly if you wish, this can be done by dropping an envelope into Happy Days Crèche or Lawlors Gala and addressing the same to DDF/Community Hub.

ST. CANICE’S CREDIT UNION DURROW:

St. Canice’s Credit Union is located on Mary Street in Durrow. It provides a range of services including Current Accounts, globally accepted Debit Cards, Loans including Mortgages and Agri, Online Banking Services and a Mobile App.  Contact Mary, Catherine or Breda.  Opening Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm also Fridays from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm. Visit our website at www.stcanicescu.ie online. Phone: 056 7722042 (available 6 days – Monday to Saturday) or 056 8736522. Email: info@stcanicescu.ie(also available 6 days – Monday to Saturday).

CHRISTMAS FAIR AT DURROW – CALLING ALL TRADERS:

Looking to trade at the 2021 Durrow Christmas Market on Sunday 28th November? We’ve a few spaces left but please note we are booked out for Jewellery, Wood Turners, Chocolatiers, Coffee and Woodturners. If you’re Laois based too, we’d love to promote your products with us! Contact emer@durrow.ie for more details.

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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 COMMUNITY ALERT:

With the long winter nights now here people are asked to keep an eye on their elderly neighbours daily. Check that they have enough fuel to keep warm, enough food to last a number of days, that they are healthy and not in need of medical attention. Check visitors and report strange movement of people and cars to your local community alert and to the Gardaí 

PILATES CLASSES:

Pilates Classes continue in Cullohill Community Centre and will continue every Tuesday from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. All welcome, do come along and enjoy yourself!

IRISH DANCING CLASSES:

Scoil Rince Katrina practises Traditional Irish Dancing for all ages in a fun-filled environment. Benefits are numerous as it helps children to engage in their coordination, improves posture, helps them learn about timing and rhythm and encourages teamwork. Our main focus is to try to bring out the best in every individual and improve their confidence. There are regular competitions if dancers choose to take part. Book now to secure your place. Contact Katrina on 085 7606866. Classes take place in Durrow Community Hall on Monday evenings.

NUMBER FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – UPDATED JULY 2021: Our new contact number for assistance is 087 6974792.

BIKES FOR HIRE:

“Pedal Vintage” Durrow Community Bike Hire Scheme. Make the most of the end of Summer! Cycle on the quiet country roads around Durrow and enjoy a cuppa at one of our lovely coffee shops or restaurants. Comfortable leisure style bikes for hire seven days a week at only five euro per hour, to include vintage style helmet and hi-vis jacket. Call 0868694691 or email  durrow.doings@gmail.com for more information.

LEAVE NO TRACE:

Please remember to leave no trace when out and about on our walks both in Durrow and around Durrow. We are proud members of Leave No Trace and we hope you will follow suit. Please keep your dogs on a lead, pick up after them and take your rubbish home with you. Leave our town and walk clean for all to enjoy safely. Be a part of who we are and what we believe in.

WALKERS TAKE NOTE:

Please remember that dogs are required to be on a lead on the Leafy Loop walk in Durrow. Please remember that the walk crosses Private, Coillte and Farmland and all dogs are required to be on a lead throughout the route, without exception. For local walkers, if you see a dog off the lead, please do remind visitors that dogs need to be on a lead as although there is some signage reminding people, sometimes it can be missed and visitors may not be aware that dogs must be on a lead at all times.

LIVE LOCAL WEATHER:

Visit www.laoisweather.com for live local weather data from Durrow.

DURROW COMMUNITY SATURDAY MARKET:

 Durrow Community Market continues on Saturdays from 9am to 12 noon on the Kilkenny Road beside the church. Social Distancing will be in practice and please adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines!

NEXT NEWSLETTER:

The next newsletter will be out on the weekend of November 19th 2021. All adverts must be booked with Angela Drennan (087) 1928522 or (057) 8736419. Advertisements cost €2 per issue of Durrow Parish Newsletter and must be paid for in advance. Clubs and Organisations are encouraged to email info@durrow.ie with their ongoing news and notices which will be printed in the upcoming newsletter and also be posted on the Durrow.ie website.