Your news from Ballinakill, Cullohill, Durrow and Spink

OUR LADY’S MEADOW PRIMARY SCHOOL:

Our Lady’s Meadow Primary School will commence accepting applications for admission to Junior Infants for the School Year 2022-2023 on Monday 15th November 2021. The schools admission policy, Annual admission notice and application forms are available on school website www.ourladysmeadow.org or from the school by phone 0578736329 or to ourladysmeadowschool@gmail.com by email. Application for the school ASD class can also be made from Monday November 15th 2021.

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.iefor 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 Durrow looking 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.

DURROW.IE WEBSITE:

We are delighted to announce three new members to our team of volunteers who will be involved in updating our community website. The expansion of the team means that more news, sports and notices content will be posted regularly for visitors to the site. AdrianS, DeeC and SiobhanS kindly responded to the recent appeal for more volunteers and we are very grateful to having them on board with us. Do visit the website at www.durrow.ie and see their articles. If anyone else who feels they would like to join the team and help out, please drop us an email to info@durrow.ie for further information. 

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 2021:

A huge thanks is extended to Durrow Community Services CLG for their work in putting up the Christmas lights in preparation for the Making Spirits Bright Christmas Market event in Durrow on Sunday 28th November. There’s a lot of hard background work that people don’t even see and it’s important that we acknowledge their help. It’s so much appreciated! 

REPLACEMENT DEFIBRILLATOR:

Durrow Development Forum has recently replaced the Defibrillator in The Square. It’s located on the wall at Lawlors GALA Store. We would like to especially thank The White Lady Drama Group for a very generous donation towards this and to Durrow Fire & Rescue for their recommendations on which Defibrillator to use and to Justin Brophy for installing the unit – a great all round community effort.

***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 walks 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.iewith their ongoing news and notices which will be printed in the upcoming newsletter and also be posted on the Durrow.ie website.
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LIONS AFC NEWS: Lions U-14 Boys –

The current Lions Under 14 Blue Team are managed by Robbie Dempsey, Fred Townsend and Lorcan Mahoney. And Emma Brett is Covid Officer. As with all of our underage teams, these boys started their journey with the Club Academy back in 2013. From early on it was obvious that this group had a passion and a love for the beautiful game.In 2017 at under 9 the team entered a non-competitive blitz in Huntstown-Hartstown in Dublin and displayed impressive football skills against top Dublin teams. Following this they were invited to attend the prestigious DB Sports Cup that summer. The team progressed through to the final after beating such notable schoolboy academies as Shamrock Rovers and St. Kevin’s Boys enroute but unfortunately Cherry Orchard proved too strong in the final for us on the day. The bar was set at a high level and the boys returned a few years later at Under 11 level to win the DB Sports Shield. Further success was achieved that year when the lads won the Andy Reid Shield at the prestigious Cherry Orchard Tournament.This team played non competitive in the Kilkenny League at under 8, 9 and 10. While still under 10 they entered the David Doran Cup where they played teams a year older than themselves. Losing only once in the group stages, they qualified for the Shield Final, which they lost after extra time to Thomastown. The following year again in the David Doran Cup, the boys went further and this time they beat Freebooters after penalties in an epic encounter.At under 12 the boys were at the top of the table in March when the Pandemic struck and the league was suspended. The impressive performances of the lads lead to call ups to the Regional Kilkenny Team for Tony Mahony, Rob McEvoy and Eoin Delaney. Now at under 14, the team has advanced to the second round of the Sketchers Cup and are unbeaten in the Kilkenny League after three games.Next up for this team is a home game in the Sketchers Cup Saturday 13th November at 2pm V Carrick Utd. Further success and individual accolades await this fine bunch of young footballers, who continue to make the club proud with their display of high standards both in a footballing sense and with their attitude and respect that they continue to show.Panel : Eoin Holland, Scott Hovendan, Ronan Comerford, Kieran Bergin, Tony Mahony, Milo Brennan, Liam Townsend, Ben Holohan, Eoin Delaney, Rob McEvoy, Ciaran McManimon, John Coonan, Cillian Dunphy, Conor Dempsey, Joey Dempsey, Sean Dempsey.

THE HARPS GAA SPLIT THE POT:

We encourage club members, parents and supporters to sign up for a standing order for the weekly split the bucket draw. Just €8 a month gives one entry a week, €16 a month gives two entries a week and €20 a month gives three entries a week. For standing order details contact Joe Deegan, 0879678729, Brian Farrell, 0879555500, or Shane Brophy, 0872034035. There is a lot of expenditure at present in improving the pitches and grounds in Cullahill and Durrow and all support is gratefully appreciated.

THE HARPS GAA CLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:

The Harps GAA will hold their AGM on Sunday 21st November at 5pm in Cullohill Community Centre. Nominations and motions for consideration should be emailed to secretary.theharps.laois@gaa.ie as soon as possible. All are most welcome to attend.

ODIN KETTLEBELL CLUB:

Kids Classes 6pm Tuesday & Friday; Adults class 7pm  Tuesday & Friday. Learn how to use a kettlebell effectively while burning up to 1000 (yes 1000) calories per class. An overall body workout that will make you stronger while burning excess fat. Kettlebell fitness also improves mobility and flexibility. All fitness levels and ages welcome. Small class sizes and all covid guidelines adhered to. Personalised programmes for those who wish to compete. Odin Kettlebell Club are affiliated to The Association of Kettlebell Sport Ireland and operate under the guidelines of the World Kettlebell Sport Federation.  For further information or to book your place dm here or phone 089 4400758.

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Sincere Condolences are extended to the Prendergast and Kenna Families on the recent death of Carmel Prendergast, Kilsby, UK (formerly Swan Rd, Durrow).

CHURCH NEWS: Mass Schedule:

The following Mass schedule has been set up and is now effective: Saturday Vigil Mass Cullahill: 7.00pm, Durrow 7.30pm Errill 8.30pm. Sunday Mass: Rathdowney; 10.30am, Durrow 12 noon.Parish Office: The new Parish Office is now open at the Presentation Centre beside the Church or call (085) 2625033. Opening hours for this office will be from 10am to 2pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The booking of Masses, Chrisenings of babies, sale of Mass Cards, Booking of weddings and funeral arrangements will go through this office. All matters relating to church business in the parish must also go through this office.

JOB VACANCIES:

We currently have two vacancies on our Community Employment Scheme: Position: 2 x Environmental WorkersLocation: Durrow and BallacollaNo Experienced RequiredWork 19.50 hours per weekEligibility to participate on CE is generally linked to those who are 21 years or over and in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for 1 year or more or 18 years and over for certain disadvantaged groups. Your eligibility will have to be verified by the Department. Contact Durrow Community Services on (057) 8736870 for more details.

YARD HELPER WANTED: Groom / Yard Help Wanted – Part Time vacancy: Private, friendly and reputable yard requires help with day to day yard duties. We have a mixture of; broodmares, youngsters, and ridden horses. Weekend work is required, location, between Durrow and Abbeyleix. You must be over 18 and have experience with horses. Message or phone Lindsay 0833913222. We’ll be pleased to hear from you.

HOME CARER WANTED:

Experienced Female Carers required in home to assist elderly couple in the Durrow area. Would suit kind and honest person or social care student. previous experience / references required. Required to help clients with daily activities such as personal care (HSE home care package in place also), grooming, food prep and feeding, administering medication, encouraging and assisting in light exercising such as walking and stretching and some light house work. Hours 9.30am to 5.30pm (hours negotiable) Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If interested please contact Finian on 086 8218065. 

CLEANER AVAILABLE: Mondays to Fridays for the Durrow, Cullohill and Johnstown areas. Flexible hours. Call (085) 8166820.