Your latest news from Ballinakill, Cullohill, Durrow & Spink

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! The draw is scheduled to take place on November 28th 2021. Best of luck to all ticket holders and thank you for your support.

TIDY TOWNS COMPETITION 2021: Durrow Tidy Towns gained an extra six points in this year’s annual competition which was judged online. We wish to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful team of helpers over the past two years, the committee, our Team Tidy Towns Volunteers, the Durrow CES Scheme, Durrow Development Forum, The Lions, The Harps, Third Laois Durrow Scouts, Laois Kayak & Canoe Club, Our Lady’s Meadow Primary School, Fishing Club, Dunnes Nurseries, Dunmore Country School, Lawlors, and all businesses and residents for their support. We’d also like to give a special thanks also to our youth volunteers who did amazing work especially at the Community Playground and also to Laois County Council for their continued support. We continue to work in the background and will look forward to an onsite judging next year as the huge amount of work done these past two years might    reflect better than online.

SPONSOR A BAG OF BULBS AS A CHRISTMAS GIFT: Be it for a family member, a friend or in remembrance of a loved one. Durrow Tidy Towns will be at the Christmas Market in Durrow on Sunday 28th November from 11.30am until 5.30pm and will be selling our Bag of Flower Bulbs Gift Voucher which is presented in a card with an envelope ready to be gifted or posted. Bags of Flower Bulbs cost €25 and this would make a great Christmas gift for family, friends or to remember a loved one. Thank you as always for keeping Durrow looking beautiful.

DURROW CHRISTMAS MARKET 2021: Making Spirits Bright Christmas Market on Sunday 28th November from 11.30am to 5.30pm on the main village green. Some of our wonderful Artisan Food and Craft traders will be with us and we will have live music too, including Christmas Carols with Third Laois Durrow Scouts and official switch on of Christmas lights at 5.00pm. This is an outdoor only event and all Covid-19 guidelines will be followed for everyone’s safety.

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.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 online 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. 

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS: Cullohill Community Centre held their AGM and are currently working towards activities getting back up and running. Pilates, Irish Dancing and ‘Hip Hop’ classes are just some of the classes currently running. Handball Nursery takes place at the moment on Sunday morning’s with a great response there. A squash league is also planned with this being led by committee members Chris Dalton and Kevin Maher. The committee would like to thank households in the area for their recent response to the request for membership. Once again there has been great support with all funding continually channelled to maintain and upgrade the facility. 
DURROW LIBRARY NEWS: Durrow Library is currently open for browsing, borrowing, printing and photocopying. We have received an excellent selection of new books which you are welcome to borrow. We are currently running a small treasure hunt event. To take part, families can collect a Durrow Discovery Map at the Library, answer the associated questions and when complete return the Map to Durrow Library to receive a small prize. Membership is free. Opening hours are Tuesdays 11am until 7.30pm and also Wednesdays 10am until 5.30pm (closed for lunch 1.30pm to 2pm). Phone: (057) 8736090 or you can contact durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie by email.

OUR LADY’S MEADOW PRIMARY SCHOOL: Our Lady’s Meadow Primary School commenced accepting applications for admission to Junior Infants for the School Year 2022-2023 on Monday 15th November last. The schools admission policy, Annual admission notice and application forms are available on school website www.ourladysmeadow.org or from the school by phone on (057) 8736329 or by email to       ourladysmeadowschool@gmail.com. Application for the school ASD class can also be made since Monday November 15th last.

CONGRATULATIONS: Congratulations to Avril Deegan who was the Island of Ireland regional winner of the Global Undergraduate Awards and came second overall in the Psychology category of the Global   Undergraduate Awards for her thesis “A Way of Life – An investigation into the relationship between    social support, stress and psychological well-being in Irish farmers”. Avril continues her studies at DCU where she is currently undertaking a PhD in Psychology.

Congratulations: Congratulations to Mrs Katie Stapleton, Kyle, Durrow on reaching her One Hundredth Birthday on Thursday 17th November last. The family celebrated the day with Mass at home followed by a family gathering abiding with HSE Guidelines. Everyone in her area and beyond wish Katie a very happy birthday and many more years of good health.

SINGING LESSONS: Whether you want to learn how to sing or develop your existing skills – Amy offers one-to-one tuition or group tuition for families for everyone aged 9 or over. Learn vocal techniques, breathing exercises, control, performance and delivery. For more information please contact Amy (083) 8253665 by phone or to amyphelan65@gmail.com by email. You can also reach Amy’s Social Media page by visiting facebook.com/amyphelansinger online.

LAOIS ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY: For more information on Alzheimer’s contact Ann Munnelly on (057) 8663398 or (086) 8372168  Homecare Co-ordinator, Portlaoise or to laois.branch@alzheimer.ie by email.

LEAF MOULD WORKSHOP – DURROW: We are looking forward to hosting Donal from Wastedown in this workshop highlighting Composting and Leaf moulding. This event is funded by the Department of  Agriculture. “Making leaf mould is a simple process, just requiring space and a little bit of management. After 6 months to 1 year, you will have a valuable mulch. After 2 years, you will have a fully composted product that can be used as a growing medium for plants, as part of a seed or potting mix, or for    propagating seeds in a tree nursery”The workshop will be held on Saturday 27th November at 10am in the Harps overflow car park, this is the car park on the Ballacolla Road, on the left directly after the Harps GAA pitch as you leave Durrow or on the right, directly before coming into Durrow from Ballacolla. There is a signpost to assist. This is a free workshop and all are welcome to attend. Register at slinacoille.ie/events/leaf-mould-workshop-durrow online ahead of the event.

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.

BOOK BOX: A Book Box is now operational in the Scout Garden. Please feel free to take a book or leave a book. Please ensure that the lid is replaced properly after each use. Enjoy!

DURROW POST OFFICE: Santa Letters and Colouring Competition Sheets are now available in the Post Office. Also, check out our special mail box for all your completed Santa Letters with a guaranteed speedy delivery in time for Christmas!

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

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be out on the weekend of December 4th 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.

THE HARPS GAA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2021: The Annual General Meeting of The Harps GAA was held on Sunday last (Nov. 21st) in Cullohill Community Centre. The following committee was elected: Joe Deegan, Brian Farrell, Anne Comerford, Claire Delahunty, John Scanlon, Shane Brophy, Tommy Walsh, Donal Deegan, Conor Murphy, Seamus Duggan, John Dollard, Pauric Dunne, Cathal Phelan, Noel Delaney, Tommy Moore, Peter Walsh, Martin Deegan, Richie Comerford, Dan Deegan, Albert Townsend, Enda Whelan, Noel Kirby, Sean Conroy, Ross Young, Justin Brophy, Pat Barnaville, Daniel Comerford, Ciaran Comerford, Podge Delaney, Niamh Clancy, Eoin O’Sullivan, Kieran Shortall, Philip Russel and Evan Deegan.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.

DURROW-CULLOHILL DISTRICT ANGLERS CLUB: Congratulations and well done to Shane Donohue, Seamus Coffey, David Walsh and Tommy Coffey who represented The Durrow and Cullohill District Anglers this weekend and who came third in the IFPAC 2021 Interclub Competition!

CHURCH NEWS: Memorial Mass: A big thank you to everyone who helped to make the Memorial Mass on November 12th last so worthwhile especially to Fr. Martin, Sr. Anita, Darina, the Choir, Fr. Tom McGree and Fr. O Doherty. The mass was a very special time for many families who lost a relative since March 2020.
Church: With Covid19 numbers very high once more, everyone who goes to Church Masses are asked to observe Social Distancing guidelines, Use hand sanitizers; Wear a face covering and Stay Safe. It is in all of our interests that we continue to observe these guidelines and recommendations.

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, Christenings 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.

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

SYMPATHY: Sincere Condolences are extended to the Prendergast and Kenna Families on the recent death of Carmel Prendergast, Kilsby, UK (formerly Swan Rd, Durrow).SYMPATHY is extended to the family and friends of Jill Cooney, Erkindale, Durrow on their recent  bereavement.

JOB VACANCIES: We currently have two vacancies on Durrow Community Employment Scheme: Position: 2 x Environmental Workers; Location: Durrow and Ballacolla; No Experienced Required; Work 19.5 hours per week. Eligibility 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.