Latest Laois News: Out and About in Durrow

Your latest news from Ballinakill, Cullohill, Durrow & Spink

DURROW PARISH LOTTO RESULTS: The Durrow Parish Lotto held its second draw on Monday night February 14th in the Scouts Den. There was no winner of the €2,200 jackpot and the winning numbers were 07, 10, 16 and 20. The prize draw winners were: €50 – Stephen McAllister; €30 – Kay Clancy; and €20 Helen Mooney. Well done to all the winners!

CLIMB FOR CHARLIE – LAOIS LOCATIONS: “Climb for Charlie” events will take place on Saturday 26th of February from 10am at the gates of Durrow Castle. Also on Saturday 26th of March from 10am at The Derries, Ballybrittas. On Saturday 2nd of April from 10am at Fossey Mountain Ranch, Timahoe. Cupan Tae, Ceol agus Craic after each event €20 minimum donation (includes all walks). All monies raised divided equally between Motor Neurone and Teach Tom. Community event all levels of fitness with a strong sense of humour welcome. Enquiries to Mags on (087) 6902989.

COUNSELLING SERVICE AVAILABLE: Counselling & Psychotherapy. Eva-Maria Dunne, Dip. Counselling & Addiction, Hons BSc. Counselling & Psychotherapy. MIACP, Teacher Training, Child First Safe Guarding. Serving Durrow & Abbeyleix, Laois, Carlow & Kilkenny. Call (089) 4400758 or email dunnetherapy@gmail.com – Humanistic & Integrative Counselling Service available for Adults, Children & Adolescents. One to One, Couple and Group therapy available. Person Centred, using mediums of Creative Therapy, Art Therapy, Brief therapy and Solution Based Therapy. Covering a vast array of difficulties, Addiction, Anxiety, Anger Management, Bereavement & Loss,Bullying, Couples Therapy, Depression, Family Therapy, Filial Therapy, Eating Disorders, Gender Identity, General Counselling, Health Related Issues, Personal Development, Relationships, Self-Esteem, Self-Harm, Suicidal Ideation, Stress, Sexual Disfunction, Women’s Issues, Work Related issues. Child Play Therapy. Brief Therapy. Court Orders are welcome. On-Line Sessions are also available via Zoom and Teams.

THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS: Waiting List: The group has huge numbers in all sections this year so unfortunately can’t take any new members at the moment. A waiting list is currently in operation for September and to add your child just send their name and their age to gldurrow@gmail.com by email. 

DURROW TIDY TOWNS: Want to save money on your energy and heating bills? We have been working hard on sustainability in Durrow but we need more help from our businesses and our residents. Anyone who is interested in our Sustainable Energy Community, please contact Kevin on (087) 1947743.
Bulb Planting: 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 on the Abbeyleix road. We are reaching out to the community to sponsor a bag of bulbs and if you’d like to do so online there’s a link on the Website. If you’d like to sponsor any amount towards the bulbs you can also do so by dropping an envelope marked Durrow Tidy Towns to Lawlors Gala in the square or to our treasurer Rita Casey. Thank you as always for keeping Durrow beautiful. Visit https://www.durrowscarecrowfestival.com/community-shop/ online.
CHURCH NEWS: 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.

Readers: The following is the rota for Mass Readers during February and March: Saturdays – February 26th – Oliver Lawlor; March 5th – Kay Sheppard; March 12th – Noreen Joyce; March 19th – Ann Marie Lalor; March 26th – Catherine Walsh. Sundays – February 27th – Fergal Hassett; March 6th – Mary Lawlor; March 13th – Stephanie Phelan; March 20th – Martin Lawlor; March 27th – Kevin Kelly. Mass Times in Durrow: Sundays – 12 noon; Saturday Nights – 7.30pm. All are most welcome.

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

CULLOHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL: Scoil Tighearnach Naofa, Cullohill, is now accepting enrolments for Junior Infants, September 2022. For further information email scoiltnaofa@gmail.com or phone the office on (057) 8737281.

DURROW LIBRARY: Your Recommend Reads – To celebrate ‘Ireland Reads’ on Thursday 25th February, we will be taking  recommendations of all types of books from young and old. To take part, think of three books that you really enjoyed then contact Durrow Library to arrange to have your suggestions added to our Recommend Reads List which will be displayed in the Library. Lego Free Play – Wednesday the 23rd from 2pm to 4 pm will see the return of Lego Free Play for children. Children are invited to call to the Library with their parent or guardian to play with our big selection of lego. Places are limited and parents/guardians are advised to remain in the building while their child attends the lego free play session. To express your interest, contact the library.Opening Hours – Durrow Library Opening hours are Tuesdays from 11am to 7.30pm and Wednesdays from 10am -5.30pm (closed for lunch from 1.30pm to 2pm). Phone: (057) 8736090 Email: durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie for further information.

LSPCA: Laois SPCA, in conjunction with Kyle Vet Clinic Durrow (057) 8734111, are running a subsidised cat neutering scheme. We urge people to get their cats done to avoid unwanted litters later in the Spring. We recommend that your cat be neutered at approximately four months of age – any later, you run the risk of them  being already pregnant. €20 per cat, male or female. This offer runs until February 28th 2022, so don’t delay!
MIDTERM FOREST CAMP: Enjoy a nature connection with games, free play, ropes, storytelling, crafts, tool use and fire skills. For children aged 5+. Choose from two or three days costing €50 (for two days) or €70 (for three days). This camp will be held from Wednesday February 23rd until Friday February 25th running from 10.30am to 2pm each day. Bookings are required. Contact rootsandshoots.fs@gmail.com by email or phone Roisin on (085) 2726047. The meeting point is at R32 H5N3.

DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES: We currently have four vacancies on our Community Employment Scheme: Position: 4 x Environmental Workers. Location: Two positions in Durrow and two positions in 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 of Social Protection. Please contact Astrid Andersson on (057) 8736870 or andersson@durrowcs.com by email.

PILATES CLASSES IN BALLYOUSKILL COMMUNITY CENTRE: Block of mixed level pilates classes continue on Thursdays at 8:15pm in Ballyouskill Community Hall for four weeks. €10 per class.

PEDAL VINTAGE: Durrow Community Bike Hire Scheme , building a community of leisure cyclists! Avail of our Share a Bike Scheme! Includes supply of bicycle, helmet and hi-vis jacket. Commencing Apriil 1st and ends on October 1st. Benefits include: Priority Booking of Bicycle, Helmet and a Hi-Vis Jacket for a six-month period; Seven Day Availability – Must be booked 24 hours in advance; Free Use of our Bicycles, Helmets & Hi-Vis Jackets for “Rothar Rogues” Gatherings; Free Use of our Bicycles, Helmets & Hi-Vis Jackets for “Cycle Sisters” Gatherings; No Expensiue Bicycle Purchase – No Maintenance Costs – No   Storage Problems! Share-A-Bike Scheme based on normal 2/3-hour usage per hire. Does not include hire for “Special Promotion Events” etc… Membership of Share-a-Bike Scheme is non-transferrable. For      immediate booking, please contact (086) 8694691 or at durrow.doings@gmail.com by email. This offer ends on March 1st 2022. Facebook: PedalVintage Instagram: PedalVintageDurrow

LOVING HOME NEEDED: We are looking for someone to adopt one of our roosters due to flock over population. We have six roosters to three hens. They’re beautiful colours from ages 6 months, 1 year and older. Please phone (083) 4419986 for more information.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: We are currently looking for a Childcare Professional to cover Maternity Leave with the possibility of a full-time position. The ideal candidate must be confident in working as part of a team, in a child led, child centred, play based environment. A minimum of Level 7 in Early Childhood Care and Education (QQI recognized) and at least 1 years’ experience in childcare required. Competent in implementing the Aistear and Siolta Frameworks. Good communication skills and confident in completing observations and reports required. Please email CV and a cover letter to us: Happy Days Creche Durrow Ltd, The Square, Durrow, Co. Laois. Email: happydayscreche1@gmail.com or Phone: (057) 8736962.

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.
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 six days – Monday to Saturday) or (057) 8736522. Email: info@stcanicescu.ie (also available six days – Monday to Saturday).

DURROW COMMUNITY ALERT: With the long winter nights 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.

ODIN KETTLEBELL CLUB: Kids Classes 6pm Tuesdays and Fridays; Adults Classes 7pm Tuesdays and Fridays. 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 phone (089) 4400758.

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!

AVAILABLE: Lady available to care for the elderly overnight stays, degree in social care and years of  experience, Garda Vetted. Please contact (086) 7235241.

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.

SPEECH, DRAMA AND ELOCUTION CLASSES: Speech, Drama and Elocution Classes begin in January and are suitable for all ages from 6 to 15 years. The opportunity to take the Irish Board of Speech and Drama exams is available for all age groups, in all the grades and public speaking. If interested contact Mairead at Star Blossom Communications, Speech & Drama School on (087) 6473414. A few of the many benefits of Speech & Drama: Great fun! – Develops the voice and personal awareness; – Improves clarity and fluency of speech; – increases confidence and improves communication skills.
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 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.

DURROW-CULLOHILL ANGLERS: Membership Cards for the River Nore and its Tributaries and also Grantstown Lake are available from Durrow-Cullohill Parish Anglers through their agents: Lawlor’s Gala, Daybreak Durrow, Lawlor’s Flower Shop, Fran’s Fishing Shop Mountrath and the Club Secretary David Walsh.

THE HARPS GAA CLUB NEWS: Split the Bucket: A standing order of €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. If you would like to set up a monthly standing order please contact Joe Deegan on (087) 9678729 or Shane Brophy on (087) 2034035. Thanks to everyone, who supports our weekly Split the Bucket draw.Monster Annual Draw: The All County Clubs Members Draw 2022 has been launched and the Harps Club are selling these tickets to their members and supporters. With a prize fund of over €125,000 this is a draw not to be missed. Tickets are €130 each and can be paid fully before first draw or paid before each of the four draws at €32.50. The four draws are held on 1st April, 6th May, 3rd June and 1st July. Please support your club as this is a major fund raiser for the ongoing cost throughout the season ahead.

THE HARPS GAA JUVENILE CLUB: The Harps Nursery Programme continues every Sunday from 12 to 1pm for approx. five more weeks in the Lions Astroturf pitch in Durrow. The Nursery Programme is open to all boys from the parish in junior infants and senior infants’ classes. The purpose of the Nursery Programme is to introduce the boys within this age category to the basic skills of Gaelic Games with an emphasis on fun and it will be structured to improve the coordination, balance, running, jumping, catching skills etc. of the participants. There is a small fee of €2 per child per week. If the boys have hurls and helmets they can bring them along. The club would like to welcome and encourage as many parents as possible to help out with the organisation and running of the Nursery Programme. The success of the programme is dependent on sufficient numbers of parents being available to help out each Sunday. If you have queries in relation to any aspect of the Nursery Programme please contact Enda Carroll at 087 6348615, Podge Phelan at 087 9755876 or any committee member.

LIONS AFC LADIES SOCCER: Women’s social soccer on every Monday from 7pm until 8pm at the Lions AFC all weather pitch. All abilities welcome. Contact Sinead at (087) 9510587 for further details.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be out on the weekend of March 5th and 6th 2022. 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.