Latest Laois News: Out and About in Durrow

Your latest news from Ballinakill, Cullohill, Durrow & Spink

VOCEM DARU LADIES CHOIR: Vocem Darύ Ladies Choir is looking for new members! Meet Tuesday nights at 7.30pm. Vocem Darύ is back!  We are always on the lookout for new members and we would like to invite ladies of all ages to come and join us for at our open rehearsal evening, where we will sing together. We are hosting the open rehearsal on Tuesday the 11th of October in the Castle Arms Hotel, Durrow, Co Laois at 7.30pm. Group singing has been scientifically proven to lower stress, relieve anxiety and elevate endorphins. The release of these endorphins can leave you feeling completely rejuvenated and after our rehearsal, we are living proof of that! This open rehearsal is an opportunity for you to come and sing with us. Refreshments will be provided on the night.

Vocem Darύ choir was founded in Durrow in 2017 and has established itself as a vibrant part of the local community for women of all ages.  From the beginning, the choir actively participated in choral events and festivals, both local and national and have discovered that we thrive on performing in front of an audience, singing everything from rock to light classical. We focus on creating beautiful music, making friends and having fun. We just love to sing! 

A special open rehearsal will take place on Tuesday October 11th at 7.30pm – so save the date! Location: Castle Arms hotel, Durrow, Co. Laois. Vocem Darύ Ladie’s Choir celebrates group singing during National Singing Week 10th to 16th October 2022. New members welcome. For further information please call Deirdre Dowling 086 8551152.

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE: Progressive 25 Card Game continues every Sunday night in Cullohill Community Centre at 8.30pm. Winners on Sunday 3rd September 2022 were: First – James and Veronica Muldowney; Joint Second – Terry Dunne and John Mackey, Alice Fitzpatrick and Joe McGill, Chris Fitzpatrick and John Dollard, Canice Sweeney and Willie Dunphy, Dick Brennan and Michael Kells. The winners of the raffle were Paddy Dunphy and John Mackey. 

DURROW LIBRARY: All our Laois Library branches are open to the public for browsing, PC usage, printing, photocopying and studying, in addition to all the free events taking place throughout the month – see all details below. You can browse the Laois Libraries online catalogue here: https://laois.spydus.ie – if needed, borrowers can reset their library PIN in order to access the catalogue – contact your local library or email library@laoiscoco.ie for assistance with this.

First Five Little Library – do you know a child starting primary school this month? To help children navigate starting school, libraries have put together a bag of books just for them that can be collected at any library.

Lego Set Creation – Join us in the library on a four-week mission to create your own Lego set with a backdrop! Choose your characters and location, construct your cardboard set and build your Lego creations! Taking place every Wednesday starting on the 14th of September from 3:30pm until 4:45pm. Week two will be held on the 21st of September and Week three will be held on the 28th of September. Booking advised.

Gruffalo Storytime and Craft – Pop into the library to listen to the Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and make some Gruffalo themed crafts on Tuesday the 20th of September at 3pm. Booking advised.

Opening Hours – Durrow Library Opening hours are Tuesdays from 11am to 7.30pm and Wednesdays from 10am to 5.30pm (closed for lunch from 1.30pm to 2pm). Phone: (057) 8736090 Email: durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie for further information.

CHURCH NEWS: Parish Office: The Parish Office at the Presentation Centre beside the Church is open from 10am to 2pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 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. You can also call the Parish Office on (085) 2625033.

Mass Times in Durrow: Sundays – 12 noon; Saturday Nights – 7.30pm. 

Mass Times in Cullohill:  Saturday Nights – 7pm. All are most welcome.

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

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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.

THE HARPS GAA – THANK YOU! The Harps Juvenile Committee would like to acknowledge the sponsorship from Jim Kells of Midland Environmental Services and Billy Holland of IFAC Portlaoise which allowed us to present all our hard working Harps Juvenile Coaches with new jackets.

LIONS AFC: We are very excited to be launching our new Joma Lions club gear for the new season which is now available online. Players are not obliged to have the new gear as we understand that many of our players are still using their O’Neills gear and the phasing in of the new gear will be over a year or two. All items will be crested and the addition of initials optional. The shop is open 365 days a year and is available at https://www.jfsports.ie/product-category/club-shop/lions-afc online. Please note that the Joma shorts and socks are for training only and are not suitable for matches. We will have the crested O’Neills shorts and blue socks on sale very shortly in our Club Coffee Shop.

Pat Maher Shield Result: Lions AFC 1 V 2 Ormonde Villa. Rian Edwards 42′.

TRIDENT FITNESS CLUB – KETTLEBELL SPORTS AND FITNESS CLASSES: Learn to use kettlebells safely and effectively from one of Ireland’s top ranked and most experienced professional kettlebell sports and fitness instructors with over 10 years of experience in kettlebell sport and fitness. Included in the classes are bodyweight exercises as well as posture correction and strengthening techniques. Together with proper kettlebell instruction you can learn to prevent and remedy a wide range of joint and mobility issues and injuries. Class schedule: Tuesday 6.30pm; Thursday 6.30pm; Saturday 11am. Venue: Durrow Community Hall CYMS. Call David or email for further information. Also available for personal training. Tel: (087) 3833258 or email: tridentfitnessclub@yahoo.ie or borukettlebellclub@yahoo.com for more information.

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 Club Secretary David Walsh.

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CHILDREN OF THE OLD OAK TREE FOREST SCHOOL: Get in touch today on (087) 9265423 to book your six week forest school sessions for your little explorer. Enjoy outdoor exploration and learning; den building; foraging; free play; crafts; ropes and tool use; storytelling and songs; fire building. Ages 5+. This session runs every Monday from 3pm to 5pm commencing on September 19th and concluding on October 24th. €110 per child with a 10% discount for siblings. Held at Durrow, Co. Laois.

TRACTOR AND TRUCK RUN – OCTOBER 2nd 2022: A Tractor and Truck run will be held on Sunday 2nd October in aid of Maddie Gee and the Jack and Jill Foundation. Starting from Portlaoise Rugby Club R32 YY89. Registration from 11am. Run starts at 1pm sharp. Entry Fee €20. Kids Tractor run at 12.30pm. Entry Fee €2. Please support.

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Welder/General Operative Required – McEvoy Engineering Ltd is expanding its workforce and currently has a vacancy for a welder/general operative. We specialise in reinforcing products, mainly rebar. If you would like to expand your knowledge and join a team of skilled people, we would love to hear from you. You can contact Hilda on 087 9841930 or send your CV to mcevoyengineering@gmail.com by email. Job Type: Full Time; Salary: Competitive; Experience: Experience in MIG welding is preferable but not essential as training will be provided; Location: Oldtown, Cullahill, Co. Laois.

DURROW COMMUNITY SATURDAY MARKET: Durrow Community Market continues on Saturdays from 9am to 12 noon on the Kilkenny Road beside the Church.

LIVE LOCAL WEATHER: Visit www.laoisweather.com for live local weather data from Durrow.

WHIST DRIVE: The Killermogh Whist Drive is held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow at 8 pm. It will be held on the last Thursday of every month. Please come and enjoy a lovely friendly night.

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.