Latest Laois News: Out and About in Durrow

All the latest news from Ballinakill, Cullohill, Durrow and 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: The AGM of Cullohill Community Centre was held last Thursday, September 29th. A successful year was reviewed including recent development as well as further plans for building works in the coming year. The officers were re-elected in block with the the committee being finalised at the moment. The following positions were elected: Chairman – Vincent O’Sullivan; Secretary – Noel Delaney; Treasurer – Stephen Gleeson.

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE: Progressive 25 Card Game continues every Sunday night in Cullohill Community Centre at 8.30pm and all are most welcome. Winners on Sunday 2nd October 2022 were: Joint First – Paddy Dunphy and Larry Dunne, Canice Sweeney and Willie Dunphy; Joint Second – Oliver Clooney and Ger Alley, Jim and Anne Mahony. The winners of the raffle were  Vera Brennan and Joe McGill.

DURROW LIBRARY NEWS: 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 and 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.

Laois Libraries are once again running our Parenting Support Programme in collaboration with Offaly Libraries throughout October and November. For a full list of all upcoming events – visit https://laois.ie/departments/libraries/programmes/parenting-support-programme online for more details.

Laois Libraries Online Book Club reads one book a month chosen from the BorrowBox collection. Join us on the last Wednesday of each month when questions are posed for discussion on our Book Club Facebook page. You can join the group on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/315513126404037 online. New members are always welcome.

Lego Creation Competition – Calling all master builders! Join us in the library on Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm for a different Lego building challenge each week, with prizes on the day! Booking advised. On Wednesday, 12th October – Who can build the tallest Lego tower!; On Wednesday, 19th October who can build the mightiest Lego castle!; On Wednesday, 26th October who can create the scariest, most terrifying Lego beast! Halloween fancy dress welcome.

Halloween Storytime and Craft – Join Amy in the library on Tuesday, 26th October at 11.30am for a special Halloween storytime reading of Squishy Squashy Pumpkin and themed craft. Fancy dress is most welcome!

Mindful Art Classes for Adults – the library is delighted to run Adult Mindful Art Classes in conjunction with the LOETB on Tuesday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm. This month’s sessions are fully booked, but contact the library directly to register your interest for future events.

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.

***

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.

CONGRATULATIONS: Well done to our Junior C Hurling Team who won their County Final on the 30th of September last.

CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: Fantastic News from Cashel where Orla Brophy and Éadaoin Whyte have been crowned All Ireland Under 17 Champions. This is truly an amazing achievement for these two young Cullohill girls, going to Munster as Leinster Champions to a game played in a 60×30 Alley, very different from the 40×20 they are used to. The girls got the better of their Tipperary opponents by a convincing score of 21-4 to 21-10. A proud day for the Brophy and Whyte families!

ALL-IRELAND WIN: All Ireland 60×30 Title for Laois! Congratulations to Andrew Dowling and Tómas Lennon on a fantastic victory in the Men’s O35 B All-Ireland Doubles Final recently in Crinkle. The two Monavea handballers have been in great form of late and they brought this form into the final tonight to defeat Galway’s Trevor Donovan and Brendan McDonagh 21-11 to 21-8. Well done to Andrew and Tómas on a remarkable 2022 where they won All-Ireland titles in both the 40×20 and 60×30 courts. 

Result: Men’s O35 B All-Ireland Doubles Final; Venue: Crinkle; Andrew Dowling & Tómas Lennon (Laois) defeated Trevor Donovan & Brendan McDonagh (Galway) 21-11 to 21-8.

LIONS AFC: U12 Skechers National Cup Result – Lions AFC 0 v 4 Bridge Rovers (Wexford). Hard luck to our U12 Lions Athletic team who went down 4-0 to a very good Bridge Rovers AFC team. The young Lions put in a huge effort but could not get past a strong Bridge defence. We wish Bridge Rovers all the best in the next round of the competition and thank them for a very sporting game last Sunday week.

U14 Girls League Div 1 Result – Lions AFC 1 v 1 Spa Utd. Lions AFC Scorer: Lucy Kelly.

U14 Skechers National Cup Result – Lions AFC 4 v 2 Kilmacow. Lions AFC Scorers: Sean Dempsey X 3, Matthew Bowe.

Club Shop: Unfortunately the wet, cold weather has returned! Make sure to stock up on the correct gear to manage the conditions. Visit https://www.jfsports.ie/product-category/club-shop/lions-afc online to shop now for all the latest Lions AFC Gear.

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 AND CULLOHILL DISTRICT 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.

DURROW AND CULLOHILL DISTRICT ANGLERS: The club would like to congratulate Tommy Coffey and the rest of the Irish team for beating the English team on their home soil. It’s a great achievement to fish for your country but to come home with a win is the icing on the cake. Well done Tommy!

***

JOB ALERT: The Castle Arms Hotel, The Square, Durrow are hiring Waiting/Bar Staff for weekdays and weekends. If interested, please send your CV to info@castlearmshotel.ie by email.

JOB ALERT: We are looking to hire a full time mill/mixer operator for our feed plant in Abbeyleix. Contact David on (086) 8353304 for more information.

SET DANCING CLASSES: Set dancing classes are held every Thursday night in The Wheel Inn, Ballyouskill from 9pm. All are most Welcome.

DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES: Durrow Community Services CLG currently have vacancies in Ballacolla and Durrow for Environmental Workers on the local Community Employment Scheme. Please contact Astrid Andersson on (057) 8736870 or andersson@durrowcs.com by email.

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.

DURROW FIRE AND RESCUE: Members of Durrow Fire Brigade are available to give fire safety talk to any interested adult groups or organisations, in the Durrow, Cullohill and Ballacolla areas. If interested please contact Station Officer David Donohue.