Latest Laois News: Out and About in Durrow

Latest news from Ballinakill, Cullohill, Durrow & Spink

DURROW ART CLUB: Expressions of interest are invited to establish the resumption of the Durrow Art Club – Art classes for adults are to be renewed in the near future in Durrow. Venue to be confirmed and all levels are welcomed. Enquiries to Marie on (086) 3136028.

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 9th October 2022 were: First – Noreen and Padraig Ryan; Joint Second – Terry Dunne and Paddy Lalor, Sean and Anna Burke, Jim Walsh and John Mooney, James and Veronica Muldowney. Winners on Sunday 16th October 2022 were: First – Willie Dunphy and Liam Dunphy; Second – Ollie Clooney and Ger Alley; Third – Sean O’Shea and Gerry Kelly. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Sean Burke and Jim Walsh. 

DUNMORE COMMUNITY ALERT: We are holding a Hallowe’en Party in Bob’s Bar on Saturday, October 29th at 8pm. Join us on the night for Music, Craic and Spot Prizes. Admission €10. All are most welcome and your support would be gratefully appreciated.

DURROW TIDY TOWNS – SPONSOR A BAG OF BULBS FOR SPRING 2023: 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.

CHURCH NEWS: Memorial Mass – This year’s Memorial Mass will take place on 11th November 2022 at 7.30pm in the Holy Trinity Church,Durrow. If you have a loved one who passed away during the year 2022, and would like them to be included please contact the Parish office on 0852625033 during Wednesdays to Fridays from 10am to 2pm or to durrow@ossory.ie by email. It is important that everyone who passed away be remembered by a family/friend who will light the memorial candle on the altar. Please contact family members away from  Durrow/Cullohill to keep that date in their Diary. If your family member died away from Durrow/Cullohill and is from the area they also can be included.

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.

SYMPATHY is extended to the O’Sullivan Family, Cork Rd, Durrow on the recent death of Jeremiah (Jerry) O’Sullivan.

FUNERAL NOTICE: The death has occurred of Alice Dunton, Sister of Helen Muldowney (CullOhill). Funeral mass for Alice will take place on Saturday the 29th October in St. Tighernachs Church Cullohill (time to be confirmed) followed by burial in the adjoining cemetary. RIP.

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.

HARD LUCK – Hard luck to our U15 hurlers last Saturday afternoon, October 15th who lost out narrowly in the County Final – a great effort by players and mentors all year long. Congratulations to Castletown.

THE LIONS AFC CLUB: Astro Pitch Hire, suitable for 7-a-side soccer social groups, casual bookings and team activities. For all enquiries or to make a booking please contact lionsafc@gmail.com or call (085) 7088511. 

THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS GROUP: Shine A Light Night 2022 – Give one night to change a lifetime. In partnership with Scouting Ireland the Third Laois Durrow Scouts will be sleeping out on Saturday 5th November to raise money for Focus Ireland. We need your support through scout sponsorship or donations. Please support us on the night!

DURROW IFA BRANCH AGM 2022: The Durrow IFA Branch AGM will be held on Thursday 10th November at 8pm in the Castle Arms Hotel. Guest speaker will be Niall Jackson from the Laois DVO to talk about TB. All are most welcome to attend.

CULLOHILL-DURROW FLOWER AND GARDEN CLUB: The Cullohill and Durrow Flower and Garden Club are hosting their Christmas Gala Flower Demonstration in the Castle Arms Hotel on Monday 12th December at 8pm. “CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND” by floral artist Harumi Langford. Tickets: €15 are available from club members. All are most welcome.

DURROW COMMUNITY SERVICES CLG: Durrow Community Services currently have vacancies for an Office Administrator (Durrow) and Environmental Workers (Durrow). No experience required. Work 19.5 hours per week. Eligibility to participate in CE is generally linked to those who are 21 years or over and in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for one 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.

VOCEM DARU LADIES CHOIR: 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! Vocem Darύ Ladies Choir is looking for new members! Meet Tuesday nights at 7.30pm 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!

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, 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.

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.

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.ieby 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.