Latest Laois News: Out and About in Durrow
All your news from Ballinakill, Cullohill, Durrow and Spink
FREE WELLBEING PROGRAMME: A free wellbeing programme for the Over 55s to learn about minding your wellbeing, reflect on life and build your resilience. This four week course will take place in Cullohill Community Centre from 7.30pm until 9pm each of the following Thursday evenings: November 10th, November 17th, November 24th and December 1st 2022. For more information please call or send a message to Teresa on (083) 3364562.
DURROW TIDY TOWNS NEWS: Friday, October 28th was a great day for Durrow Tidy Towns. At the National SuperValu Tidy Towns Awards in the RDS we were thrilled to achieve third place in Co. Laois, our highest placing in many years. Even more heartening, we increased our overall points total by double digits which was a great reward for the hours of hard work by all our volunteers. But there’s more! We also received a Highly Commended award in the category Young Persons in Tidy Towns. This is a fantastic achievement for our teenagers and young people who gave their time to help keep Durrow stunning over the last few years. And we were in good local company, with an Endeavour award for Portarlington, second place in Laois to Ballacolla, a silver medal for Portlaoise and a gold medal and first place in Laois for our neighbors, Abbeyleix, who narrowly lost out on the overall national award for Tidiest Small Town. Congratulations to all on these wonderful achievements.
Durrow Tidy Towns is blessed to have excellent supporters. A word of thanks must go to all the local businesses, clubs and companies who have supported DTT again and again. Your help makes all the difference. Thanks to Laois County Council and the members of Laois Federation of Tidy Towns for advice throughout the year and a big thanks to all in Durrow Community Services who always pitch in when needed. Huge thanks also to our committee who have worked so hard behind the scenes, (and often loudly in front of scenes) and who put so much of their energy and time into making DTT a thriving community endeavour. But most of all we want to thank our volunteers who have braved sunburn and chilblains, suffered nettles and wasps, wrestled with litter pickers and watering cans and moaned every week “Oh God, it’s not ‘Work on Wednesday’ again”, but still turned up and put in the hours. We couldn’t do it without you. These awards are thanks to you. Thank you.
DURROW TIDY TOWNS NEWS: Last Saturday the 5th of November DTT planted the Abbeyleix road with daffodils. We had 600 meters each side to plant so all help was gratefully appreciated. We hired a trencher so we just needed to sow and cover which helped lighten the load which got underway at 9.30am. Many thanks to everyone for all the help and it was appreciated as always.
SONAS MARKETS AND EVENTS – RATHDOWNEY: We are delighted to announce that our first Monthly Market will take place in the amazing venue of the Central Hub, Rathdowney on Sunday 13th November from 10.30am until 5pm. This will be a great chance for any local crafters, artists, foodies, fashion and others to get a chance to get going in a dry indoor venue, and going forward the market will be a nice social event for young and old, with kids amusements and other outdoor stalls situated outside the hub. Keep updated on our Facebook and Instagram posts over the next couple of weeks. For any queries, feel free to contact Michael ON (083) 3817980.
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 – NEW EARLIER START TIME OF 8PM: Progressive 25 Card Game continues every Sunday night in Cullohill Community Centre at 8pm and all are most welcome. Winners on Sunday 30th October 2022 were: First – Paddy Dunphy and Larry Dunne; Second – Sean O Shea and Gerry Kelly; Joint Third – Paddy Lalor and Alice Fitzpatrick, James and Veronica Muldowney, Eddie Delaney and Joe McGill, Martin Mahony and Chris Fitzpatrick. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Paddy Lalor and Paddy Walsh.
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.
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.
CHRISTMAS MARKET IN ABBEYLEIX: Abbeyleix House and Farm invite you to visit their Christmas Market and Grotto on Saturday the 3rd December 2022 from 11am to 4pm.
Santa will also be taking a break from his busy schedule, and he will be in his grotto at Abbeyleix House and Farm on the day! (PreBooking Essential). We invite all visitors to use our Courtesy Bus which will be departing Abbeyleix town from three locations (To be announced). There is limited parking on site and is strictly reserved for eligible Disability and Age-Friendly visitors. Parking Pass available to pre-reserve. All proceeds from the market and Santa’s Grotto will be donated to St.Lazerians SVP Conference and My Lovely Horse Rescue. To book your visit to Santa, admission to the market or for more information please visit
LIONS AFC NEWS: A big shout out to Conor and Joey Dempsey who represented Waterford Centre of Excellence in the AUL Complex on Wednesday. Great to see our player’s mixing it with the best U14s in the country. Keep up the good work lads.
FAI U13 EMERGING TALENT PROGRAMME: Well done to Fionn O Sullivan, Danny Campion and Alex Sheppard who were taking part in the FAI U13 Emerging Talent Programme in Cahir over the mid-term break. This programme brings together the best players in the South East to train at an elite level. Fantastic achievement for the boys and a superb endorsement for the Lions underage structure to have three players at this level. Well done lads and keep up the good work!
RESULT: Kilkenny U14 League 1A. Lions 3 V 2 Evergreen Boys. Scorers for the Lions were – Sean Dempsey X2 and Conor Dempsey. Well done lads on closing out a close game.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NUMBER FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – LAST UPDATED JULY 2021: Our new contact phone number for confidential assistance is (087) 6974792.
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. 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.
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.
RIDENT 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.
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 JUVENILE GAA CLUB – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2022: The Harps Juvenile AGM for 2022 will take place on Sunday, November 13th at 5pm in Cullohill Community Centre. All are welcome to attend, this is your opportunity to have your say in and contribute to the running of our busy and successful Juvenile club catering for all boys from Under 6 to Under 17. If anyone wishes to raise a topic to be added to the agenda should email larry.mahony@gmail.com or podgephelan@hotmail.com no later than Friday November 11th.
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB NEWS: Success last week for club players in the Leinster Wall Ball Finals! In the Under 16 Final Orla Brophy continued her winning streak by overcoming Kilkenny”s Katie Brennan to be crowned Leinster Champion while in the Junior B final Aoife Brophy was also crowned Leinster Champion by overcoming Katie Barrett of Carlow. We had two other Laois Winners with Andrew Dowling winning Junior and Kevin Brennan winning Junior B. In total Laois came away with four wins out of five which is an excellent result for our county. All four Laois winners now progress to the All Ireland Semi finals in a couple of weeks. Best of luck to all!
SET DANCING CLASSES: Set dancing classes are held every Thursday night in The Wheel Inn, Ballyouskill from 9pm. All are most Welcome.
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.