Latest Laois News: Out and About in Durrow
Your news from Ballinakill, Cullohill, Durrow & Spink
CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE – PROGRESSIVE 25 CARD GAME – 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 20th November 2022 were: First – Vera Brennan and Willie Gorman; Second – Jim and Anne Mahony; Joint Third – Pa Maher and John Dollard, Chris Fitzpatrick and Kevin Woulfe, Willie Dunphy and Canice Sweeney, Martin Mahony and Seamus Brennan, Paddy Lalor and Alice Fitzpatrick. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Jimmy Ryan, Dick Brennan.
CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE: Currently committee members are visiting local households looking for support / donation following their recent AGM. The Centre continues to be an excellent facility in The Village with all contributions greatly appreciated.
OUR LADY’S MEADOW NATIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOL: Our Lady’s Meadow National Primary School, Durrow have commenced accepting applications for admission to Junior Infants for the school year 2023-2024 since Thursday 17th November 2022. Closing date: 5th January 2023. The school’s Admission Policy, Annual Admission Notice and Application Forms are available on the school website www.ourladysmeadow.org or from the school by phone on (057) 8736329 or ourladysmeadowschool@gmail.com by email.
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.
ZUMBA CLASSES: Zumba classes are held in The Parochial Hall in Rathdowney each Wednesday night from 8pm to 9pm. The weekly Fee is just €7. Keep fit the fun way while dancing to great music. No dancing experience necessary at all. Good fun guaranteed!
SET DANCING CLASSES: Set dancing classes are held every Thursday night in The Wheel Inn, Ballyouskill from 9pm. All are most Welcome.
CVESS: The Minister for Rural and Community Development announced the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS) on Monday last. This scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible charities and community voluntary sector organisations for their energy costs for 2022. The scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and will be administered by Pobal. The online application portal for this scheme will open on the Pobal website on Monday 21st November 2022 and will remain open until 3pm on Friday 2nd December 2022. For more information on eligibility and how to apply go to www.pobal.ie online.
COMMERCIAL UNIT TO LET IN DURROW: Call (087)1775651 for further details.
DURROW POST OFFICE: The Santa Box has arrived! Make sure to put a stamp on your letter and put your letter in the box to go to The North Pole…!
RENTAL ACCOMODATION AVAILABLE: Two bedroom furnished duplex to rent 1.5km from Durrow. Double ensuite bedrooms, living room area and kitchenette. The property is located on private land with the “Leafy Loop” Walkways adjacent to the property. Would suit non smoking single professional adult. Feel free to WhatsApp any questions to (086) 8373090.
BOOK FOR SALE: A Book titled ‘The Poorest of the Poor’ written by a local author Seosamh O’Cuinneagain is now available to purchase. All proceeds are in aid of the Street Children of Kolkata formerly Calcutta. Price €20. Contact Tom (087) 2936531 or Kathleen (086) 8263368.
MOUNTRATH CHRISTMAS MARKET: The annual Mountrath Christmas Market will be held this year on the 4th of December from 2pm to 6pm in BloomHQ (Brigidine Convent). Expect Carol Singing, a visit from Santa, kid’s activities and a huge market featuring loads of local businesses and producers.
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.
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 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.
LADIES SOCCER RESULT: Evergreen 0 V 2 Lions; Scorers – Ciara Sheppard and Aoife Jordan. Well done to the Lions Women’s team on a great win last Sunday (November 20th) in Evergreen Park.
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
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: 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 family and friends of John (Jack) Dunphy, Oldtown, Cullohill on their recent bereavement.
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.
NOVEMBER EVENTS IN THE LIBRARY: 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. Booking advised.
Irish Circle – the Irish Circle group will meet up in the library on Tuesday November 29th at 6.30pm. Call or email the library for more details.
Santa Letter Workshop – Come along to the library for a Christmas workshop to write your letter to Santa on Wednesday, the 30th of November from 2pm to 4pm. You will also get a chance to post your letter in the special library post box for delivery to the North Pole! Booking advised.
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.
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.