Latest Laois News: Out and About in Durrow

All the latest news from Ballinakill, Cullohill, Durrow & Spink

HE FOLLY FESTIVAL 2023: The Folly Festival 2023 will be held on July 7th and 8th 2023 at Cullohill Castle, Co. Laois. Early Bird weekend tickets now on sale for a limited time only – 25% off. Visit www.thefolly.ie for more information.
LAUNCH: A wonderful evening was held at CastleDurrow last Monday, December 12th as we launched the Folly Festival 2023, and donated over €18000 to clubs from Cullohill and Durrow – including the Harps GAA, Harps Camoige, Lions AFC, Cullohill Handball Club and Cullohill Tidy Towns. We were thrilled to also welcome Nancy Phelan to proceedings and once again thank her for providing us with such a beautiful venue, at Cullohill Castle! 

DURROW TIDY TOWNS NEWS: Durrow Tidy Towns are holding their annual Christmas Fundraising Raffle Supporting Tidy Towns projects in Durrow. First Prize – Luxury Christmas Hamper in Picnic Basket; Second Prize – Luxury Christmas Hamper; Third Prize – Luxury Medium Christmas Hamper; and Fourth Prize – Luxury Mini Christmas Hamper. Tickets are €5 each or three for €10. Tickets are now available in St. Canices Credit Union, Kenna Butchers, Durrow Post Office and from committee members and volunteers. This is an important fundraiser for next years planting and your support is as always much appreciated. The draw will take place in Durrow Post Office on Friday 23rd December at 4pm and it will also be streamed live on Durrow Tidy Towns Facebook!

ST CANICE’S CREDIT UNION DURROW – CHRISTMAS 2022 OPENING HOURS: Friday, 23rd December 2022: 10am until 1pm and 2pm until 6pm; Saturday, 24th December to Wednesday 28th December: Closed; Thursday and Friday, 29th and 30th December 2022: 10am until 1pm and 2pm until 4pm; Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 31st December 2022, 1st and 2nd January 2023: Closed. 

NEW YEARS DAY WALK 2023: We invite all Walkers, Vintage and Modern Tractors back to Ballacolla village for the 2.00pm start of the Annual New Year’s Day Walk and Tractor run. With registration at 1.30pm we will traverse the now well trodden routes before returning to St. Patrick’s Hall where refreshments and the raffle will be held. All Proceeds from the Day will go to support the local National School and The Hawthorn Community Centre. Please Support.

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.

WHIST DRIVE – NOTE CHANGE OF DATES: The Killermogh Whist Drive is held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow at 8pm on the ***fourth*** Thursday of every month during 2023. Please come and enjoy a lovely friendly night. The next Whist Drive will now be held on 22nd December 2022 at 8pm.

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 11th December 2022 were: First – Patsy and Michael Moran; Second – John and Kitty Farrell; Joint Third – Padraig and Noreen Ryan, Gerry Kelly and Paddy Walsh, Eddie Delaney and Joe McGill. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Willie Dunphy and Willie Gorman; The winner of the Christmas Hamper was Pa Maher. Well done to all and many thanks to Cullohill Community Council for the Christmas Hampers. Please note that there will be no Card Game on Christmas night but Game will recommence on 1st January 2023. Happy Christmas to all our patrons.
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.

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.

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…! Only a couple of days left, so hurry!

RENTAL ACCOMMODATION 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.

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.

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.

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.
DECEMBER EVENTS IN THE LIBRARY: Christmas Treasure Hunt – Visit the library in December and find all the hidden items to claim a prize!

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.

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.

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.

SYMPATHY is extended to the Phelan Family, Chapel St, Durrow, Co. Laois on the death of Nora Phelan. May she Rest In Peace.

CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE: For the first time in three years there will be a Christmas Carol Service in St. Fintan’s Church (Church of Ireland), Durrow, Co. Laois. We look forward to hearing Vocem Darú, the Durrow Community Choir, on Sunday 18th December at 7.00pm. Congregational carol singing also. Mulled wine and mince pies afterwards. This is a fundraiser for Church Funds. All welcome!
CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE: There will be a service of Holy Communion on Sunday 25th December in St. Fintan’s Church, Durrow, Co. Laois at 10.30am.

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: NEWS – Tickets are now available locally for our 49th Monster Christmas Raffle at a cost of €5 each. There is an array of fantastic prizes up for grabs as always, see more below! To add some fun to the festive season, we will have our Christmas Table Quiz in the Castle Arms on Wednesday 28th December at 9pm sharp. Tables are limited to four people at a cost of €40 per table. Give your christmas jumper another night out and come and join in the fun. We will have a super raffle and finger food will also be served. These annual events are very important fundraisers for the club, as they hugely assist with the day to day running costs so your support would be much appreciated. Finally, Lions AFC would like to take this opportunity to wish all our players, families, supporters and sponsors a very happy Christmas and very best wishes for 2023 which will be a very exciting year for the club.
FOR HIRE – 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.
CHRISTMAS DRAW: The Lions AFC 49th Monster Christmas Draw is finally here and once again we have some fabulous prizes to be won. Tickets can be purchased from any of our committee members or players or if you prefer to buy online you can do so through our Go Fund Me page: https://gofund.me/b8ca4cca and for every €5 donated a ticket will be entered into the draw, which will take place on Christmas Eve on the Green in Durrow. First Prize – Monster hamper; Second Prize – One Night B&B plus Dinner at the Killashee Hotel and Spa; Third Prize – Ireland International European Cup Qualifier (Two Adults and Two Children); Fourth Prize – Phelan’s Hardware Voucher; Fifth Prize – Ashbrook Arms Voucher; Sixth Prize – Bowe’s Café Voucher; Further Spot Prizes on the day of the draw! Please support.

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.