Latest Laois News: Out and About in Durrow
Latest News from Ballinakill, Cullohill, Durrow & Spink
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE 2023 IN DURROW: It has been proposed to run the Durrow St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Friday 17th March at 1pm. This is our first parade since Covid and we want to make it the best one yet but we need all your help to make this the best St Patrick’s Day parade Durrow has ever seen. We need volunteers, floats, fun, music, dance, gaelic games and we need the full community to assist. Please text or phone Ian on (087) 4422654 or Pat on (087) 2814661 for further information and to partake or contact us on our social media pages.
THE 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.
BOOK: A book titled ‘The Poorest of the Poor’ by Durrow author Seosamh O Cuinneagain is now available. All the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated towards the education and general welfare of the street children of Kolkata. Price €20. Please phone 0868263368 for more details.
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 is on Thursday 26th January at 8pm in the Durrow Parochial Hall.
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 15th January 2023 were: First – Pa Maher and John Dollard; Second – Sean O Shea and Gerry Kelly. The Raffle Winners on the night were: Johnny Kelly, Martin Mahony, and Anna Burke.
CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE: Annual Auction – Our auction is planned for Sunday, February 19th. Committee members will be in contact with households over the next number of weeks. All support is greatly appreciated.
Squash League – Teams have been drawn up for a Squash League with games due to start the week of January 23rd. It’s been some time since a league has been run so hopefully this can generate additional games and further leagues into the future.
Indoor Soccer: This year’s Indoor Soccer Leagues finished just before Christmas with great action each Friday night over five weeks. There were three categories including Primary School and two separate Post Primary Groupings. The finals were a great success with a small prize / presentation to each member of the three winning teams (a sponsored voucher for the local Circle K Shop).
Extension: Building works have just begun on the new extension. This will be a great addition to The Centre providing additional storage as well as a ‘hang out’ / recreational space for teenagers.
Recent Social Night: A recent social night in The Centre just after Christmas was very well attended. DJ Ali D had the place rocking with a great night enjoyed by all in attendance!
Membership: 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.
SCOIL TIGHEARNACH NAOFA CULLOHILL: The children from Scoil Tighearnach Naofa, Cullohill, are performing in the Peace Proms concert in the University of Limerick on Sunday 22nd January. Our children from 2nd to 6th class will be performing in the Sports Arena with other schools and will be accompanied by the Peace Proms Orchestra. The concert begins at 1pm. A small number of tickets are still available on the Peace Proms website.
DURROW ART CLUB: Art Classes will be starting on the 25th of January in the ICA Hall, Patrick Street, Durrow. Beginners are most welcome. More details from Marie on (086) 3136028.
STAFF WANTED: Happy Days Creche in Durrow are currently looking for a Childcare Professional. Details of Position: The ideal candidate must be confident in working as part of a team, in a child led, child centred, play based environment. Qualifications Needed – The successful candidate must have a minimum of Level 7 in Early Childhood Care and Education. If you are interested in this position please send a CV and a cover letter to happydayscreche1@gmail.com by email.
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 BRIDGE CLUB NEWS: Durrow Bridge Club have resumed their Bridge nights in the Castle Arms Hotel every Wednesday night at 7.30pm. All are most welcome. Recent Results – Wednesday January 11th: First – Phil Kingston and Paddy Purcell; Second – Mary Hickey and Nancy Costello; Wednesday January 18th: First – Ann Fitzpatrick and Dolly Harding; Second – Pauline and John Bowe.
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.
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.
KILQUAN PLAYERS: The Kilquan Players Drama Group present a comedy in Three Acts by Jimmy Keary: The Maiden Aunt will be performed in Coon Hall, Kilkenny County on Sunday the 4th of February at 8pm, then on Friday the 9th of February at 7.30pm, also on Saturday the 10th of February and Sunday the 11th of February at 8pm both nights. Admission is €10. No bookings, so please come early on the nights!
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.
DURROW-CULLOHILL PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Durrow-Cullohill Pastoral Council are looking for people who will assist with: (1) Cleaning the Church; (2) assisting with the collection during Mass, and (3) Readers for weekend Masses and Eucharistic ministers. Please give your name to Martin Lawlor, Seamus Clancy, or any member of the Pastoral Council. Your help would be gratefully appreciated. This is for The Holy Family Church Durrow.
CULLOHILL HANDBALL CLUB: There was great action on Sunday, January 8th, with the Fogarty Cup presented to the overall winners in the Jimmy and Vera Handball Competition. This competition started mid-December with all juvenile players in the club competing in a Team Competition. The games provide ideal preparation as players prepare for upcoming Laois and Leinster Championships.
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 Tom Ryan on (087) 6159226 or Shane Brophy on (087) 2034035. Thanks to everyone who supports our weekly Split the Bucket draw.
St Stephen’s Day Tournament – Tournament-winning captain Aaron Grady presented “Cuisle Cancer Support Centre” a cheque for €800 which was raised on the day. Well done to all involved!
THE LIONS AFC 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.
RESULTS: U16 Kilkenny League: Lions 4 V 0 Thomastown. Scorers – S. O Reilly (2); O. Hovendan (1) and L. Kelly (1). Great win for our U16 girls at home in Dereen on Saturday morning last 14th January.
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.