Out and About in Durrow

Your latest news from Ballinakill, Cullohill, Durrow & Spink

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – DURROW TIDY TOWNS: The Annual General Meeting of Durrow Tidy Towns will take place on Thursday 13th March at 8pm in the Library on Chapel Street, Durrow. All are most welcome to attend.
JOIN US! If you are interested in taking part in Tidy Towns activities or getting involved in specific projects to continue to maintain and improve Durrow, please get in touch on tidytowns@durrow.ie, pm our Facebook Page or WhatsApp/Text Fred Townsend on 087 6892323.
DOG WALKERS! A reminder to clean up after your dog. We have Mutt Mitt dispensers and instructions on how to clean up after your dog, throughout Durrow. Dog fouling is a serious health risk and children can easily not see it and bring indoors on bikes, shoes, buggies and it’s a particular hazard to wheelchair users. If you’d like to become a green dog walker we have information in the Post Office and Library regarding the initiative. Please be responsible and clean up after your pet!
LEAFY LOOP WALKS! Please note that ALL dogs must be kept on a lead, without exception on the Leafy Loop in Durrow, this includes Dunmore, Clonageera, Bishops Wood, Derry Wood, Knockatrina and The Course. The Leafy Loop traverses across Coillte Woodlands and Farmlands with protected species and farm animals. Your Dog is not an exception to be left off a lead.

LIVE WELL EXPO 2025: The Annual Live Well Expo which will be showcasing supports, services and activities available to all ages in Laois will take place on April 23rd next at Portlaoise College R32 N795. Register your interest by calling Tom on (086) 0363426 or (057) 8664150, or Emma on (086) 0665215 or (057) 8664042.

DURROW SENIOR CITIZEN’S PARTY 2025: A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us through the fundraisers or has kindly donated towards our annual party, it was very much appreciated. 

IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST PROGRAMME MEETING: Fáilte Ireland has developed a new Ireland’s Ancient East Champions Programme to help enhance customer service skills and build local product knowledge. The programme will combine our Local Experts and Service Excellence programmes, with specialised training in accessible tourism. Frontline professionals, from taxi companies, pubs, restaurants, accommodation
businesses, social enterprises, festivals, community volunteers, and anyone who engages with visitors, are invited to register for our free Champions Programme workshop for Laois.
This event will take place this Wednesday, 12th March from 10am until 1pm (Registration from 9.30am) at The Maldron Hotel, Abbeyleix Rd, Meelick, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, R32 HKN3. Register by emailing champions@failteireland.ie with your name and place of work. Spaces are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your team’s skills to provide an exceptional visitor experience.

BUSINESS CLINIC IN DURROW LIBRARY: Laois Tourism Business Clinics – Are you a tourism business in Laois? The Laois Tourism Activator will be running a clinic in Durrow library on Tuesday, the 25th of March from 6pm to 7.30pm. Book your place with the Library in Durrow.

RE-TURN! Cullohill School Parents Council are asking the community to consider recycling some of their Re-Turn cans and bottles in one of three Re-Turn bins in the locality. The bins are at Cullohill National School, the Community Centre and at Bergin’s shop.  All funds raised will benefit Cullohill National School and would be greatly appreciated.

THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS NEWS: Congratulations to Eoghan (Third Laois Durrow) and Sean (Sixth Tipperary Roscrea) who represented the Slieve Bloom County in the Crean challenge this year. They landed back safely in Dublin on the morning of February 22nd last and have loads of stories to share with their groups. Congratulations to all the Crean Scouts and the Mentors who guided them all for eight days.

COIS NORE CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE: Cois Nore Outreach will be visiting the following local venues: Dr. Hogan’s Rooms, The Square, Ballyragget from 10am to 12pm on Mondays and Mill Family Resource Centre, Urlingford from 10am to 12pm on Fridays. Phone (087) 4833941 or email for an appointment or drop in during the above times. This is a local free and confidential service supporting those who need it to live well with cancer and also has services for their families.

DURROW BRIDGE CLUB: The winners from the last meeting were: First – Teresa Muldowney and Jimmy Ryan; Second – Hilda McEvoy and Jacinta Fitzpatrick; Third – Nuala Molumby and Shem Mulhall. Winners from the second meeting were: First – Nancy Bennett and Ann Dooley; Second – Marie Foley and Jack Murphy; Third – Teresa Phelan and Tony Dooley; Fourth – Fr. Martin Delaney and Marion Sherman. Winners from the third meeting were: First – Nancy Bennett and Ann Dooley; Second – Teresa Ryan and John Bowe; Third – Ella Walsh and Mairead Woods; Fourth – Fr. Martin Delaney and Marion Sherman. The League Winners of 2024/2025 are as follows: First – Nancy Costello; Second – Shem Mulhall; Third – Mary Hickey; Fourth – Teresa Phelan; Fifth – Paddy Purcell; Sixth – Rose Talbot; Seventh – Marie Foley; Eighth – Jack Murphy; Ninth – Mark Kirwan and Tenth – Marion Sherman. Well done to all our winners!

IRISH DANCING CLASSES: Traditional Irish Dancing Beginner classes for ages 4+ continues on Mondays in Durrow CYMS Hall. Time: 4.30pm until 7.30pm. Limited places available. Text or call Katrina on (085) 7606866.

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE:
CIRCUIT CLASSES are running in the Centre every Tuesday and Thursday evenings with instructor Richie Saunders. Also, personal training sessions are available in mini-gym. Further details through (087) 6608248.
SPEECH AND DRAMA CLASSES: Speech & Drama Classes are running on Wednesdays from 6.45pm until 7.30pm. For enquiries, please contact 087 6473414.
TAEKWONDO CLASSES: Taekwondo Classes will be held in Cullohill Community Centre on Tuesdays from 6.15pm with different time slots for various age groups.. For more information please contact (087) 9003813 or contact allcountiestkd@gmail.com by email.
CULLOHILL COMHALTAS: Comhaltas classes will continue on Tuesdays. Email to cullohillcomhaltas@gmail.com with any queries or to join.

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE – PROGRESSIVE 25 CARD GAME: Progressive 25 Card Game continues every Sunday night in Cullohill Community Centre at 8pm and all are most welcome. Winners on Sunday 2nd March 2025 were: Joint First – Terry Dunne and Seamus Brennan, Joe McGill and Eddie Delaney; Joint Second – Padraig and Noreen Ryan, Patsy and Michael Moran, Dick Brennan and Michael Kells. The winners of the raffle were: Terry Dunne and Percy Phelan.

VOCEM DARÚ CHOIR: Ladies! Do you enjoy singing? Ever thought of joining a choir? Vocem Daru community choir is looking for new members. We are a lovely bunch of women! Why not give it a try? No formal training required! For more details phone Ann on (086) 6045409.

DIGITAL NEWSLETTER: Get our digital newsletter delivered weekly to your email inbox for free! Please email info@durrow.ie if you are interested.

BALLYOUSKILL 25s CARDS GAME – Ballyouskill 25s Cards continues in Ballyouskill Community Hall on the last Friday of the month at 8pm. Our next game is March 28th 2025. Usual raffle and prizes on the night! All are most welcome.

WHIST DRIVE: The Killermogh Whist Drive will be held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow. The Next Whist drive is on Thursday the 27th of March 2025 at 8pm. All are most welcome.

CHANGE OF DAY – SET DANCING CLASSES: Set Dancing continues in The Wheel Inn Ballyouskill on Monday nights at 9pm – all are most welcome to join. Contact Paddy at (085) 8607256 or Francis at (085) 7157694 for more details. An enjoyable way to socialise while helping to keep fit.

DURROW BRIDGE CLUB: Club meetings continue on Wednesdays at 7.30pm in the Castle Arms Hotel. All are most welcome. 

DURROW AND DISTRICT PIPE BAND: We’re always looking for new members, so why not come along to a practice? Get in touch with our Facebook page if you’re interested in learning the pipes or drums, all levels catered for. See www.facebook.com/DurrowPipeBand or search Facebook for “Durrow & District Pipe Band” to find us online.

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 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.
ONLINE BOOK CLUB – 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.
OPEN HOURS – Durrow Library Opening hours are Tuesdays from 1.30pm to 7.30pm (closed for lunch from 5.30pm until 6pm) 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.
IRISH CIRCLE (Ciorcal Comhrá) – The Irish Circle group meets in the library on Tuesdays at 6.10pm. Beidh fáilte róimh cupán tae agus cúpla focail Gaeilge a labhairt no a canadh.
ADULT BOOK CLUB – The club meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 6pm. The next meeting is on Tuesday, the 25th of March 2025 – new members welcome.
JUNIOR BOOK CLUB – The Junior Book Club’s next meeting will be held on Wednesday, the 26th of March at 3:10pm. New members welcome! Call or email the library for more details.
BUSINESS CLINIC IN DURROW LIBRARY: Laois Tourism Business Clinics – Are you a tourism business in Laois? The Laois Tourism Activator will be running a clinic in Durrow library on Tuesday, the 25th of March from 6pm to 7.30pm. Book your place with the Library in Durrow.

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: 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.

DURROW POST OFFICE: Call in to us today – we are now located in the Daybreak Store on The Square.

NUMBER FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – LAST UPDATED JULY 2023: Please note that our confidential contact helpline number for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Durrow, is (083) 4056021.

SYMPATHY is extended to the family and friends of Philip Gerard Sheppard, Sheppard’s Antiques Durrow, Laois County and Ballyouskill, Kilkenny County on their recent bereavement.

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CHURCH NEWS: Parish Office – Regular opening hours have now resumed and are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10.00am to 2.00pm. We have signed Mass cards, Baptismal candles, Communion gifts and more available to purchase. All Mass intentions, baptisms and weddings must be booked through the office on (085) 2625033, by email at durrow@ossory.ie or in person. No Private advertising in the weekly Mass Newsletter.

Mass Hours – Saturday Evening – 6pm Vigil Mass in Rathdowney; 7.30pm Vigil Mass in Cullohill and 7.30pm Vigil Mass in Durrow (This Mass in Durrow only celebrated when Canon O’Doherty is available to celebrate it); Sunday Morning – 10am Mass in Errill; 11.15am Mass in Durrow.

Baptisms in Rathdowney and Durrow – Following the changes to our Mass schedule, baptisms can be booked for Saturdays at 4.30pm in either Parish and Sundays at 12 Noon in Durrow and Cullohill or 12.15 in Rathdowney and Errill.

Adoration – There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Cullohill Church every Thursday morning from 9am until 9.30am and in Durrow directly after 8.50am Mass (finishes at 11.30 am) on Mondays, also on Fridays from 7pm until 8pm.

Pastoral Council Members – The members of the Pastoral Council are: Martin Lawlor; Mary Lawlor; James Walsh; Carmel Ruane; Mary Ryan; Vicky Murphy; Margaret Murphy; Seamus Clancy; Sr. Anita O’Leary and Fr. Martin Delaney.

Parish Shops  – Both parish shops have a new range of gifts in stock for First Communion, Christenings and other events. Candles, Rosary Bracelets, Crosses & Chains, Rosary Beads, Bibles, Grave Ornaments. Come in and have a look!

Towards Healing – A confidential and free counselling service, Phone 1800 303 416. They provide face to face counselling, structured phone counselling, family counselling and a counselling helpline for people who have experienced institutional, clerical or religious abuse in Ireland.

Funeral Masses on our Website – In order to comply with GDPR regulations recordings of funeral masses will be available on our website for one month only. All previous funeral masses have been removed. Copies of past funerals are available to family members on request. Contact the Parish Office regarding the same.  

Restoration Fund Draw – Tickets are now available from the Parish Office for the Diocese of Ossory Cathedral Restoration Fund Draw. Tickets cost €120 for twelve monthly draws. Ten prizes each month – Top prize €2,000.

Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes – Led by the Bishop of Ossory, Most Rev. Niall Coll. Pilgrimage Director: Very Rev. Anthony O’Connor.
19th May for five nights – €949 per person. For information and bookings please contact Joe Walsh Tours on (01) 2410800 or contact info@joewalshtours.ie by email.

Please Note – If you are including a cheque in any of your envelopes, please make the cheque payable to Durrow Parish. These Cheques should not be made payable to Fr Martin or to the name of the Church itself. Please DO NOT scratch out your envelope number. It is not incorrect, we have renumbered the envelopes! Many thanks for your ongoing support.

VISITS – Do you have a family member or friend in a nursing home? Sr. Anita and I like to visit parishioners who are living in Nursing Homes or other Care settings. Unfortunately, we don’t have accurate knowledge about all of our parishioners from Durrow and Cullohill who are in Nursing Homes. I’m asking if you have a relative or know of someone from the parish in any Nursing Home or long-term care centre to please let us know. You can contact me, or Sr. Anita directly or alternatively leave the details in the Parish Office. A message from Fr. Martin.