Out and About in Durrow

Your latest news from Ballinakill, Cullohill, Durrow and Spink

CONCERT IN BALLYOUSKILL THIS JULY: The Ballyragget-Ballyouskill Lourdes Fund are holding a fundraising Cabaret on Sunday 13th of July in the Wheel Inn, Ballyouskill. Music by ‘The Wicklow Man’. Door prize on the night and tickets are available from the usual outlets. Please support.

SAVE THE DATE! Durrow Development Forum presents Durrow Goes To Hollywood at The Castle Arms Hotel in Durrow on Saturday November 1st 2025.

SHOWCASE IRELAND 2026: Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo® is now the foremost place for retailers to discover unique, design-led fashion and knitwear, jewellery, craft, gift, and interiors. The Show attracts buyers and press from Ireland and around the world. Now in its 51st year, Showcase has an impressive track record in attracting Ireland`s most talented makers and designers, along with buyers from over twenty countries.  The Local Enterprise Showcase 2026 will take place from Sunday 18th January to Tuesday 20th January 2026 at the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Local Enterprise Office Laois is offering places to either first time exhibitors and or those who may have exhibited at Showcase Ireland before with Laois LEO.
Selected participants will be charged a subsidised rate of €875. Stand fees will be paid via LEO South Dublin and must be paid in full by September 3rd, 2025.  Chosen exhibitors will be expected to attend an  in-person client briefing and full details will be provided at confirmation of booking stage. If you would like to apply, please complete the Application Form at https://submit.link/3Sh online. Applications must be received by 6pm on Wednesday June 25th. Applications arriving after this date and time will not be accepted. If you have any queries, or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact Linda Meredith at lmeredith@laoiscoco.ie by email.

FOLLY FESTIVAL 2025: The Folly Festival 2025 Tickets Are Now On Sale! Get ready for another unforgettable weekend at Cullohill Castle -packed with incredible live music, good vibes, and magic moments. Tickets available from Deegan’s (Centra) of Urlingford, Bergin’s Shop (Circle K), Cullohill and Dalton’s, Cullohill. Also, buy online at www.thefolly.ie – weekend tickets just €60, and remember, up to two under-14s go free with every ticket-holding adult! Visit our website for full details.

MALIN-2-MIZEN: Best of luck to the local cyclists Padraig Phelan, Mark White, Sarah Palmer, and Julie Morris, who are cycling from Mizen Head to Malin Head in aid of The Mater Hospital Foundation. All donations greatly appreciated which can be made here online. The route we hope to take is: Mizen Head to Charlsville – Tuesday 24th June – 157km; Charlesville to Oranmore – Wednesday 25th June- 148km; Oranmore to Bundoran – Thursday 26th June – 176km; and Bundoran to Malin Head – Friday 27th June – 158km. Each week in Ireland, one person under the age of 35 passes away from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndromes (SADS). The Mater’s Family Heart Screening Clinic screens families at risk of these inherited genetic conditions. The clinic was set up with funding from the Mater Hospital Foundation to help families. Sadly, many families only become aware they may be at risk, after losing a family member. Please support.

DURROW TIDY TOWNS- 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.

BIODIVERSITY FUNDING: The IUCN Save Our Species, in partnership with the European Union, has launched a new European Invasive Alien Species Rapid Response Fund. This initiative is designed to support in tackling the early stages of invasive species outbreaks. 
Condition: The project must directly address a recent introduction of an alien species at an early stage of invasion that has a high risk of spreading in the near future, resulting in negative impacts to biodiversity and related ecosystem services.
Key Details: Grants of €10,000–€50,000; Project length: Up to 12 months.
Focus: Rapid eradication of newly detected invasive plant or animal species in EU countries
The fund offers not only financial support but also access to expertise, technical assistance, and a European network of IAS practitioners. An informational webinar will be held in June for anyone interested in applying. More infomation and application visit https://iucnsos.org/funding-rapid-action-to-combat-invasive-alien-species-in-europe/ online.

CLIMATE CHANGE LEADERSHIP AWARDS 2025: APPLICATIONS OPEN! Ireland’s Climate Change Leadership Awards are delighted to announce applications are now open for Ireland’s Climate Change Leadership Awards 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your innovation and environmental initiatives on a national stage, and to be recognised as leading the charge for sustainability and fighting against climate change. With an easy application process and plenty of categories to choose from applying has never been easier – see https://www.iccla.ie/categories-iccla online. Choose one or multiple categories to showcase how and why your organisation or project should be recognised as one of the best. Find out more information on how to apply – full details at www.iccla.ie online.

LAOIS PPN: Contact us, Monday to Friday by appointment only. You can also contact us by: Email: ppn@laoiscoco.ie Phone: (057) 8665661 (Office); (086) 0352107 Dan. You can also mail us to: Laois Public Participation Network, JFL Avenue, Lyster Square, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

SOUNDBATH – Soundbath in Cullohill Community Centre. When: Sunday, 22nd of June from 10am until 11am. Immerse yourself in a deeply relaxing soundbath, either lying down or seated, which can help calm the mind and restore inner balance. This meditative experience is perfect for reducing stress and lifting your mood. For more information or to book a place, please text Teresa on 083 3364562. Cost – €20 per person. Mindful Paths Ireland.

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.

ABBEYLEIX HOUSE AND FARM OPEN DAY – JUNE 29th 2025:

Excitement is building for our Family Day on June 29th, and over half the attendees tickets have been sold. If you haven’t grabbed your tickets, you can get them on Eventbrite here: 

Family Day Festivities – Fun for Everyone!
From noon onwards, step into a world of excitement with: Craft Vendors – Discover unique, handcrafted treasures in the charming Stable Yard; Train Rides & Face Painting – Joy for kids (and the young at heart!); Spectacular Air Show – Look up and be amazed throughout the afternoon; Scenic Walks & Gardens – Stroll through the Walled Gardens, breathe in the fresh country air, and explore the riverside trails; Games, Shows & Activities – All included in your ticket price! Sound Bath in the Church – Step into stillness and serenity with this peaceful, immersive sound experience; Pony Relay at the Horse Arena – Cheer on the riders in a fast-paced, family-friendly equestrian relay. Delicious Eats & Refreshments. Savour an amazing selection of food, snacks, and drinks from specially selected vendors.

Every cent counts. 100% of ticket sales, vendor fees, and proceeds from our Abbeyleix House and Farm Kitchen Pantry go directly to charity!
We can’t wait to see you there!

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE – CIRCUIT CLASSES: 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 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 8th June 2025 were: First – Vera Brennan and Sean O Shea; Second – Dick Brennan and Michael Kells; Joint Third – Terry and Pat Dunne, Tom O Reilly and Paddy Prendergast. The winners of the raffle were: Ger Alley and Pa Maher.

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 – Thanks to everyone for your support during the year, also thanks to all our generous  sponsors. Your generosity is much appreciated. See you all in September.

WHIST DRIVE: The Killermogh Whist Drive will be held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow on Thursday the 26th of September 2025 at 8pm. All are most welcome.

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 6.10pm. Next meeting on Tuesday, 24th June – new members welcome.
Junior Book Club – the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 25th June at 3:10pm. New members welcome! Call or email the library for more details. 

DURROW COMMUNITY SATURDAY MARKET: Durrow Community Market continues on Saturdays from 9am to 12 noon on the Kilkenny Road beside the Church.

LAOIS LIVE LOCAL WEATHER: Visit www.durrow.ie/weather for live local weather data from Durrow. (Please note new website address)

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.

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

CULLOHILL ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Cullohill St Vincent de Paul will hold a church gate collection next Saturday night June 21st, before Mass. Please support.