Out and About in South Laois

The Parents Council of Scoil Tighearnach would like to renew their thanks to everyone who supported the event. A limited number of Cullohill Beanie Hats are now available for purchase at a cost of €5 each, on a first come basis. Please contact Marian on 086 8390266 should you wish to purchase a beanie hat.

Anyone looking for help can contact us on (087) 3476012.

Kathleen Bolger, Cullohill would like to thank everyone in the Parish for the wonderful outpouring of good will on reaching her 100th Birthday, the community who organised the celebration in the hall and Fr. McGree for celebrating Mass.

Enrolment in Our Lady’s Meadow Primary School for September 2016 is now open. Enrolment forms are    available from the School Office each school day between 9am and 3pm or by telephone the Office at (057) 8736329. Please return completed forms to the school on or before January 28th 2016.

Scoil Tighearnach Naofa, Cullohill Enrolment for 2016 is now open. Please contact school  office for further information. Telephone: (057) 8737281. Office hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9.15am until 1.15pm.

Adult music classes resumed on Thursday 7th January in the Heritage House, Abbeyleix. This term runs for six weeks until 11th February and are still accepting new participants. Beginner classes (on whistle, banjo, fiddle) run from 7.30pm to 8.30pm, with    Intermediate/Advanced classes (all instruments) running from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Classes are €10 per night – these are payable in advance on the first night. If you are aware of anyone else who is interested in these classes please invite them along! Look forward to seeing you there.

The Durrow Community Text Alert Service went live just prior to Christmas 2015. There are almost 150 members in Durrow registered to this new service. A test Text was sent out to all members at that time with the Text Alert Mobile Phone Number. Any person who registered but who DID NOT receive this test Text, please call or text either of the following numbers: (087) 6927409 or (087) 2797214.

The Durrow Community Text Alert Committee is currently arranging to put in place Text Alert Signs on all roads leading into Durrow and in each housing estate.

We would like to remind you all that an AED Defibrillator is located on the side-wall of Cullohill Community Centre. Pat Barnaville (086 8304420) also carries around an AED in his car at all times. An AED is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm and can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm.

In the event of a person collapsing and becoming unresponsive: Call 999 (landline) or 112 (mobile); Call any one of our local Defibrillator Responders – their numbers can be found in the Defibrillator box and start CPR immediately while awaiting responder and emergency service.

We hope to commence a Squash League/Tournament in the very near future and are looking for players!!! All levels of experience are welcome as everyone will play against opponents of their own standard. Squash is a game that can be enjoyed by all – it is great fun and great exercise. If you are interested, please contact any member of the Cullohill Community Centre Committee.

Laois County Council Arts Office invites applications for the following awards and opportunities to individuals/groups and organisations from County Laois: Arts Act Grant 2016, Tyrone Gutherie Residency Bursary Awards 2016, Artist in School Scheme 2016 and Culture Night 2016. For any further information on these grants please contact: The Arts Office, Laois County Council, Áras an   Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois. Tel: (057) 8664033/13 or email: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie or visit www.laois.ie online. The closing date for all of the above grants is 18th February, 2016.

Our group will still meet socially each Wednesday evening at 7pm for the cuppa and a chat at O’Loughlins Hotel, Main St, Portlaoise. All welcome! We are also planning some other activities for 2016 to include a six week course of “Gentle Zumba Classes” commencing on January 26th.  The Local Branch can be contacted by phone on (089) 2525344.

Meeting: There will be a committee meeting next Tuesday 2nd February at 8.30pm in the club house. We would be grateful if all committee members could attend. Agenda will be circulated on the night. Any apologies to Brenda or email info@laoiskayak.com please.

Paddling: With the short winter evenings, outdoor paddling is at the weekend only, keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates. Competitions and races continue throughout the winter and will increase in spring.  The club wishes to remind all kayakers not to paddle on their own, especially with the higher water levels.

Pool Sessions: Pool sessions continue every second Sunday joining with Balto Kayak Club in Athy. This is a great opportunity to practice your rolls, rescues and general skills in the comfort of a warm pool. If interested contact Matt or Brian re same.

Water Polo: The Munster Polo League continues in UL Limerick and we wish all team members the best of luck and experience in the tournament, its a great experience especially for younger members.

LIVE WEATHER DATA: Visit www.laoisweather.com for up-to-the-minute information.

For sale: A limited number of Lions wind shearer tops and beanie hats are still available to buy. Sizes available SB (7-8 yr old), MB (9-10 yr old), LB (11-12 yr old), S (13yr old), M (14 yrs old) L (15yr old). Contact lionsafc@gmail.com for further information.

Any old or unwanted clothes or fabric can be left in the porch of the Cullohill Community Centre. All collections are in aid of Cullohill Handball Club.

Durrow Saturday market is open every Saturday from 9am to 12.30pm in the Computer Centre beside the RC Church on the Kilkenny Rd. Potato’s and Fresh Veg are available, to book your favourites please ring Marie on (087) 7742506. Home Baking from Bernie Brennan is also available with a selection of fresh breads, scones, tarts and cakes. You can also book cakes for parties etc.

Congratulations to Avril Deegan on her first competitive day out after injury. Avril came first in the east Munster schools senior girls cross country race. Avril will now represent presentation  secondary school Thurles in the Munster final in Cork in mid-February. Best of luck Avril!

The Annual General Meeting of Durrow and Cullohill District Anglers was held on  Friday night in the Presentation Centre,Durrow. The following officers were elected on the night: Chairman – Philip Kearney; Vice Chairman – Tommy Coffey; Secretary – Michael Walsh; Assistant Secretary – Pat Dunphy; Treasurer – Oliver Lawlor; Ass. Treasurer – Niall Donohue;

Committee – Alan Dwyer, Jonathan Stapleton, Ian Drennan, Patrick O’Regan, Simon Dwyer, Seamus  Coffey and David Walsh.

Membership: Durrow-Cullohill Waters – Senior €40 and Juvenile €5; Day Permit – €10; Grantstown  Membership: Senior – €30 and Juvenile €5; Day Permit – €10. Membership cards can be purchased at Lawlor’s Gala, Daybreak, Lawlor’s Flower Shop and through Michael Walsh, club secretary.

The Annual General Meeting of the Harps GAA Club was held on January 10th last. The election of officers were as follows: Chairman – Seamus Campion; Vice Chairman – Gabby Irwin; Secretary – Daniel Dunne; Ass Secretary – Dave Finnegan; Treasurer – Imelda Galvin; Ass Treasurer – Barry Murphy; PRO – John Dunne; County Delegate – Tommy Walsh; Childrens Officer – Nicola Walshe; Player Welfare Officer – Maura Galvin; Cultural Officer – Donal Deegan; Senior Hurling Manager – David Cuddy. More next issue.

Juveniles: The Harps Juvenile AGM was held on 8th January last. The election of officers were as follows Chairman – Noel Kirby; Secretary – Enda Murphy; Treasurer – Sean Dunphy. The Chairman congratulated all the teams in football and hurling, especially the victorious Feile team, the U14 Football and the U12 hurling teams. He wished all teams best luck in 2016. More next issue.