Out and About in South Laois

Apology: Durrow Development Forum would like to express their sincere apologies to the Durrow Inn and to Michael, Trish and family for leaving out their name on the list of Sponsors for this year’s Scarecrow Festival. They have generously sponsored us each year without being asked and have always supported the festival and DDF in everything we do. It was an error on our part and was in no way intentional and we can only apologise again to Michael, Trish and Family.

Entering in the Scarecrow Competition? If anybody is entering a scarecrow or has friends or family entering one can you please get the forms in ASAP. There’s a lot of background work to be done with signage and laminating. All entries are confidential so entering early is no issue. Also please remember that all scarecrows must be in place by 7pm on Saturday 23rd July, the evening BEFORE the festival starts, some judges will start judging that evening.

The July meeting of Cullohill ICA was held in Cullohill Community Centre on Tuesday night. Votes of sympathy were passed with the Sister and Brothers of the Late Donal Kelly, Newtown, Cullohill who died in London. Donal was interred in Durrow Graveyard last Sunday. May he rest in peace. A report on the federation meeting was read as was reports from An Grianan. Members who went on the outing to Clare/Galway had a very enjoyable time and thanks to Noreen for organising the outing. The annual trip to Knock Shrine was held on Tuesday July 12th. Veronica and Mary Ann won the raffle. There will be no meeting in August, with the next meeting being held on September 6th in Cullohill Community Centre.

Congratulations to John Clooney, originally from Durrow, on making the Irish Clay Pigeon shooting team that will compete in the International in Banbridge and in the British Open. John qualified by competing in many locations around Ireland and during these competitions John shot many 100 straights. Many friends of John wish him every good wish and we look forward to John reaching his very high standards during these internationals.

Cullohill Handball Club would like to thank John Dalton, William O’Connell and Jonathan Cullen of Dalton and Sons for their generous sponsorship of our club under 14 teams at Feile Na nGael. The teams did the club proud with Cullohill Boys Team One reaching the final of Division 3, Cullohill Girls Team One winning the Division 1 Shield,  Cullohill Girls Team Two winning the Division 3 shield and Jim O’Connor of Cullohill Boys Team Two winning the Division 6 Skills competition. Well done to all!

Annual Senior Citizen’s Day Trip: On August 13th the Durrow Community Council will host the Annual Senior Citizen’s Day Trip for 2016. A bus will leave Durrow Catholic Church Car Park at 9am returning at 9pm. The trip will include visits to Kilmainham Jail, Glasnevir Cemetery and the Botanic Gardens. The cost will be €30 per person. If interested, contact: Mary Walsh on (086) 3055157, Ethel Dunphy on (087) 0665752, or Mick   Dunphy on (087) 7573099. A great day out is assured!

Readers: Saturday Evenings: July 23rd and 30th: Oliver Lawlor; August 6th and 13th: Catherine Freeman. Sunday Mornings: July 24th and 31st: Irene Phelan; August 7th and 14th: Declan Phelan.

Church Cleaning Rota – August: Maeve Thornton, Eileen Keenan, Brigid Traynor and Angela Drennan.

Eucharist Ministers – August: Saturdays – Kate Doogue and Mary Doogue; Sundays – Liam Kavanagh and Brigid Jordan.

Cemetery Mass will take place in Kylogue Cemetery is on Friday July 22nd. Mass will be held at 7.30pm.

Sympathy is extended to Breda Phelan and family, Knockanoran and Marie Kennedy and family, Ballyouskill on the death of their brother recently.

The School of Psychology in Trinity College Dublin are currently seeking male and female participants over the age of 60 to take part in a study examining decision-making and health. The study can be completed online or in person, and will take approximately 25 minutes to complete. For more information please contact Sinead on (083) 8342455 or by email at moyletts@tcd.ie – alternatively you can complete this survey here online.

to Seamus Stapleton, Erkindale Dr, Durrow and Siobhan Love, Clough, Co. Kilkenny on their recent engagement.

The Woodenbridge Paddlers will hold a fundraiser as part of the Blueway 10K challenge on Sunday 21st August. The event will start from the Woodenbridge on the River  Erkina at 12noon and will conclude on the River Nore at New York. Refreshments will be held afterwards in the Fly Fishing Museum Attanagh. The Woodenbridge Paddlers have been the providers of the Blueway 12 week programme in Laois and have attracted big numbers to  practice sessions twice weekly many of which are first timers to the sport of canoeing. This  programme is rolled out by Waterways Ireland and Canoeing Ireland. We invite all our friends and supporters to be part of this event. Sponsorship cards are available at Wednesday and  Saturday sessions. For more information contact (087) 2395357.

Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps provide boys and girls (between the ages of 6 and 13) with an action-packed and fun-filled week of activity which revolves around maximising enjoyment and sustaining participant involvement in Gaelic Games. Activities are game-based (a strong emphasis is placed on skill acquisition) and are   organised in an age appropriate manner with a view to: optimising learning; enhancing   friendships; improving physical & psychological well being; promoting school and club links. The Harps GAA are holding this year’s Cúl Camp from July 18th to July 22nd. Booking can be made online at  www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie or contact Ciaran Muldowney on (085) 8351131. A Hurley and Helmet for Hurling and Camogie will be required for this camp. See website for further information and register quickly as only a few places remain.

A vacancy has opened in the Country Market for anyone interested in selling Home Made Cakes, Buns, Breads, etc… For further information please   contact Marie Clooney on (087) 7742506 or drop by the Saturday Market.

Monday 4th July 2016: There was no jackpot winner of €7,550. The Numbers drawn were: 01, 18, 25 and 28. The small draw winners were: €30: Keith Keane; €25: Leon O’Hara, Erkindale, Durrow, Co. Laois; €20: Steven Kenna, Seandoire, Durrow, Co. Laois.

Monday 11th July 2016: There was no jackpot winner of €7,700. The Numbers drawn were: 09, 10, 12 and 20. The small draw winners were: €30: Mary Geoghegan, Ballyboodin, Ballacolla; €25: John Brophy, Derrywood, Durrow, Co. Laois; €20: Mary Kelly, Carrigan St, Durrow, Co. Laois.

We are always on the lookout for new scouters. Maybe you were a leader previously and after your kids grew out of scouts, you left, by choice or not, maybe you would like to join us again and share your skills with new kids and new leaders alike. Or maybe you know someone that would enjoy being outdoors and join the big scout family. And even if you never did scouting but enjoy walking and challenging yourself, you should give us a shout and come and meet one of our sections. For more information about our group, please contact Delphine Lawlor on (086) 3655178.

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.

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

Durrow/Cullohill Parish Anglers held a Pike fishing competition for the C.J. Finnegan Memorial Cup recently. The winner was – David Walsh; Second – Tommy Coffey and Third – Pat Dunphy. All Members will be sent a text with full details of the next competition in due course.

Paddling continues at the Bridge in   Durrow on each Wednesday night from 7.15pm for Juniors. Our Juniors are also competing in polo with Southeast and Kilkenny Aqua and Canoe Club. Details of trips and events for all weekends are on our Facebook page.

Scarecrow Festival: LKCC are delighted to be assisting again this year in the Teen Zone with a Kayaking night on Wednesday 27th at the Bridge in Durrow. If you are interested in trying out Canoeing and Kayaking or would like to experience same, book into the Teen Zone on (087) 4132570 and we will see you on the night. All equipment and boats provided, just wear old clothing.

Congratulations: We would like to congratulate one of our Junior Paddlers – Conall Whelan in his fantastic achievement coming 80th of 104 competitors representing Ireland in Poland with the Junior Irish orienteering team. This is a very tough and gruelling competition with harsh  terrain and we are delighted for Conall and his achievements. Well done.

The Lions are holding there Annual BBQ and Awards on the 20th of August. A great day out for the whole family is assured and we hope to see you all there!

Championship Time: It’s that time of year again when the very much anticipated Hurling Championship commences. This year, our Senior Hurlers will face local rivals Ballinakill in what promises to be a mouth-watering tie next Sunday, July 24th at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise. This game is due to throw-in at 7.30pm, however there is a chance that this game may be played earlier in the day, so please keep an eye on the Club’s Facebook Page, Website or Twitter page for any updates.

The Junior Hurling Championship sees The Harps pitted against Ballypickas the night before (Saturday, July 23rd) in Mountrath GAA grounds. This game throws in at 7.45pm and promises to be a hotly contested clash – so please come along and support the lads.

The Minor Hurling Championship has already begun and The Harps overcame a hotly tipped Castletown side to progress to the next round. The Harps lads gave a magnificent performance against the favourites and after extra time ran out winners on a 6-15 to 3-16 scoreline. The Harps will now play Na Fianna in Shanahoe on Tuesday evening, July 19th at 7.45pm. We again appeal to everyone to get behind the young lads and cheer them on this Tuesday.

Our Junior Footballers will take to the field for the first time this year to face Ballylynan in the Championship. Crettyard GAA will host this game on Thursday, July 28th at 7.45pm and we   appeal to everyone to make the trip to the southeast of the county and support the lads.

Garth Brooks Experience Night: The Harps GAA would like to thank everyone who supported the recent Garth Brooks Night fundraiser held in Lennons Venue. There was a great crowd on the night with many local people and folks travelling from far flung places to hear the band who provided excellent entertainment, keeping the crowds on their feet dancing all night long. The club would like to thank everyone who helped out in making the night a success – whether it was cooking, selling tickets, managing the door or advertising – it was all much appreciated.

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