Out and About in South Laois

National Fire Safety Week is from October 5th to October 12th. Durrow Fire and Rescue Service are doing a number of exercises to make everyone more conscious of fire safety in the home, at work, in the play area, etc… With this in mind the fire service are  doing a demonstration on the large green in The Square, Durrow on Friday October 9th at 2.15pm in the afternoon to coincide with the children leaving school. The demonstration will  include all aspects of fire safety, CPR and the AED and much much more.

This event is open to children from the school and their parents as well as anyone who wishes to see this wonderful demonstration. Fire personnel will be available to answer questions as well give fire safety advice. The Brigade also hopes to hold an adult night where they will demonstrate how to do CPR and how to use the AED. The date for this is not set yet but check this space next week for all the details. In recent months the need for the use of CPR and AED meant that lives were saved by the quick intervention of CPR and the Fire Service with the AED in the Durrow area.

Bagatelle in Concert: As part of their Final Year Tour, well-known group Bagatelle will appear at The Castle Arms Hotel on Friday 23rd October from 9pm ‘till midnight. The concert is for Trish and Ronnie who are taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. Tickets, €20 each, are available from The Castle Arms Hotel, Lawlors Gala and The Copper  Kettle or by contacting Trish directly on (086) 8779014. A great night is assured. Your support would be most appreciated.

Monster Raffle: Claire Walsh and Rory Doyle are holding a monster raffle as part of their Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser. Tickets €5 each. First Prize: Calf (or cash value); Second Prize: Weekend Break for Two; Third: Monster Hamper. Please Support. Claire (087) 9800007. Rory (086) 1591903.

As Group Leader I would like to thank all who attended our Den opening on Saturday last. A huge thank you to Paddy Quinn and the FÁS team, Marie Clooney and the hall committee, Canon O Doherty, Angela Drennan and Mary Walsh for all their hard work raising funds over the last 34 years and their invaluable work. Thank you also to Delphine for support in recent times.

Thanks to Cub leaders also for their work over last few weeks. Thanks to Paddy Lynch CC and Kevin  Murphy PC. This project has been ongoing over the last three years and it was a proud moment to finally after 34 years have a place we can call ours.

On Saturday our group was again presented our Standard of Excellence, for the fourth year  running and is a huge testament to all involved. Raising our standard and maintaining it show the great work and commitment all put into scouting in Durrow.

Spaces available in our cub section at the moment – ages 9 to 12 and scouts 12 to 15 and a half also in Venture Scouts aged 15 and a half to 18. Anyone over 28 welcome as a Rover or Scouter. So if you like the outdoors and would like to join the adventure please contact Group Leader Maureen Campion.

The Harps GAA Club will officially launch their 5-Year Plan on Thursday, October 1st in the new Gym Building at the Durrow grounds from 8.30pm. Former GAA President, Liam O’Neill will be in attendance to launch the plan which will outline all important aspects of development for the club both on and off the field for the remainder of this decade. 

The launch night will also give Club members and supporters a chance to view the newly constructed Gym building and public toilets complex which have been recently completed to a very high standard. All are most welcome to attend on the night. Refreshments served in the Clubhouse immediately after.

Church Cleaning Rota – October: Teresa Dunphy, Mary Lawlor, Margaret Donohue and Brigid Conroy.

In aid of St Mary’s Cathedral Restoration Fund – With over €15,000 prize money available this event will take place in Cillin Hill, Kilkenny on Sunday, October 18th at 3pm. Gowran Parish Bingo Committee take charge of staging this Bingo. Books costing €15 and €20. Single Sheets X3 for €2. Raffle Tickets from €2. Please support.

VOCATIONS AWARENESS AFTERNOON: An afternoon of conversation and reflection for men aged 18+ on becoming a priest in the Diocese of Ossory will take place on Sunday, October 4th in the Chapter Room at St Mary’s Cathedral from 2pm to 5pm. Information from Fr. Willie Purcell, Vocations Director. For more information phone (087) 6286858 or ossoryvocdir@gmail.com by email.

Kilkenny Bereavement Group are hosting a six week programme (1.5hrs per week) that could support you, your family and friends. The programme will consider the following themes: A Map of Grief and Grief Responses; The Stages and Models of Grief; Dealing with the Question “Why?” and other Particular Difficulites; How to find and accept Support       including the Needs of Children; Memories – Continuing Bonds; Resilience and Self Care. This programme will be held in Villa Maria, Talbotsinch, Freshford Rd, Kilkenny City at 8pm on the following Tuesdays – September 29th, October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th andNovember 3rd. Enquiries to Kilkenny Bereavement Support on (056) 7756538.

The committee of Durrow Text Alert group are continuing to seek subscribers to the service prior to it’s launch in the near future. Most households have completed forms and paid the annual membership fee already, however a few households may have been missed when the door-to-door call was made earlier in the summer. If you wish to be included in the Text Alert system, please contact Noeleen Dunphy (087) 9636460 or Mick Dunphy on (087) 7573099 as soon as possible.

Little Oaks Parent and Toddler Playgroup will be starting again on Tuesday 8th September meeting at 10am to 12pm in the Presentation Centre. All welcome. Enquiries: Teresa (086) 3914725.

CONGRATULATIONS  to Lorraine Lawlor, Durrow and Pat Mason, Limerick on their recent engagement.

Congratulations to Gerard Alley Junior, The Square, Durrow and Eimear Moore, Galway on their recent marriage.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR: A Christmas Craft Fair will take place in the Castle Arms Hotel, Durrow on Saturday, 7th November from 11amto 6pm and will feature Crafts people from all over counties Laois and Kilkenny who will present their unique Christmas gifts at affordable prices. If you wish to have a table at this event – please contact Mary on (087) 2200199 or durrowcraftfairs@gmail.com by email