Out and About in South Laois Extra

The “Cripple of Inishmaan” comes to The Manor Hotel, Abbeyleix – Laois Open Door Theatre are proud to announce following up on their two recent sell out shows in the Dunamaise Arts Centre, are putting on their play “The Cripple of Inishmaan” by Martin McDonagh in the  Manor Hotel, Abbeyleix on Thursday 28th April at 8.00pm. Directed by Anne Campbell, this is a play not to be missed. It has Fantastic comedy, Brilliant drama and Dazzling suspense. So come early to get your seat for this is your last chance to see this fantastic play as seats cannot be booked.

People interested in getting involved on the 2016 Tidy Towns Committee are   invited to attend a meeting on Monday, 25th April in The Library/Courthouse at 8pm. We would hope that people from all parts of the town come and represent your area. We look forward to seeing you there with a view to increasing our annual National Tidy Towns score and making the village attractive for the summer months.

CONGRATULATIONS to Brian Dunne, Knockanoran, Durrow and Lyndsey Brennan, Cullohill on their recent marriage.

Monday 4th April: There was no jackpot winner of €5,600. The numbers drawn were: 03, 17, 19 and 20. The mini-draw winners were as follows: €30: Philip Kearney, Derevald, Durrow, Co. Laois; €25: Sinead Curran, Our Lady’s Meadow   Primary School, Durrow, Co. Laois; €20: Robyn Townsend, Dunmore, Durrow, County Laois.

Monday 11th April 2016: There was no jackpot winner of €5,750. The Numbers drawn were: 06, 14, 15 and 23. The small draw winners were: €30: Tom Woods, Carrigan Street, Durrow, Laois; €25: Sean Walsh, c/o Michael Walsh, Angling Club; €20: Lorraine Lawlor, Mill Road, Durrow, Co Laois.

Monday 18th March 2016: There was no jackpot winner of €5,900. The Numbers drawn were: 07, 17, 20 and 26. The small draw winners were: €30: Joe Doyle, Newline, Durrow, County Laois; €25: Aoife Phelan, Chapel St, Durrow, Co. Laois; €20: Roisin Phelan, Chapel St, Durrow, Co. Laois.

The March Whist Drive was held in the Parochial Hall, Cork Road, Durrow recently. Top Score – Elizabeth Cooper; First Lady – Nancy Ryan; Second Lady – Ed. Slevin; First Gent – Liam McCartney; Second Gent – A. Doheny;  Quarters – Mick Scully, Bridie Metcalf, Valerie Stanley, Mary McCabe and Rory O’Shea; Juveniles – Erin Lalor and Coleen Lalor; Low Score – Nancy    Keogh. The raffle winners were – Henry Miller, Pat Fanning, Irene Delaney, Coleen Lalor, Erin Lalor, Lena McEvoy and Mick Kelly. The next Whist Drive will be held in the Parochial Hall,    Durrow on Thursday April 28th at 8.30pm.

Locals Karen Scully and Lisa McDonald are trying to organise a charity event for the Irish Cancer Society and are looking for people to participate in a Lip Sync Battle. You can choose your own song to mime on the night and it’s only 60 to 90 seconds, so it’s not as scary as it sounds! The only way that this can go ahead is with the help of you – because without participant’s the show cannot go on!

It’s a really good cause and you are not only supporting the fight against cancer but you are also providing funding for areas such as night nurses, care to drive and cancer research. So why not get your hairbrushes out and start practicing! If all goes well, a great night of fun & laughter is sure to be had. Contact Karen Scully or Lisa McDonald if you are interested in taking part or have any queries. We look forward to hearing from you – thanks in advance!

The Summerhill Family Fun and Fair Days’ second annual event will take place on Sunday 29th May at the Summerhill School’s Campus in Portlaoise from 1pm to 5pm. Crafters, food vendors and stallholders are now invited to apply for their stalls at this event. Please note that stalls are on a first come first served basis. For an  application form or more information you can contact summerhillcraftandfoodfair@gmail.com by email. You can also find SummerhillFairPortlaoise on Facebook.

View your local community’s latest news, sport, notices and much more by logging on and visiting www.durrow.ie online.

Durrow-Cullohill Parish Anglers are holding a trout fishing competition for the Mick Monahan Memorial Cup this Sunday April 24th, 2016. Entries taken at Lawlor’s Flower Shop from 9.30am with the weigh-in at The Durrow Inn at 6.00pm Sharp. Usual rules apply. All members will have receive a text with full details of the competition during the week.

Open Night – Please join us for the Laois Kayak and Canoe Club Open night on Wednesday 27th April from 7.30pm at the Bridge in Durrow. All are most welcome to come and see the new clubhouse, enquire and try out some kayaking. Current members or anybody who would like to join are welcome to pay their membership on the night. All age groups are welcome. More information on LKCC Facebook page or www.laoiskayak.com online.

AGM – The Laois Kayak and Canoe Club AGM was held at the new clubhouse on 22nd February and the following officers were elected: Chairperson – Vincent O’Brien; Vice-Chairperson – Ruth Cronin; Treasurer – Enda Whelan; Secretary – Emer O’Brien; Assistant Secretary – Brenda   Murphy; PRO – Brian Ogilvie; Child Protection Officer – Debbie Whelan; Club Meets Race        Officers – Matt McGrath and Fergal Hill; Safety Officer – Mick Malone.

Committee Members – Karl Rafferty, Paul O’Brien, Andrew Carroll, Eugene Meehan. LKCC wish to thank all who attended the AGM and look forward to another year on the water.

European Freestyle Championships – Training continues for Mikie Murphy who will compete with the Irish Junior Freestyle team in Germany this month and we are all delighted for his qualification.

We are missing some team jerseys at all ages and would appreciate if   parents would check to see if they have any team jerseys. Contact Vera on (087) 1359333 if any are found. Many thanks.

On Tuesday, April 12th the National Hurling Coach – Paudi Butler visited the Harps GAA grounds in Durrow to give a ball wall session with both juvenile and senior teams. Everybody was put through their paces and new skills were learned. It was a fantastic occasion for the club and was the first major use of the facility since it’s completion at the start of April. Great thanks to everyone who helped make the night a great success.

The Harps lost out to Camross in the fourth round of the league, as goals proved to be the difference between the teams. Played on a fine sunny evening, The Harps were reliant on the skills of John Brophy to keep them in touch. The    opening half saw the two teams evenly matched, but Camross buried two chances to the back of the net while John Brophy was slotting frees and some good scores from play to keep The Harps in contention. At half time the home side were ahead on a score line of 2-06 to 0-06.

The second half continued in a similar fashion as Camross began to stretch the lead. Pat Walsh and Eoin Clancy were to weigh in with points from play to assist Brophy, but Camross went on to score a further two goals to finish the game as a contest. John Brophy continued on to showcase his skills and ended the game with a fine personal tally of 0-12 (0-06 frees). This was a reality check for The Harps, but there is plenty of room for improvement and with good effort in training the results will come. The final score line was The Harps 0-15 v 4-14 Camross.

The Harps: 1. Kevin Galvin; 2. Tommy Moore; 3. Pakie Flynn; 4. Aaron Dunne; 5. Conor Brophy; 6. John Prior; 7. Barry Dunne; 8. Conor Dunne; 9. Shane Donoghue; 10. Shane Fitzpatrick; 11. Pat Walsh; 12. Eoin Clancy; 13. Conor Deegan; 14. John Brophy; 15. Niall Brophy. Subs: Fintan Deegan, Ross Young, Sean Cahill, Dan Delahunty and Rory Moore.

The Harps Senior Hurlers next play Borris-Kilcotton in Durrow next Tuesday, April 26th at 7.15pm. The Club hope that a big support will attend and cheer the lads on.

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! The Local Branch can be contacted by phone on(089) 2525344.

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

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…

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.

Visit www.laoisweather.com for up-to-the-minute information.

The next newsletter will be on sale weekending May 6th and May 7st. All adverts must be booked with Angela Drennan (087) 1928522 or Mary Walsh (086) 3055157. Advertisements cost €2 per issue of Durrow Parish Newsletter and must be paid for in advance.