Out and About in South Laois

SCARECROW FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION: A Senior competition for the Joe Brophy Memorial Cup and a Juvenile Competition for the Durrow Development Forum Trophy. Juvenile age up to 16 years old. Entry fees: Senior €5 and Juvenile €3. Print Size for both competitions: From standard size up to maximum of 12″ X 10″. Prints can be mounted, but not necessary. Limit of four photographs per entry. All entries to be presented in an envelope with name of entrant, address and telephone number written on the envelope. Entry dates:Friday 24th and Saturday 25th July from 2.30pm to 4.30pm both days at Durrow Community Centre. Winning prints announced and Prizes awarded at 5pm on Sunday, 2nd August. For further information please contact: Andrew Walsh Senior on (086) 3791904. Best of Luck to all enterants!

ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITION & SALE: Durrow Scarecrow Arts’n’Crafts Exhibition & Sale will take place from 26th July to 3rd August in Durrow Community Centre. Space is limited, therefore please let organisers know soon as possible if you intend to exhibit this year. A short Artist Statement is required for publicity purposes. Further information available directly from Mary Dowling at (087) 2200199 or tomarydowling09@gmail.com by email.

COMHALTAS: Spink branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will be hosting their summer session series in Heritage House, Abbeyleix on Wednesdays, between 8pm and 10pm, starting 1st July and running until 26th August. There are 2 weeks when it will not take place – 22nd July and 12th August. The format of the evening includes a mixture of music, song, dance and story telling – anyone who is there who would like to perform will get the opportunity – either individually or in a group. There is no charge for the  evening, but donations are accepted to cover costs. Please encourage neighbours, friends, visitors, relations to come along. This is a very enjoyable evening, and the more people that we have at it each evening, the better it is! Highlights of the series will go up on Facebook each week, and we hope to have Irish TV present at one of the sessions.

THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS: Please Support the Scouts: We would ask that all the parents of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts to please support the Durrow Scouts in their fundraising by buying the newsletter either at the Church gate or in Tommy Kenna Family Butchers on The Square. Also to purchase a Parish Lotto ticket either in The Castle Arms Hotel, The Post Office or Tom Woods shop. Thank you for your continued support.

DURROW WEATHER STATION: Visit www.laoisweather.com for the latest conditions and forecasts.

DURROW COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Senior Citizens Annual Outing – Plans for this year’s outing are in progress and so far it looks like we will visit Newbridge Silverwear, Powerscourt House and Gardens and on to Enniskerry. A more detailed plan will be announced in the near future.

STRICTLY COME DANCING: Durrow Development Forum and The Harps GAA are delighted to be  bringing Strictly Come Dancing to Durrow on the 14th November. Our dancing couples are all working hard organising their fundraising events and would be very grateful for your support. A summer of great fun nights out is definitely ahead! Dancing tuition will start at the end of August so there is still plenty of time to get involved. We would be delighted to welcome another few dancing couples on board. If you are interested please call Marian on (086) 8390266 or marian@durrow.ie by email.

SCHOOL BUS SERVICE: Commencing this September there will be a new bus service from Durrow to Colaiste Mhuire, Johnstown for students. All will be catered for. For more information please contact M&A Coaches on (056) 8833454.

SATURDAY MARKET: 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 now available with a selection of fresh breads, scones, tarts and cakes. You can also book cakes for parties etc… with Bernie. Do come along, great value on offer!

BALLINAKILL BINGO: Monday night in the hall on The Square at 8.30pm and there is €1,000 in prize money every week. We also run a raffle. Books are at €7.50 for a single book with sheets and €15 for a double book with double sheets. There is also a bus service running from Durrow. For more information on pick up times please contact Dick on (086) 8402139.

ST VINCENT de PAUL: Anyone looking for help can contact us on (087) 3476012.

NEVEN MAGUIRE COOKERY DEMONSTRATION: Mountmellick Arts Centre will host a Neven Maguire Cookery Demonstration on Wednesday 22nd July at 8pm. Tickets at €20 each are available at O’Horain’s and O’Gorman’s shops Mountmellick and Mulhall’s Supervalu Portlaoise. Food Fair 4pm to 8pm. Enquiries to Mary, Mountmellick  Heritage Society on (083) 8435921.

REMINISCING GROUP: Anyone wishing to purchase a Durrow/Cullohill Reminiscing Book please call to Our Ladys Meadow during school hours, or contact Tom on (087) 2936531 / Kathleen on (086) 8263368.

BALLINAKILL SWIMMING POOL: The outdoor heated pool is open for the remainder of the summer during fine weather. For more information please contact (089) 4413150 to check if the pool is open on any particular day before travelling!

DURROW PARISH LOTTO: Monday 6th July 2015: There was no jackpot winner of €2,650. The Numbers drawn were: 02, 14, 23 and 28. The small draw winners were: €30: Agnes, c/o The Castle Arms Hotel, Durrow; €25: FT, IF, JQ, BC and VoB at Bob’s Bar, Durrow; €20: Damien Whyte, Ballacolla Village, Co. Laois.

Monday 13th July 2015: There was no jackpot winner of €2,800. The Numbers drawn were: 11, 15, 19 and 21. The small draw winners were: €30: Sean Lambert, Erkindale Dr, Durrow, Laois; €25: Mark Fitzpatrick, Seandoire, Durrow, Laois; €20: Niall Donohue, Carrigan St, Durrow, Laois.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next Durrow Parish Newsletter will be on sale weekending August 8th/9th. NOTICE: The deadline for inclusion of notes is Thursday, August 6th at 7pm to info@durrow.ie and ALL ADVERTS MUST BE BOOKED WITH ANGELA DRENNAN (087) 1928522 OR MARY WALSH (086) 3055157.