All your recent local news from the Durrow-Cullohill area

The committee are looking for volunteers to give a hand for an hour or two over the coming ten days of the Scarecrow Festival. We need people to help out in Car Parks, Stewarding and other little bits and bobs. Even if you have not been on board over the past few years, don’t feel shy in getting involved! The volunteer team are a fantastic fun-having crew and will make you feel welcome while helping out our local community. So, as Mrs. Doyle says, go on, go on, go on!!! To find out what needs doing or to let us know where you’d like to give a helping hand, please give Evelyn a quick call or text message on (087) 9194428.

Some places are still left on our popular Teen Zone which runs specifically for ages 13 to 17 years on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for teenage boys and girls and includes, teen makeup and hair, kayaking and archery. This year by request and on feedback, there’s a pre-teen zone night for 10 to 12yrs for hair. Teen-Zone is by booking only and details are available on our brochure which is now up online and being environmentally aware for tidy towns, this can be saved to your phone for easy access!

The 2017 festival brings many workshops both old and new.  The following workshops must be pre-booked: Basket Weaving with Gerardine Wisdom; Ceramics with Seven Sisters; Youth Theater with Sarah Gaughan; Art Class with Marie Moylan; and the exciting Herb & Vegetable Discovery Trail with Dunmore Country School. We also have the following workshops which are drop in on the day: Crochet with Gabby Dunne-Das; Scarecrow Workshop; Fairy Door Making and Scarecrow Childrens dress-up Story-Telling. Demonstrations will also be given by: Clancy Hurleys; Padraig Phelan Woodwork; and Butter Making with Susan Carter.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION AT SCARECROW FESTIVAL: This Annual Photography competition has a Junior and Senior Category. Entry Fees: Senior €8, Juvenile (U16s) €5. Print sizes allowed for both competitions – Standard size to Maximum 12” x 10”. Entry Dates: Monday 31st July and Tuesday 1st  August from 3pm-6pm both days in Durrow Community Centre. Maximum of 3 photos per entry. For   further information contact Andrew Walsh (086) 3791904 or see www.durrowscarecrowfestival.com –   Entries do not have to be of scarecrows, this is a general competition and all entries are welcome.

As part of the Durrow Scarecrow Festival, the Annual Arts and Crafts Exhibition & Sale will be held at Durrow Community Centre, from Sunday 30th July to Monday 7th August inclusive. Items will be displayed throughout the venue including Photography, Knitwear, Pottery, Artworks         including Oils & Acrylics. Anyone interested in exhibiting should contact Mary on (087) 2200199.

For All Dog Lovers and back by popular demand, we are delighted to have Dawn Greer join us this year with Dog Agility. Dawn will give a demonstration on dog agility, and you’re welcome to bring your dog to try same as long as your dog is fit and healthy. Dog Agility will be located on the Cork Road on Monday 31st July from 7pm to 8pm and on Bank Holiday Monday 7th August from 2pm to 4pm.

The Annual IWW Wrestling Warriors Show will be held on Monday 7th August with matches every hour from 12.30pm to 5.30pm. Entry is €3 per person for that Monday ONLY.

To keep up-to-date with everything Scarecrow over the next ten days keep an eye on our website: durrowscarecrowfestival.com or follow us on Facebook. We also tweet – @ScarecrowTime and you can add us on SnapChat – durrowscarecrow. Do follow, like and share!

Church Cleaning Rota – July 2017: Maeve Thornton, Eileen Keenan, Brigid Traynor and Angela Drennan.

Mass Readers: Saturdays – July 29th: Oliver Lawlor; August 5th and 12th: Catherine Walsh; August 19th and 26th: Kay Sheppard. Sundays – July 30th: Kevin Kelly; August 6th: Deirdre Moore; August 13th and 20th: Liam Phelan; August 27th: Bea Alley.

Cemetery Mass will be held in Durrow in the Church of the Most Holy Trinity on Tuesday August 8, 2017 at 7.30 pm. Families are asked to help having the graveyard clean and tidy by attending to their family plot and removing any rubbish.

Sympathy is extended to PJ Hutchinson and family, formerly of Moyne, on the death of his brother   Eamon recently.

Sympathy is extended to the Brophy Family, Aughmacart, Cullohill on the recent bereavement.

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

Now is the time to contact Delphine Lawlor on (086) 3655178 if you wish to join us as Scouters/Leaders as we need adults to make the meetings more active for the youth in September. A planned information night will be held in July to show what we do and what is needed to become a  Scouter. Required: over 18, likes the outdoors and wanting to live an adventure with kids… having fun!

Congratulations to Ross Young, Archerstown, Durrow and Helen Spencer, Cullohill on their recent marriage.

Congratulations to Seamus Coffey, Barnhill, Durrow and Josephine Kavanagh, Ballacolla on their recent marriage.

This year’s Senior Citizens Outing will be to Fota Island and The English Market in Cork. A date for the outing has yet to be fixed but we hope to go in late August. The cost per person for the outing is €30. Payment in advance to secure your seat, as it’s a 36-seater coach it’s likely to be booked very quickly.

Laois Walks Festival 2017 will finish with the Leafy Loop Walk this Sunday, July 30th for a 14km walk through woodland, farms and along rivers. Meet at Dunmore Woods car park at 2.30pm to depart shortly afterwards.

Many thanks to everyone from the local area who supported and participated in many of the walks throughout Laois during the Walking Festival 2017. It is amazing the many beautiful, and varied walking venue’s throughout Laois. Great credit is due to Susan Lawlor, Festival Co-Ordinator for all her work.

The official DVD of the Variety Concert (held on June 30th last) was launched in the Castle Arms Hotel on Tuesday night, July 25th. The DVD will be available to purchase at a cost of €10 and it is well worth having as the concert was excellent. Many thanks to Pat Farrell who filmed the show and then edited and produced the finished product. The DVD is available from Mick Dunphy, Mary Walsh and Pat Farrell.

Up-to-the-minute local conditions for Durrow are at www.laoisweather.com online.

Laois County Council in participation with Laois Public Participation Network are proud to announce that the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards, 2017 are being held on the 17th October, 2017. Nomination Forms and details available from the Community Development Section or email dce@laoiscoco.ie. The closing date for nominations has now been extended to Friday 11th August, 2017.

Monday 10th July 2017 – There was no jackpot winner of €1,750. The numbers drawn were 04, 08, 20 and 21. The small draw winners were: €30: Martina Byrne, Ballacolla; €25: Noreen Joyce, The Square, Durrow and €20: Eddie Hutchinson, c/o M.O’L.

Monday 17th July 2017: There was no jackpot winner of €1,900. The numbers drawn were 10, 11, 14 and 22. The small draw winners were: €30: Betty Cooney, Tinweir, Durrow, Co. Laois; €25: Paschal Bergin, Cullohill Village, Co. Laois; €20: Mary Comerford, c/o Durrow Post Office.

Monday 24th July 2017: There was no jackpot winner of €2,050. The numbers drawn were 01, 03, 04 and 27. The small draw winners were: €30: Michael Gaughan, Mary St, Durrow, Co. Laois; €25: Trish Gaughan, Mary St, Durrow, Co. Laois; €20: M.S.C. O’Rourke, c/o Michael Walsh, Anglers.

Volunteers are required urgently to help with the work of the group. All it takes is one hour of your time per week to visit somebody living alone. Its very rewarding to do this small task weekly and its so much appreciated by the recipient. For more information please contact Patricia on (089) 4649759.

The Cottage Market Mountrath brings you all things home-made, home-grown and hand-crafted. Located at The Macra Hall, Main St. Mountrath – from 10am to 2pm on Saturday 5th August and the first Saturday of each month thereafter. Contact Anne or Lucy on (089) 2048089 for more details.

Progressive 25 Card Games are held in the hall every Sunday night at 8.30pm sharp followed by tea and sandwiches. Please support!

Assessment is carried out by an independent panel of adjudicators and takes place during the months of June, July and August each year. This assessment is always conducted in secret and on unspecified dates and Durrow Tidy Towns are appealing to everybody and to all businesses and homes to be active and keep the outside of their homes, premises and public areas clean and tidy. Extra effort has been put in for this years competition and without your help we can’t achieve better marks. Your ongoing assistance would be greatly appreciated in this especially over the coming two weeks during and after the Annual Scarecrow Festival when the town will be at it’s busiest. Many thanks for your ongoing help.

July 31st – Meet for a cycle at 7pm outside Bobs and we are going to finish on the green at the Senior Citizens Party with a set if possible.

August 20th: Join us for the highly anticipated Jack Moyney re-enactment and High Nelly Cycle in period costume. The cycle commences at 3pm with the re-enactment at 5pm. VIP tickets €10, Bar view €8 and bridge area €5.

October 7th: Greenway cycle from Waterford to Dungarvan. Leaving Bobs at 9am and staying overnight in Lawlor’s Hotel, Dungarvan. Booking details: Phone (058) 41122 or email olivekiely@lawlorshotel.com – the rate is €75 per person sharing and includes breakfast and dinner. Quote “High Nelly Cycle” when ringing. Book ASAP as places will fill fast.

Spink Comhaltas are continuing their popular Summer Seisiún series on Wednesday nights between 8pm and 10pm during August. The weekly Seisiún takes place in the Heritage House Museum, Abbeyleix, and all are welcome. There is no entry fee, but donations are accepted to cover the cost of the venue. The Seisiún has a different event every week – but it will comprise the best of Laois musicians in traditional Irish music, song, story telling and the occasional dancer. All are most welcome.

A book with 200 pages of Photographs spanning almost 100 years of Durrow and Cullohill memories including ICA, Hurling, Camogie, Soccer, School to mention but a few. Books for sale €25 each or two for €40. Please text or call Tom on (087) 2936531 or Kathleen on (086) 8263368 for further information.

Upcoming Events: The following events have been planned for Durrow Library…

Wednesday 9th of August at 2pm – Dogs Trust workshop by Paul and his dog Magic for 7-12 year olds

Thursday 17th of August at 4.30pm – Harry Potter Drawing Class for 10 to 15 year olds

Wednesday 23rd of August at 12.15pm – Introduction to Irish Wildlife (Children’s talk)

Scarecrow Festival: During the Festival there will be Scarecrow colouring in sheets available at the local library along with our very own Scarecrow Jane Austen! Pop in and say hi!

Irish Rural Link – Computer Classes for Beginners: Free computer and internet classes are being  offered by the Irish Rural link group. If anyone is interested please contact Durrow library or call in!

Summer reading stars: We’re entering the last few weeks of the children’s reading challenge! If anyone wants to sign up for the last few weeks feel free to call in. Our prize giving celebration will hopefully take place before school starts back.

Bonnet-Making Workshop: Many thanks to all who took part in the bonnet-making workshop on the 18th of July – especially to those who supplied the cakes and sandwiches. Much fun was had by all in our commemoration of Jane Austen’s death 200 years ago. There are plans to have a few more similar events over the next few months, so if anyone has any interest please get in touch.

Library Sign: Some of you might have noticed that the library sign has been updated with the library’s current opening times; however there is still one mistake that has to be rectified. The times are still as follows: Tuesdays: 1.20pm to 5.30pm and 6pm to 7.30pm; Wednesdays: 10am to 1.30pm and 2pm to 5.30pm; Saturdays 11am to 1pm.

The fishing club recently held a Trout Fishing competition for the SuperValu Cup. The winner was Brendan Sheppard; Second was Fred Townsend and Third was Seamus Stapleton. A Pike fishing competition for the Con Geoghegan Memorial Cup was also held   recently. The winner was Tommy Coffey, Second was David Walsh and Third was Ian Drennan.

TeenZone at the Scarecrow Festival: LKCC are again taking part in this years Scarecrow festival with Kayaking for the Teen Zone. All bookings are taken directly through the Scarecrow Festival but spaces are limited so book early. All equipment will be supplied, just bring a wetsuit or old clothing and some old shoes and a towel. Please note that this group is limited to ages 13 to 18 years.

Interested in Kayaking? Midweek Paddling is on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 7.15pm, please see Facebook for details. If you are interested in taking up paddling please keep an eye out on Facebook and on our website for introduction nights, training sessions and events for Junior and Senior paddlers, details at www.laoiskayak.com online.

The Lions Soccer Club hosted a Festival of    Football in Durrow on Sunday July 16th last. The club were visited by FAI Chief Executive John Delaney, President of FAI, and several FAI football Ambassador’s and former international star Ray Houghton. They were very impressed by the work being done by the Lions in promoting soccer in the area and were     delighted to see the hundreds of young boys and girls participation in the sport. Mr Delaney thanked Kevin Kelly, Chairman of the Lions and his committee of hardworking, dedicated helpers and coaches and in return promised his help and commitment to improving drainage on the pitch. A great day followed with sports, enjoyment, lovely food and a Gala Barbeque with a presentation of the Club awards for 2016/7.

HARPS GAA Race Night: Many thanks to everyone who supported our Annual Race Night by purchasing horses, sponsoring pages and races, and attending on the night. It was a good success with much needed funds raised for the club’s ongoing costs involved with training teams, etc… A small handful of cards arrived back beyond the deadline, however these were included in our auction race at the end of the night and each horse received an equal chance as any other on the night. Well done to the winners and many thanks once again for your ongoing support.

Third Time Lucky (Bonus Ball) Lotto: Congratulations to Mary Townsend, winner of the July €500 prize. This is Mary’s second time to win the prize, a huge congratulations to her!

Championship Results and Fixtures: The Senior A hurlers had a narrow one point loss to Rosenallis in their opening round and now must regroup to face Shanahoe Gaels in Mountrath this Friday, August 4th at 7.30pm. Please come along and support the lads.

The Junior A hurlers had a very impressive win over Castletown in the opening round last week with Ross Young and Niall Brophy on top form. They face near-neighbours Ballinakill this Thursday, August 3rd at 7.30pm in Borris-in-Ossory.

The Junior C hurlers have been in good form this championship pulling away from teams in the second half periods of games and now look forward to a Semi-Final against Rosenallis on Saturday, July 28th in Shanahoe at 7.30pm.

The Junior A Footballers lost to St. Joseph’s in their first game and will welcome Ballylinan to Durrow on Wednesday, August 9th at 7.30pm.

Minor Hurling Semi-Final V Camross: Monday, July 31st in Borris-in-Ossory at 7.30pm.

Hidden – But Still Among Us. Would you like to Volunteer in the ‘Guild of St. Philip’? Prisoners are easy to forget, locked in institutions, they seem to disappear from society‟s sight, but prisoners still belong to society that incarnates them. Most will eventually be released and the experience they have in prison will greatly affect their ability to adjust to life ‘outside’ as law abiding   citizens. That experience can be influences for the better through the action of concerned, informed citizens. If you wish to be involved please text (086) 0462405 or email judy.p@hotmail.com

Now re-opened. Organic meat, apple juice, eggs and other produce. Farmshop and tearoom open Fridays and Saturdays 10am – 5pm; Sunday 11am – 5pm. Enquiries to Dominic (087)9694070.

This year, 2017 is the 100th anniversary of the O’Brien’s starting their Headstone business in Durrow. If anyone has any old pictures of the Quarry on the Derry Road, Sean would be delighted to hear from you. You can email them to seanobrien1957@eircom.net or phone Sean on (086) 2656657 if you have them in paper form. Any additional details such as the names and date of the picture would be greatly appreciated.

The next newsletter will be on sale this weekend of August 19th and 20th. 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.

SEE AlSO – All aboard the Hogwarts Express at Durrow Scarecrow Festival