Durrow set to bloom next year with 40,000 daffodils
Daffodills brightening up the entrance into Durrow
THE first flowers of the spring will be eagerly awaited by the residents of Durrow this year following the completion of daffodil and hedge planting on the Cork and Ballyragget Roads by the Durrow Development Forum.
Assisted by an army of local volunteers, the Durrow Development Forum have planted over 320m of beech hedging and a staggering 40,000 daffodil bulbs over an area of 1km on approach roads to the town.
Marian Mahony, Secretary of DDF explained: “This is the second year of the planting project which saw hedging and daffodils planted on the Abbeyleix Road last year. Our intention was to plant a different road each year but we were delighted that this year we managed to do both the Cork and Ballyragget Roads”.
The project has been funded for the last two years by the proceeds of the annual Stars in Your Eyes concert and this year community members were also encouraged to make donations towards the cost.
DDF were fortunate this year as a mini digger was provided free of charge by Aylward Haulage which hugely reduced the costs of the project thus enabling the second road to be completed.
Raising funds for community projects is difficult in the current economic climate as Marian confirmed.
“Durrow is a small town and like everywhere else in the country times are tough. As a committee we are trying our best to enhance the town for both residents and visitors with the resources we have and are concentrating on low cost – high impact projects. It is always very evident to us, that were it not for the loyal army of volunteers who support and assist our efforts, it would not be possible for us to complete a lot of the work within the community”.
There are exciting times ahead for Durrow in 2013 as the plans to rejuvenate the town square are currently undergoing the planning process.
“The rejuvenation of the square is a project that has been talked about for many years. We are working closely with Laois County Council and Laois Partnership and hope to have planning approval early in the new year. Our focus for 2013 will be on fundraising the community’s share of the cost, which is currently €30,000”.
Marian added that the success of the Durrow Scarecrow Festival during the summer was a huge boost to everyone and the money raised has kick-started the fundraising effort. “We are all very excited about the planned works. The community of Durrow are very fortunate to be benefiting from such a huge investment (approximately €700,000) in the current climate. I doubt many more towns will be our position in 2013”, Marian enthused.
Durrow have another busy year ahead for 2013 and no doubt plans are already underway for their annual non motorised St Patrick’s Day parade, as well as the ever popular Durrow Scarecrow Festival, which has attracted thousands of people to the village during the summer months. Durrow also have a website which features information on what is happening in the village and surrounding areas, visit www.durrow.ie for more.
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Weather for Portlaoise
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 14 C
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Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
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