Months of fundraising and movie making reach a crescendo this weekend with staging of the Durrow Goes to Hollywood finale.

Teams of local people turned movie makers will gather for a gala night at the Castle Arms Hotel on Saturday, November 1 to enjoy screenings of movies.

The event is a vital part of of Durrow Development Forum's efforts to raise €226,000 needed for the new Community and Enterprise Hub.

Pictured: The Durrow Goes to Hollywood film group who did 'Friends'

Money has already been raised through various fundraising initiatives including the Scarecrow Festival.

With the community hub costing a whopping €2.3 million, once the community raise their goal of €226,000, Laois County Council will assist with €1.78 million in funding through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

In partnership with Lip Sync Ireland, locals have starred and worked on films such as 'Father Ted', 'Friends', 'Fawlty Towers', 'Sister Act', 'Waking Ned', 'The Snapper' and 'Pretty Woman'. Nearly €90,000 has been raised through donation to the different teams.

Durrow Goes to Hollywood Committee chair Evelyn Clancy said the project's reflects the power of community.

“Massive money has been raised so far- we don’t have a complete figure yet as we have more events to run this week, but we are very excited to announce the total amount on the night,” she told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

While happy with the financial success, she highlighted the community dividend.

“The best part of this experience is that it has brought people together, even people who are new to the community. It has been brilliant.

“The fundraiser gave us the opportunity to hold a variety of events for all ages. One of the films we did was ‘Friends’, which was acted by a younger group of locals.

“They were fantastic in the film, and their fundraising efforts have been great and appealed to younger groups. The variety has been great and it shows how many people locally want the community hub,” Ms Clancy highlighted.

The premiere will see 450 people gather in the Castle Arms, with tickets costing €40 a head towards the fundraiser. Locals were so eager to support the event that it sold out in September. There is now a waiting list of 126 people for tickets.

The gala event was preceded recently by some big events including a Fleetwood Mac tribute and a Halloween party for local children. the Timahoe Male Choir also helped by singing with local soloist Aisling Begadon and Vocem Darú Choir at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Durrow.

The groups began their fundraising efforts in May, and have held everything from fun days, table quizzes and auctions.

“We had 126 locals in who got involved in the acting, out of the seven films we did,” Ms Clancy said.

“So many local businesses and community groups have gotten behind us in this.

“There is so much happening in Durrow- the soccer club is fantastic, the Harps are doing brilliantly and the walk through the woods has been great locally.

“Durrow really is a fantastic place to live and has such community spirit. It’s hard for businesses to be sponsoring us too, and yet they do it anyway.

“We are so excited to announce the total raised on the night, we are very transparent with this process,” Ms Clancy finished.

Durrow goes to Hollywood takes place at the Castle Arms on Saturday, November 1.

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