Double celebration in Durrow as minister opens two fantastic amenities

DURROW celebrated two major milestones this week, with the official opening of a community enterprise hub and the launch of family cycle trails.

Minister Dara Calleary did the honours as he opened DARÚ HQ, the new Durrow Community Enterprise Hub in Patrick Street on Wednesday evening.

The rural and community development minister also launched the Durrow Community/Family Cycle Trails, as well as Laois’s first ever County Outdoor Recreation Plan 2026–2030.

DARÚ HQ has transformed the former Methodist Chapel/ICA Hall heritage building and neighbouring Civil Defence site into a modern, multifunctional community and enterprise facility, through sensitive blending of old and new build elements.

The hub provides flexible space for remote working, training, education, meetings, culture, recreation, youth activity, community events and local enterprise.

The project was funded through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and years of Durrow Development Forum (DDF) fundraising, supported by Laois Co Council (LCC) with project management expertise from its town regeneration section.

On a landmark day for both town and county, cathaoirleach Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said: “Today is a proud day for Laois, as we welcome Minister Calleary to tour and officially open the Community Cycle Trails and DARÚ HQ. Both projects will support recreation and enterprise in our county.” 

Minister Calleary described DARÚ HQ as “a transformative space” that brought new life to a local landmark, maintaining its heritage while delivering facilities for the modern workforce and community.

Describing the development as “a gamechanger” for Durrow, LCC director of services Angela McEvoy commented: “Projects like DARÚ HQ are vital in supporting remote working, local enterprise and opportunities for people to work closer to home. It reduces the reliance on the car and thereby emissions, it gives people back their time and thereby an improved work life balance.” 

She added: “Events like today don’t happen without support from the local community. Alongside our LCC regeneration team, DDF has shown huge dedication and commitment to sustaining Durrow as a vibrant, inclusive, resilient rural town. The result is a hub that provides essential infrastructure for community life, local enterprise and cultural activity.” 

There was a warm round of applause as DDF chairperson Evelyn Clancy declared: “We are both delighted and proud to see the opening of our new community hub, DARÚ HQ. This project has taken many years of dedicated hard work from the DDF committee members and our local community in Durrow, who have constantly supported us. A huge thank you to everyone involved.” 

 Ms Clancy paid special tribute to the Tomar Trust, Tony Woods and the many local businesses that made significant contributions to fundraising efforts.

She said: “We look forward to seeing DARÚ HQ become an essential and vibrant part of community life here in Durrow, both from the potential commercial perspective and, most importantly, as a major centre for a wide range of community activities, that will not only benefit us today but for generations to come.” 

The Durrow Community/Family Cycle Trails was funded by the Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Fund, with match funding from LCC. The trails are delivered in partnership with the volunteer-led community group Pedal Vintage Durrow, which is dedicated to promoting cycling, heritage, tourism and community wellbeing. Through its community bike hire scheme and guided heritage cycling tours, the group encourages people of all ages to explore the local countryside, learn about the area's rich history and enjoy sustainable outdoor recreation.

The group also organises community cycling events, cultural activities and projects that support active travel and enhance Durrow as a visitor destination.

Matt Doyle of Pedal Vintage Durrow told the gathering: “Welcome to my playground. Dunmore Wood was my playground as a child, along with my brothers and sisters and neighbouring families. We spent a lot of our time running, climbing and fishing in our paradise.

“Today, we have to remember Hughie Sheppard and Noel Mooney as we celebrate the opening of the trails. Their vision and determination have made the woods even more accessible now. It is a playground for everyone.” 

The launch was fittingly held on the first day of European Mobility Week, which runs from 16 to 22 September and promotes accessible and sustainable transport for all.

The 10km of trails in Durrow, which consist of the Dunmore and Capponellan trails, have been updated to ensure they cater for all levels of mobility.

Commending Pedal Vintage Durrow for their dedication and commitment to the project, in collaboration with the council, LCC director of services Simon Walton said: “We are very proud of the variety and number of fantastic trails across Laois for residents and visitors to enjoy. The Durrow Community and Family Trails are an excellent addition to this range. We look forward to continued and expanding use of these trails in the years to come.” 

Meanwhile, the event also saw the launch of a pioneering outdoor recreation plan for the county, which was developed by LCC in partnership with multiple outdoor recreation stakeholders, with extensive public consultation.

Minister Calleary said: “Laois is a county with enormous outdoor recreation potential. From the Slieve Bloom Mountains, forests and peatlands to its rich network of walking and cycling routes, Laois provides excellent opportunities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the outdoors. This plan will help build on these strengths in a sustainable way, making outdoor recreation more accessible.” 

LCC Sport and Recreation Officer Ann Marie Maher said she was “thrilled” to see the plan launched, adding: “This plan recognises the importance of sustainability, balancing recreation with conservation so that Laois’s rich biodiversity and heritage are protected.

“There is already a well-established range of outdoor activities in Laois including walking, hiking and mountain biking, as well as various water-based activities such as fishing and paddle sports.

“The plan will ensure we continue to build on this, providing a strategic approach to investment, infrastructure and inclusive access, while ensuring that our landscapes and waterscapes continue to be safeguarded and enjoyed for generations to come.”