‘One of the last towns where you can do that’
Last Saturday morning a local person told the story of being stopped on the Crescent by two visiting ladies who were enquiring what the situation was in relation to parking in Boyle and in particular “Where are the meters”. The person informed them that there was free parking in Boyle and they enquired if that was only on the street and did it cover the car parks? They were visually shocked when they heard you can park anywhere in Boyle for free and commented that “it must be one of the last towns in Ireland where you can do that”. They went off smiling!
Free parking is such a bonus to us here in Boyle and is something retailers and businesses should be advertising on their websites and social media posts as another tool to attract customers in to their premises.
Digital event listing needed for Boyle
We mentioned here before about the benefits to Boyle if we made the town a ‘smart town’, encompassing digital and real time technology. One project that could be set up quite easily and would be of immense benefit is a digital event guide. There are so many events taking place every week here in Boyle but not everyone knows about them. If the digital screens that were recently installed around town flashed the monthly event guide it would give locals and visitors information on all that is happening. Likewise a single “What’s on in Boyle” web page could be linked back to local business websites which would also inform the local people and visitor alike.
How old is ‘age friendly’
The above is a question many have asked in Boyle this week since ‘Age Friendly’ car parking spaces were marked out around the town. According to Age Friendly Ireland “These spaces are courtesy spaces and it is hoped that motorists will enter into the spirit of this initiative and leave them free for older persons (over 55) who need them.” There are plenty of able bodied people in Boyle over 55 who do not need a designated parking space so common sense should prevail – if there is such a thing when it comes to parking in Boyle.
In the newly surfaced and lined out An Rioga car park there are now four disabled parking bays, two EV parking bays and and two Age Friendly bays. If you see these spaces being abused, do not have any hesitation in reminding the offending motorists of exactly what the parking bays are for.
Night and Day only weeks away
The next major event in Boyle will be the Night and Day Festival which takes place on the weekend of June 27th-29th. The Festival got a mention on rte.ie during the week when it was listed as one of the ‘Top music festivals and gigs in Ireland in Summer 2025’ describing it as “a family-friendly event in a stunning lakeside setting, offering music, arts and wellness activities. The 150-foot Sol Stage, located atop Moylurg Tower, is a highlight”. Tickets are selling fast for the 3 Day Festival which is getting bigger and better each year. More details here.
A proud day during Ministerial visit
On what was another day in which to feel proud of our town of Boyle, yesterday (Thursday) saw Minister Dara Calleary and representatives from his department along with Councillors, Oireachtas and Town Team members, visit a number of projects in Boyle that were grant aided under funds administered by the Minister’s department. On a walk about of the town, Minister Calleary made known his amazement at the positive changes that have, and are, taking place in Boyle. He praised the Town Team and Council for working closely together encouragingly adding “there are a lot more chapters to be written in the book of Boyle”. Roscommon Co Co CEO Shane Tiernan also thanked the Town Team and people of Boyle for working with the local authority in getting the various €16m worth of projects complete. He revealed that the contract for the construction of the new library is “about to be awarded” with work to commence in next few weeks and an early 2027 opening. The CEO also added that along with Deputy Feighan and others they are “conscious of the need for a hotel and it is something we are working on”. Town Team Chairman Ciaran Sheerin also address the gathering thanking the Minister and his department and Roscommon Co Co along with the Team and members of the public for all they do to develop Boyle.
Men’s Health Week in Boyle
Boyle Family Resource Centre will celebrate ‘Men’s Health Week’ next Friday June 13th commencing at 12.45pm and concluding at 3.15pm with a series of talks and health check’s. Well known local estate agent and Roscommon U-20 football manager Cian Smith will be guest speaker and a nurse from CROI will also be in attendance conducting health screening. This is a free event and all are welcome to attend with no registration needed. Men’s Health Week aims to raise awareness of preventable health problems for males, support men and boys in adopting healthier lifestyles and encourage early detection and treatment of health issues. The theme for 2025 is “Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Connecting for Health”.
News snippets from around Boyle
Ballinameen N.S. free Family Fun Day this Saturday June 7th from 12 noon to 3pm. Mobile pet farm, ice cream van, sports and games, face painting and many more fun events…………Following a large amount of representation last year, the briars and weeds on the Carrick Road/Maple Drive/Abbeytown footpath were finally cut back. In now looks like the same representations will have to happen again this year as the foliage is once again causing an obstruction to pedestrians. Likewise the beech hedge on the left as one goes past the First Gate of Rockingham is totally overgrown and is now a traffic hazard………..Today Friday June 6th is ‘Grandparents Day’ in Corrigeenroe N.S. 6th class will also hold their annual bake sale. Mass will be celebrated at 11am followed by refreshments in the school…….What would we do without the local Tidy Town volunteers? On Wednesday morning last they did brilliant work at Christ the King junction and along Military Road – picking litter and weeds from the roadside and along by perimeter walls…….Boyletoday.com contacted Barna Recycling on Wednesday for a statement as to why refuse was not collected around Boyle on Tuesday morning and got a response saying: “We are currently experiencing an unprecedented level of queries and we are processing these to the best of our ability. Every contact is important to us, and we appreciate your patience. Please note, it may take 5-7 Working Days to respond to your query”. Thankfully the bins were collected before then!……..Well done to the emergency services who quickly responded to the ‘Major Incident’ in Grangemore on Wednesday last. Thankfully there were no fatalities or major injuries but it is devastating for all those involved including the home owners who are well known and respected locally………Hospice Sunflower Day collection in Boyle on Friday and Saturday from 10am ………The newly resurfaced and lined out An Rioga car park is really complimented by the repainting of the Boyle Tyre Centre/Corrib Oil/Motor Works building………Blood Donation Clinic in St.. Joseph’s Hall on Sunday June 8th between 12 noon and 3pm…..Boyle Film Club free DVD pick or swap in Boyle Library on Saturday June 7th from 2.30pm……Well done to the various schools in the area who won Cumann na mBunscoil finals this week…….With the new Multi Use Games Area now one week opened, the main problem seems to be litter. On Wednesday evening, a civic minded person took 3 bags of empty energy drinks and sweet wrappers and mineral cans out of the new facility. Perhaps parents could ask their children to please bring their rubbish home or put it in litter bins after using the MUGA…….Lots to do in Boyle tomorrow Saturday for Cruinniu na nOg. Check out the full programme for the county here.
And finally…..!
Murphy travelled to the wilds of the Yukon.
His guide warned, “Always remember that the deadliest creature in these parts is the Grizzly Bear. Nothing in the world can outrun a hungry Grizzly!”
“Right, I’ll remember that,” replied Murphy.
“Don’t you worry.”
For days on end the two hiked towards the distant trading post until one morning they woke to an almighty roar.
“Say your prayers,” screamed the guide.
“It’s a Grizzly!” “I hear it,” answered Murphy as he was pulling on a pair of running shoes.
“Forget the shoes,” cried the guide.
“You can’t outrun a hungry Grizzly.”
“True,” replied Murphy, “but I can outrun you.”
