Additional funding for Carrick to Lough Key Greenway
There did not seem to be that high a level of excitement on Monday last at the news that the Carrick to Lough Key Greenway is to receive an additional €500,000. Maybe it is because we guard Lough Key Forest Park closely here in Boyle as “our park” and there is concern that with the new Greenway, it could be “lost” to Leitrim especially when some in our neighbouring county already refer to the Park from a marketing perspective as “Lough Key Forest Park, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim”. But the awarding of half a million euros towards the project should be welcomed, as the Greenway will not only link Carrick to the Park but will also hopefully provide an upgrade to the existing Lough Key to Boyle cycleway which will be of immense importance when the Lough Key Masterplan becomes a reality. Right now, civic bodies in Boyle should be looking at additional ways of linking the Park to Boyle town ahead of it’s major redevelopment. On top of the cycleway, this could include bike hire, shuttle buses and perhaps even a road train on wheels which would be a novel mode of transport to Boyle.
Major appointment for Boyle native
Congratulations to Boyle and St. Patrick Street native James Clarke who has been appointed General Manager of the London Hilton on Park Lane. James, who is highly regarded in the hospitality business in the UK and indeed worldwide, spent the last two and a half years as GM at the Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge. Commenting on his appointment James said: “Hotelkeeping is all about creating unforgettable experiences for our guests, team members and local communities. I look forward to working with an exceptional team to deliver world-class service in one of London’s most prestigious locations”.
New footbridge put in place at Boyle Train Station
The 38 tonne footbridge at Boyle Train Station was lifted into place shortly after 11pm last night. Heavy machinery arrived on site earlier in the evening but the crew had to wait until the Dublin Sligo train had passed through Boyle and arrived in Sligo before the lifting commenced and when it did, the massive structure took ten minutes to be put in place. Like the signal room, the old footbridge which is part of the fabric of the station for generations, has remained in it’s origional place.
The multi million euro upgrade work at the station includes the provision of the new footbridge over the railway, which will feature two 13 person lifts, remedial works to platform 1 & 2, redesign and marking of existing accessible car parking spaces adjacent to the station building, upgrade of station lighting adjacent to the station building and new footbridge, improvements to accessible wayfinding signage and installation of tactile signage; including a tactile map at the station entrance, provision of help points and induction loops, connecting to the existing public address system and significant upgrade to the toilet facilities.
No date for Library reopening
Once King House reopened following a recent ‘oil spill’, many assumed Boyle Library would follow suit, but unfortunately that has not been the case. Boyletoday.com recently contacted Roscommon Library Service for an update on the situation and received the following reply on Tuesday last: “Boyle Library remains closed while remediation works at King House are ongoing. In the interim, to ensure continuity of service provision, the Council’s mobile library is providing services in Boyle on Mondays and Tuesdays from 11am to 3pm, excluding Bank Holidays. In addition to this, the mobile library will visit Boyle on Saturday 24th January from 11am – 3pm”. Viewers will recall King House and the Library closed last November with the local authority saying at the time: “Roscommon County Council continue to work with An Garda Siochana and specialist environmental contractors in relation to the spill of kerosene at King House. We here in King House are particularly grateful for the generous support and goodwill shown to us by the local community in recent days”.
Darkness into Light returns to Boyle this year
After a break of one year, the Darkness into Light walk is back again in Boyle this May. According to the organisers: We’re delighted to announce that Darkness Into Light is returning to Boyle in 2026, following a one-year break. This is more than a walk – it’s a powerful show of community, hope, remembrance, and support. As dawn breaks, Boyle will once again come together to stand in solidarity with those affected by suicide and self-harm, and to support the vital work of Pieta. After a year’s pause, we’re proud to bring this meaningful event back to our town and look forward to seeing familiar faces and new ones walking side by side. More details will follow in the coming months – for now, save the year, spread the word and let’s make 2026 a special return for Boyle”.
News snippets from around Boyle
Free one hour workshop this evening at 7pm in Boyle GAA Clubrooms with Paramedic Patrick McGreevy who is certified through the GAA to give concussion talks. This talk is open to all codes. Places are free but to give us an idea of numbers, please register with Club Secretary Amy O’Connor 0861642530……….Boyle Family Resource is commissioning a new wall mural to brighten up outside the centre. Anyone interested in helping out with the mural is invited a “Community Mural Consultation Evening” on Tuesday 27th January at 7pm, facilitated by the talented artist Nickie Harrington. This is a fantastic opportunity to share your ideas, get involved in the creative process, and help shape a vibrant artwork that reflects our community……..Congratulations to local man Brian Egan who recently won bronze in the Jiu Jitsu European Championship………Roscommon County Council has advertised a tender for the appointment of an Engineering Consultant for the demolition of a dangerous structure at Riverview, Quarry Lane in Boyle. The estimated value of the 12 month contract is €75,000……….The annual general meeting of Boyle Town Team will take place on Thursday February 12th at 7pm in King House……..Corrigeenroe N.S. are holding an Open Afternoon on Friday February 13th from 1pm-3pm for children who are starting school in September 2026. Enrolment forms will be available on the day………Boyle LGFA invites all their supporters to join them on Saturday night in Boyle Golf Club to celebrate history being made in the club – winning league and championship at every adult grade, with the senior league title in 2025 completing the lot. Refreshments and music on the night from 8pm. All welcome with entry €5……….The solar lights are now in place on the cycleway from outside the housing estate at the Wooden Bridge to the canal. The lights were funded by Boyle Town Team with the poles erected by Roscommon Co Co and the lights mounted free of charge by Connolly Electrical. They should be a great addition for night time walkers on this popular circuit……..Boyle’s Lough Key Forest Park will host the 2nd edition of the Moylurg Open Cross Country by Tribal Running in aid of GOAL this Sunday 25th of January, first race at 12 noon. Online entry is at eire.entry4sports.com/moylurgopenxc. There will be limited entry on the day from 11am. The organisers have a Boyle connection as Seán McDermott jnr is the son of Seán McDermott Snr (92) formerly of Knockarush Boyle, who settled in Galway but always maintained strong links with Boyle where the family still holiday and have a house in Knockarush.
And finally…..!
Mickie is on ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ and he is doing very well.
He is at the final question for a million pounds with Chris Tarrant.
He has only one life line left….phone a friend.
The question comes: “Which bird does not make a nest?,:
A) a Sparrow, B) a Swallow, C) a Blackbird or D) a Cuckoo
Mickie has no idea so he calls his friend John.
John answers ‘I know that one – it’s a cuckoo -100%.’
Mickie wins the million pounds and is very happy man.
Afterward Mickie rings John and asks him ‘You seemed very confident with that answer – how were you so sure”?
John replies: “Mickie, Are you thick, sure everyone knows a cuckoo lives in a clock.”
