Period for observations on Aldi observations has now passed
The four week period in which to lodge observations in relation to the appeal by Offaly man Brian O’Sullivan to Aldi’s development on St. Patrick Street has now passed. A look at the case file with An Comisiun Pleanala does not, as yet, give details of any observations received in relation to the development, but it is known that Boyle Town Team has made a detailed observation on the submission, requesting An Comisiun to dismiss the appeal on a number of grounds. Hopefully others have made similar observations and that An Comisiun Pleanala will dismiss accordingly. If not, it could be June before we know the final decision on the development which the large majority of Boyle are in favour of.
Boyle parade deemed a great success
Despite the inclement weather, a large number of people braved the elements and headed into Boyle for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Tuesday last. The organisers, who deserve great credit, must have had the Child of Prague under the reviewing stand hoping for the rain the stop – and it did – just in time for the parade to move off from Mockmoyne. As soon as the sound of the Garda car’s siren was heard more spectators ventured out of the various bars around town to add to the families who had taken up strategic vantage points on the streets earlier in the day. There were around 25 groups, organisations and floats participating and as expected, one float – and the one that claimed the overall prize, referred to the local hot topic of the moment – the objection to Aldi with Boyle Golf Club’s “You can’t play anything in this OFFALY bad weather”. The parade was a great family and community day out with all credit going to the organisers who put in many long hours in preparation for the successful event.
Volunteers required to train in CPR and Defib use
Well done to the Boyle Defibrillator Group who have secured seven new defibs for the Boyle area which will soon be positioned in key locations around town. In particular, it is good to see two of the devices going to the popular Carrick Road, Maple Drive, Abbeytown walking route. When all are in place and when a number of first responders are trained in their use along with CPR, it would be great to have a list drawn up of all defibrillators in Boyle, their location and the names and numbers of the local first responders. This list should be readily available and visible in key locations around town.
Concern at view of Gaelic Chieftain being blocked
A viewer has brought the following to our attention: “I would like to bring something to the public’s attention and it’s something that’s getting close to the point of no return. The bank along the N4 in front of the Gaelic Chieftain and horseman is becoming totally overgrown. The bank should be maintained free of scrub growth, which is starting to block the view of the wonderful sculpture, which has been described as the best roadside sculptures in the country. Could you raise the issue on Boyletoday.com with a view to having the bank mulched and re-seeded with wildflowers and maybe a few specimen trees here and there. This work could commence in early September, after nesting season has finished”.
Will Council’s visit to New York benefit Boyle?
Let’s hope Boyle is one of the town’s in County Roscommon that benefits from last week’s visit to the U.S. by a delegation from Roscommon Co Co. During their visit, representatives from the county met with Joshua Healy, VP Emerging Business and Will Molanco of IDA Ireland as well as Kevin Ryan, Head US East Coast operations for Enterprise Ireland. The group also met with David Wood, Brittany Gallagher and Jack Foley of Tourism Ireland. Throughout their visit, the representatives from RCC say the potential of Roscommon for key inward investment was made.
Thankfully, we no longer have the hand out in Boyle as was the case for countless generations “calling on the Government to locate a factory in Boyle”. That day is gone, but what we do need is an investor who may look at some form of town centre accommodation/hotel which the local authority is well aware of. Hopefully they used their time in the Big Apple to press for this type of investment for our town
News snippets from around Boyle
County Leitrim Percy French Society present “Remember Me Is All I Ask” in Tawnytaskin Community Centre on Sunday March 22nd at 3pm. Tickets are priced €15……….Celebration of Eid Mubarak (The end of Ramadan) in Boyle Family Resource Centre today Friday March 20th from 11am-1pm. All are welcome. Traditional Refreshments served…….Well done to Boyle man Cathal Feely who was a member of Creggs RFC that won the Connacht Junior League in Dexcom Stadium on Sunday, beating Dunmore 11-05……..Paddy Casey Live at King House on Saturday March 28th at 8.00pm. Tickets €30 plus booking fee……… Applications are now open to volunteer at this year’s Night and Day Festival. See more here……….Unfortunately there were not that many places open in Boyle for Donegal supporters to get food last Sunday as they went to and came home from the game in Hyde Park. It was an ideal opportunity for restaurants in Boyle who would have done a roaring trade if they marketed their opening and offers to the supporters in advance of the match……..If you were a foreign tourist visiting Boyle for St. Patrick’s Day you could be forgiven for thinking we had painted the electricity poles green for the festivities. But of course it is not paint, but algae that has the poles so green. Pressure should be brought on the company responsible for maintaining the poles to clean and repaint them this spring……… Registration for Lough Key/Doon Shore Open Water 2026 takes place on Wednesday March 25th is St. Joseph’s Resource Centre from 7-7.30pm. Classes will run every Tuesday from May 5th and will only go ahead if 15 or more register on the night. Please all arrive at 7pm as no payments will be taken until there are sufficient numbers…..The only downside, apart from the weather, for anyone taking photographs at last Tuesday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade was trying to get a back drop building that did not detract from the colour of the parade. Unfortunately so many of our town center buildings, occupied and unoccupied, are covered in algae and badly in need of a lick of paint. Let’s hope property owners have plans to give their premises an upgrade this spring………Croghan N.S. Parents Association A.G.M. on Monday March 23rd at 8pm in the National School…..Irish Blood Transfusion Donor Clinic in St. Joseph’s Hall on Sunday March 22nd.
And finally….!
Two brothers inherit the family farm.
Unfortunately, after just a few years, they are in financial trouble.
In order to keep the bank from repossessing the farm, they need to purchase a bull from the mart in another town so that they can breed their own stock.
They only have €600 left.
Upon leaving, the brother said to his sibling, “When I get there, if I decide to buy the bull, I’ll contact you to drive out after me and bring it home.”
He arrives at the mart, inspects the bull, and decides he wants to buy it. The man tells him that he will sell it for €599, no less.
After paying him, he drives to the nearest town to send his brother a telegram to tell him the good news.
He walks into the telegraph office and says, “I want to send a telegram to my brother telling him that I’ve bought the bull for our farm”.
“I need him to hitch the trailer to our pickup truck and drive out here so we can bring it home.”
The telegraph operator explains that he’ll be glad to help him, then adds, “It’s 99 cents a word.”
Well, after paying for the bull, the man has only €1 left.
He realises that he’ll only be able to send his brother one word.
After a few minutes of thinking, he nods and says, “I want you to send him one word: Comfortable.”
The operator shakes his head. “How is he ever going to know that you want him to hitch the trailer to your pickup truck and drive out here to haul that bull back to your farm if you send him just the word ‘Comfortable’?”
The brother explains, “Ah, he’s a bit slow and that word is big. He’ll read it very slowly … com-for-da-bull.”
