Mixed reaction to Tawnytaskin Junction safety works
There has been mixed reaction to the proposed safety work on at the Tawnytaskin Junction on the N61/N4. (See story on homepage of this website). Cyclists will be delighted at the plans for a cycle lane that will allow them to merge safely on and off to the N4. But unfortunately the danger still exists for cyclists crossing from the Sligo direction onto the N61. Currently many turn right earlier up the road at the ‘Waterfall’ and exit via Boyle Celtic which is safer.
Motorist have voiced concern at the proposal to close the left turning lane on the N4 westbound as one exits from the N4 from Carrick side. This also happened at the Kilbryan junction previously and that also meet with disquiet at the time with the decision still questioned.
Many may not be aware that the grass at this junction has been maintained for years by local man Shane Feely and not by Roscommon Co Co or TII. If it were not for Shane and the Tidy Towns volunteers planting the old boat each year, this junction and others off the N4 would be very overgrown and unsightly.
You can view the plans of the proposed work at the loaction here with submissions or observations in relation to the development to be made on or before June 23rd 2026.
Upcoming Concerts at King House in Boyle
Wednesday June 10th at 2pm – ‘Cultural Companions – Ceol Binn Linn’. Tickets: €5. A musical performance by Ceol Binn Linn, a group of nine musicians from Sligo. Playing Irish music in arrangements influenced by Sean O’Riada, Na Filí and The Chieftains. This includes music by O’Carolan, airs, waltz tunes, the odd jig, hornpipe or reel and recitations of poetry along with one or two songs. King House’s Cultural Companions Programme aims to enhance engagement with the arts among older audiences. Each event provides a unique opportunity for attendees to meet and mingle with fellow arts enthusiasts.
Sunday June 14th at 2pm – ‘From the Danube to the Dodder’: featuring Adrian Mantu (cello), Dermot Dunne (accordion) & Sebastian Tegzesiu (violin). Tickets: €10/€5. A vibrant and emotional musical journey that brings together the passion of tango, the elegance of classical music, and the freedom of contemporary expression.
Bookings via King House Events (call 097 144 4739):
Low visitor numbers recorded at Boyle Abbey
Boyle Abbey opened to the public for the summer season on Friday March 13th and will remain open every day for the next six months. While the Abbey is one of our prime tourist attractions, unfortunately visitor numbers to the heritage site are not what they should, and indeed could be. The most recent figures which were published this week show that Boyle Abbey attracted 9,723 visitors in 2025 an increase of 1366 on the previous year. Compare that to the Rock of Cashel which attracted 377,345 or indeed Sligo Abbey (45,594) and you will see how far off the mark Boyle Abbey is. Indeed, the figures show that of the over 90 heritage sites managed nationwide by the OPW, Boyle Abbey is one of 17 that recorded visitor numbers under 10,000. Joint selling of various local attractions, as initiated by Boyle Town Team some time back, might assist in seeing an increase in visitor numbers at the Abbey, but more needs to be done – and urgently – including enticing and providing facilities for tour buses to include the Boyle attractions on their itinerary and a root and branch look at how Boyle Abbey is marketed and promoted.
Night and Day another great success
There seems to be general consensus that this year’s Night and Day Festival was another great success. Big name acts and an ideal location along with reasonable weather were the ingredients for an enjoyable weekend for those who attended. This website was contacted Friday by some locals who were concerned that pedestrians who were attending the festival were not allowed access from the “first gate” side into the Park. Instead, they were being told to walk to the main entrance off the Carrick Road which was a bit disheartening!
Having the Festival in our Park is a brilliant marketing opportunity for the Park, town and area but does Boyle get much business from the festival and could it benefit more? With dates now announced for the festival next year June 4th-7th (and camping and campervan slots sold out in minutes when released yesterday), perhaps a meeting should now take place with the organisers to see how Boyle can capatalise better from the thousands who will attend next June’s Night and Day festival.
News snippets from around Boyle
Congratulations to Finley Daly, running with Sligo Athletic Club, who had a personal best and set a new club record in the 3K Steeplechase at the British Club Grand Prix at Birmingham University Athletic Track recently…………Boyle Celtic Youth Awards evening takes place in St. Joseph’s Hall on Sunday June 7th at 6pm. Special Guest Conor O’Grady from Sligo Rovers. ………Traditional Music Session in Cleen Hall on Sunday June 7th from 4pm-6pm. All are welcome………Shame on the person(s) who dumped a large number of bags of rubbish last Thursday night/Friday morning on the road to Plunkett Avenue from Termon Road. The illegal dumping was reported to Roscommon Co Co who subsequently cleaned up the area. Hopefully they will get some details in the bags to identify who left them there……….Good luck to Boyle Community Games competitors who are participating in the Field Events County Finals in Castlerea this evening……….Following a query from Boyletoday.com concerning the ongoing work at Boyle Train Station, Irish Rail has responded to say: “The works in Boyle are progressing well and are due to be substantially complete by end of July 2026. We hope to be in a position to open the new footbridge and lifts to the public by late summer/early autumn”………….The Fitt Factory Bootcamp Season has commenced. Bootcamps run over 6 classes for 2 weeks each, with one in June, one in July and one in August. 2 weeks, 6 classes, great results. To book or for more info message Siobhan on 0860878676…………Boyle pianist Lenny Chen will open the Camlin Keys Family Concert in Longford on Saturday June 13th……..Health and happiness to Mary O’Hara who retires from her Abbeytown Shop business today after 12 years and best wishes for the future to the new owners………The Autistic Musician-in-Residence 2026 project, based in King House, Boyle and led by Music Network in partnership with Roscommon County Council was a recent recipient of €10,000 from the Bank of Ireland Community Fund 2026. This innovative project will support and celebrate the creativity of autistic musicians while promoting greater awareness and understanding of neurodiversity. Through workshops, community engagement, and public performances, it aims to create a more inclusive environment while showcasing the talents of neurodiverse artists……….Boyle GAA U15 Feile team will be representing Roscommon at the All Ireland Feile Finals in Derry. To assist with their preparations, they are hosting a fundraising car wash this Saturday June 6th from 10am to 4pm in the Abbey Park. Please come along and support the team………..Cake Sale, Zumba Summer Party and Aladdin Mini Musical all on Saturday June 6th in St. Joseph’s Hall in support of Victoria Walker dancers competing in Dance World Cup……….Sligo County Agricultural Show will hold a Table Quiz in the Mayfly Inn, Ballinafad on Saturday June 6th at 9pm. €40 per table……….Coffee Morning Fundraiser in support of the FTD Brothers in Killaraght Community Centre on Sunday from 10am-2pm
And finally……….!
It’s the year 2030 and the Lord came unto Noah and said:
“Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flash before me.
Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans.”
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, “You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights”.
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard – but no Ark.
“Noah !” he roared. “I’m about to start the rain! Where is the Ark ?”
“Forgive me, Lord,” begged Noah, “but things have changed. ”
“I needed a building permit. I’ve been arguing with the inspector who also said the Ark needs a sprinkler system”.
“My neighbors claim that I’ve violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the zoning board of appeals”.
“Then the Department of Transport demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions to clear the passage for the Ark ‘s move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it”.
“Getting the wood was another problem. There’s a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls – but no go”!
“When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space”.
“Then the EPA ruled I couldn’t build the Ark until they’d conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood”.
“I’m still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I’m supposed to hire for my building crew”.
“And then to make matters worse, Revenue seized all my assets, claiming I’m trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species”.
“So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark.”
Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine and a rainbow stretched across the sky.
Noah looked up in wonder and asked, “You mean you’re not going to destroy the world ?”
“No,” said the Lord. “Modern society beat me to it already.”
