Boyle’s untapped potential is slowly being unleashed
A visitor to our town could be correct in saying that Boyle has so much untapped potential. We have scenery that is as good as you would get anywhere in the country, regular transport links to Dublin and only a half hour drive from Sligo and the Atlantic ocean and tourist attractions that many other towns would be delighted to have in their area. Some will say this potential is not being tapped – but it is, and should a number of current planning applications receive the go ahead – then we are moving in the right direction. Two of the biggest permissions relate to the new Aldi store and the multi million redevelopment of Lough Key Forest Park. The Aldi decision is due by Monday week June 22nd while the Lough Key redevelopment decision is due by Wednesday next June 17th. Plans for the refurbishment of Kingston Hall in Rockingham into a luxury visitor-focused destination with an accommodation offering have yet to be lodged – and will be a game changer when it is – while an eight bedroom hostel planned for the former Post Office in Boyle is gone for further information. In addition seven short term apartments have been granted permission in Bridge Street. Add into the mix the number of high profile buildings and sites in the town centre that have been sold recently with plans for redevelopment along with other commercial premises that are for sale and you will see that the untapped potential that lies here in Boyle is slowly being opened up with massive opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Another call for early morning commuter train to Sligo
For many years now, there have been calls for a commuter train to serve Carrick and Boyle and onto Sligo. The idea was first mooted by Boyle Chamber of Commerce back in the late 1990’s, but at that time, a number of locals were against such a submission, suggesting that a commuter train would bring shoppers out of the town! Times have changed greatly and hopefully that antiquated and parochial mind set is now long gone from our town and the bigger picture is seen as the best way forward.
The call for an early morning train into Sligo was made once again on Monday last when Sligo County Council added it’s voice to the request, following a motion put forward from Cllr Edel McSharry calling for a service to arrive in Sligo no later than 8.30am. Cllr McSharry’s motion also called for cooperation from Roscommon, Leitrim and Longford County Councils to get the plan to become a reality.
This early morning train would be of great benefit to Boyle, making our town an attractive place to live and commute to work in Sligo. It would also be of great benefit to students and those with hospital appointments.
Duck Race on Boyle River this Sunday
Your support is requested for this Sunday’s Boyle Golf Club fundraising Duck Race on the Boyle River commencing at 4pm. The Race will be held between the main bridge in town, to a point between the footbridge and the Pleasure Grounds. There should be a great atmosphere on the day, so please come out and support. There will be a DJ and face painting from 3.15pm. The proceeds of the fundraiser will go towards making the game of golf more accessible to all in the community, including children and people with disabilities.
Indiscriminate dumping around Boyle needs to be stamped out
Indiscriminate dumping is becoming all too common around Boyle these days. During the week on social media, we published a photograph of a household rug and rubbish that was dumped on the Assylinn Road. The pattern and colour of the rug was uncommon and must have been seen by someone in a house somewhere. The previous week, bags of rubbish were dumped on the road to Plunkett Avenue, while refuse sacks with household rubbish are regularly thrown along and in the bins at the Marina and in and around the river at the Woodenbridge. In addition, the placing of household rubbish in the street bins around town is a regular night time occurrence. If we are to put a stop to all this dumping, we need to report those responsible, by taking down the numbers of cars from which the rubbish is dumped or giving the names to the Litter Warden of those who fill our litter bins and don’t pay to have their own rubbish collected. If you see someone littering or dumping then report it to the Environment Section, Roscommon County Council. Telephone Litter Line 1800 588888 or [email protected].
Bathing areas being sought for monitoring
Roscommon County Council is inviting residents to identify official bathing areas in the county so they can be monitored for safety, water quality and their level of use. The Doon Shore and Rockingham would seem like ideal locations for this initiative. According to the local authority: “If you wish to propose a beach/lake/river etc. as a new bathing water site or comment on an existing site please make your submission through this consultation portal – https://consult.roscommoncoco.ie/en/browse”. Closing date for receipt of submissions is Saturday September 26th 2026.
Details announced of this year’s Musical in Boyle
Boyle Musical Society is delighted to announce that it will stage the atmospheric musical fairytale, ‘The Clockmaker’s Daughter’ in November. This brand new spellbinding show is suitable for all the family and it will be staged in St. Joseph’s Hall, Boyle from November 18th to 21st. ‘The Clockmaker’s Daughter’ is set in the fictitious Irish town of Spindlewood in 1895. A master clockmaker, broken by grief, dares to do the unthinkable: building a lifelike clockwork girl to replace the daughter he lost. But what begins as a tribute soon takes on a life of its own… and some creations refuse to stay hidden. Auditions and rehearsals will begin in early September and everybody is welcome to join. For more information on Boyle Musical Society, please follow on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.boylemusicalsociety.com
News snippets from around Boyle
For those with an interest in aviation, keep an eye skyward this weekend as it is believed one or two Canadian Air Force aircraft are due into Knock Airport (perhaps on approach over Boyle) for the visit to Westport of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney……..“Transition to Secondary School” – a two day programme for students transitioning to secondary school, and organised by Boyle Family Resource Centre which will be held in Foroige Building, Boyle on July 8th and 9th is now booked out………..With the school summer holidays nearly here, hopefully the bus parking on Abbey Terrace will once again become available for the tour buses that visit the Abbey……..“From the Danube to the Dodder” – a mixture of tango, classical music and the freedom of contemporary expression in King House on Sunday at 2pm. Tickets available here………Great work by the Tidy Town volunteers again this week cleaning the river walk at the rear of Main Street and the Shilling Hill area along with further shrub plating around town……….Men’s Health Week event at Boyle Family Resource Centre will include a get together and chat on the importance of men’s health and wellbeing. All welcome. Wednesday June 17th at 7pm……..It’s make or break time for Roscommon senior footballers this Sunday as they take on Monaghan in Clones at 4.30pm. For those who can not attend, the game will be streamed on GAA+. Fingers and everything else crossed now…..!
And finally……!
Donald Trump was giving a speech when suddenly a secret service agent screamed “Mickey Mouse!” and tackled someone in the crowd who had a weapon.
Afterward, when the crowd was cleared, and everyone calmed down, Trump approached the secret service agent and expressed thanks that the agent saved his life.
He asked: “But why did you scream Mickey Mouse?”
“Well”, the agent answered, “in the heat of the moment, it came out wrong – what I meant to yell was “Donald Duck!”
