Reason given for delay in Aldi decision
One of a few major talking points around town at present is when the decision will be made by An Coimisiun Pleanala (ACP) to grant permission or not to Aldi for their proposed new store on St. Patrick Street in Boyle. Last Tuesday was the date given for a decision by ACP but according to the Board this has been extended “because a notice was issued to all parties under Section 137 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). The last date for a response to this was August 10th. Further consideration of the case is required so we do not have a due date for a decision at the moment”.
Separately, while emotions are running high in Boyle in relation to the project, and one can understand the frustration with the appeal, some of the commentary on social media relating to the process and those involved is derogatory and divisive and in some instances, totally incorrect. No-one can do anything at present to influence the decision of ABP and we just have to wait and hope the project gets the green light and that any conditions attached to the grant are acceptable to the Aldi – whom you have to remember, also appealed to ACP some of the conditions attached by Roscommon Co Co in the origional grant of planning.
Boyle man to represent Ireland at European Championships
What a great achievement by Boyle rower Thomas Sheridan who has been selected to represent Ireland at the prestigious European Rowing Championships in Spain on September 16th and 17th competing in the Senior Mixed 2x. No stranger to representing his country, Thomas was previously selected to represent Ireland at the World Beach Sprint Rowing Championships in Turkey that took place last November.
Thomas’ Sligo Rowing club colleague Adam Foley has also been selected to compete internationally at the Coupe de la Jeunesse in Portugal. Even thought Thomas and Adam are representing their country, they still have to raise funds to cover the costs associated with the competitions and to assist, a GoFundMe page has been set up to which you can donate here.
Christmas comes early for Boyle
They say Christmas seems to come earlier every year and if you were in Boyle the last two Thursday evenings you may have thought that was true! The local Christmas Lights committee have been around town availing of the brighter and warmer evenings to carry out essential checks, repairs and upgrades to the power point infrastructure throughout the town so everything is ready when for erecting the lights in late November. It is great to know that we hopefully will have lights again this year, thanks to the hard working volunteers who organise the project. But it won’t happen unless the funds are raised and in this regard, the committee have also launched this year’s GoFundMe page where you can now donate (here) to ensure Boyle looks it’s best this Christmas. Every donation, no matter how big or small, helps get one step closer to lighting up the town. Your support will help create a Christmas atmosphere that brings joy to residents, visitors, families and local businesses alike.
Heritage Weeks draws to a close
The last few events in Boyle to celebrate Heritage Week will take place today Friday and tomorrow Saturday. On Friday 21st from 11am – 3pm, The Big Dig with the School of Irish Archaeology will take place in the Courtyard at King House. This replica ‘Viking House’ workshop and excavation is designed around children from 6 – 12 years of age. From 12noon – 1pm – Roscommon’s Forgotten Heroes – A talk by Danny Tiernan takes place in Úna Bhán Tourism Co-operative. The talk will explore the lives and stories of men and women from County Roscommon whose contributions and sacrifices during times of war have often been overlooked. From 8pm-9.15pm – “Is Our Heritage at Risk”? with Laura Burke will discuss the impact of AI and technology for information gathering in Ardcarne Church of Ireland. Finally on Saturday 22nd from 2pm- 3.30pm “Patronage and its Influence on Connacht’s Stonemasonry in the 12th & 13th Centuries” will be the subject of a lecture in the majestic setting of Boyle Abbey which will serve as the focal point of a lecture on patronage and its impact on the work of stonemasons in medieval Connaught delivered by Gary Dempsey, co-founder and creative director of Digital Heritage Age and lecturer at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) – Galway City.
News snippets from around Boyle
There will be a special coffee morning to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day with the Ukrainian community here in Boyle in the Family Resource Centre on Monday August 24th from 12 noon -2pm. This is a great opportunity to come together, meet others, enjoy some traditional refreshments and learn more about the Ukrainian traditions, culture and heritage. All welcome……………Boyle Celtic FC will hold a brief information event for all Youths and Adults coaches for the coming season on Sunday evening 23rd at 7pm in Celtic Park. It’s important that as many coaches are in attendance and all teams are represented…………Full steam ahead now for the annual Lough Key Triathlon which takes place on Sunday week August 30th in Boyle’s Lough Key Forest Park. Further details on Boyletoday.com next week……….What a great idea by Una Bhan to organise weekly Walking Tours of Boyle every Friday for August and September. The next tour takes place today (Friday) from the Craft Shop in the grounds of King house at 2pm…….Congratulations to Boyle’s Saoirse Wynne on being named as the PWC GPA Footballer of the month for August………..As if it was not hard enough to get through Cortober/ Carrick on a normal day, now motorists travelling from Boyle have to add in road works just past the Golf Club on the N4 that are causing long delays also……..Best of luck to all students getting their Leaving Certificate results today and a timely piece of advice from the National Ambulance Service: “We’re appealing to parents to talk to your child about being sensible when it comes to alcohol, drugs and going out to celebrate the Leaving Cert results. While we want everyone to enjoy themselves and the celebrations, it’s important to be safe – make sure they’ve made a plan for getting home, that they know to never drive under the influence, to stay with their friends while out and to call 999 in an emergency, no matter what has happened”.
And finally…..!
A man failed his written driving test four times.
On his fifth attempt, he was determined to pass.
But the test contained the same question:
“You are driving at 60kph. On your right is a wall, and on your left is a cliff. On the road ahead, you see an old man and a young man. What do you hit?”
The man walked up to the examiner and said, “I’ve answered this question four different ways: the wall, the cliff, the old man and the young man. And I failed every time! How is that possible? What am I supposed to hit?”
The examiner replied:
“The brakes!”
