Funding awarded to a number of Boyle clubs and organisations
A number of Boyle clubs and organisations have been successful in obtaining funding under the Local Enhancement Programme 2026 which was announced yesterday. Boyle Athletic Club (€1,550), Boyle Bridge Club (€974), Boyle Defibrillator Group (€1,250), Boyle Film Club (€1,500), Boyle GAA Club (€1,000), Boyle Indoor Bowling Club (€1,000), Boyle Parish Church of Ireland (€1,050), Boyle Tidy Towns (1,850) and Una Bhan Tourism Co – Operative (€3,300). The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides capital supports essential for many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas.
Concern grows at lack of verge cutting
Last week’s statement from Roscommon Co Co in relation to verge cutting and maintenance of roads was interesting in that other local authorities seemed to issue a similar type statement around the same time. All the statements said the same thing and must surely have been issued in response to the general anger of the public at the overgrown state of grass verges and hedges around the countryside. On the popular local walking route around Abbeytown/Maple Drive/Carrick Road, the grass and hedges are taking over the footpaths in some parts with briars dangerously sticking out on to the pathway.
The last line of the local authority statement says: “Members of the public are encouraged to report any particularly hazardous locations, especially where visibility is significantly impaired, to their local Municipal District Office so that the issue can be assessed and prioritised as part of the ongoing roads programme”. Perhaps the numerous paths and junctions around Boyle that are impacted by the perceived reduction in cutting, should be reported to the area office.
Update on N4 upgrade
For those who regularly travel on the N4 to or from Dublin, a real slow stretch can be the section between Longford and Mullingar – especially if you get behind a slow car, tractor or truck. Plans are underway for an upgrade of this section of the road but like most pieces of infrastructure nationwide – it’s progress can be painfully slow. This week Longford County Council gave an update on the project: “Following the publication of the Preferred Option in 2025, the project has progressed to Phase 3: Design and Environmental Evaluation, with ongoing engineering, environmental and technical surveys helping to inform the emerging design. Over the coming weeks, the Project Team will engage directly with landowners impacted by the emerging design to discuss proposals, potential impacts and gather valuable feedback. Wider public information events are planned for later this summer, providing an opportunity for communities and stakeholders to learn more about the project, view the latest information and engage with the Project Team. The project aims to improve road safety, enhance connectivity and accessibility, support sustainable transport, encourage regional economic growth and improve quality of life for communities along the route”.
No further plans at present to develop a local Sport Centre
Plans that were developed back in 2023 to turn a portion of the Termon Lands in Boyle into a Sports Centre are understood to be on hold at present. For the development to become a reality, it would have needed the backing of Roscommon Co Co but they are understood to be committed to the €20m iRos Sports facility in Roscommon town that was approved this week by Roscommon MD. For the Boyle project, an ambitious plan was drawn up at the time and a feasibility study undertaken for a major development on the Termon Lands. It was to include GAA/Soccer pitches, Running Track, Multipurpose Indoor Sports Hall, Tennis Court, Handball Alley, Bowls Area, Basketball Court/MUGA Area, Children’s Playground, Looped Trails around the Lands, Fishing, Kayaking and Swimming areas, Sensory Park, Changing Rooms and Parking. While there are no plans to progress the development at this time, that is not to say it can not be moved forward when appropriate funding and support becomes available.
Investment urgently needed in rail service
This blog regularly highlights the problems rail users face with delays on the Dublin Sligo rail line that serves Boyle. Indeed, the delays are not just on this line and if you follow Iarnrod Eireann on ‘X’ you will see daily delays, cancellations and problems all over the country that are leaving people feeling they can no longer trust our national rail service as a reliable mode of transport. It would seem further investment is urgently needed to get the infrastructure up to an acceptable standard and avoid the constant ‘technical, operational mechanical issues’ ‘reduced capacity’ or ‘signalling fault’ that are given as reasons for the delays. On Tuesday the Sligo Dublin train was delayed in Enfield due to a problem with a door. On Sunday, the delays were due to a ‘technical issue’. Commuters should make our elected representatives aware of their frustration with what’s happening with our rail service.
News snippets from around Boyle
Traditional Music Sessiun in Cleen Hall on Sunday July 5th from 4pm-6pm. All welcome………Congratulations to all from Boyle who are involved with the Roscommon Ladies Football team on their great win against Leitrim last Sunday and who now go on to face Westmeath in the All Ireland IFC semi final on Sunday July 12th………It is great to see scenes from around Boyle featuring on the popular TG4 programme ‘Moving West’. Viewers will recall film crews from the programme visited Boyle a while back where they met with local people who had made Boyle their home and also visited the Spool Factory Co Working Hub. Clips from that trip to Boyle still feature on the opening scenes………..Special community gathering in Arigna Community Park this evening Friday 3rd where “a tribute” will be unveiled to ‘Rossie to Aussie’ Fergal Guihen………. Look out for the Boyle Arts Festival 2026 printed programme, available from today Friday, packed with everything you need to plan your festival schedule. Inside you’ll find the full details of concerts, exhibitions, theatre, talks, workshops, family events and much more taking place from 16th – 25th July……….After some unavoidable delays, it is great to see work recommenced on The Lawn regeneration. It will be well worth the wait when completed………Cloonloo Development Quiz Night in O’Dowd’s Lake View Bar, Monasteraden tonight Friday 3rd at 9pm. €40 per table of 4. All proceeds to Cloonloo development for the upkeep of local amenities……….Good luck to Boyle GAA Senior Men who play the Division 1 League Final against St Brigids in the Abbey Park on Saturday at 7pm……..Work has commenced at the Plunkett Home in Boyle on the construction of a new Electrical Substation, Plantroom Extension to Block C and Compound including all necessary underground ducting, cable connections, switchgear housing, boundary treatments, site development works and all ancillary infrastructure works to support the facility’s energy infrastructure………..If you noticed that Military Road seemed a lot cleaner and weed free, you can thank the Wednesday morning Tidy Town crew who worked their magic on this area during the week.
And finally…!
One day a farmer decided that he wanted to expand his chicken farm.
In order to do this he needed a stud rooster.
He asked around his fellow farmers and the general consensus was that the best rooster was from a far away town. His name was Randy.
The farmer went to this far away town and met with Randy’s owner.
The owner confirmed that Randy was indeed the best, but would come at an expensive price.
After much deliberation, the farmer decided to invest in Randy.
When the farmer got home, he sat down with Randy and explained what he needed and told him that while he expected Randy to perform, he also expected Randy to pace himself.
The farmer released Randy in the hen house and Randy went wild.
Feathers where flying and Randy was servicing every hen in the house.
The farmer reiterated to Randy the necessity of pace.
The next day, Randy not only went flying through the hen house, but also went after the dog, the cat, the sheep, a fox and several other accessible animals.
The farmer was outraged. “Randy” he said, “You can’t possibly last at this pace.” “Slow down, I need you for a long time.”
Well, the next day, the inevitable seemed to happen.
Randy was lying in the field looking like death was soon coming.
Buzzards were circling around and slowly getting closer.
The farmer watched his dying investment and then went up to Randy and said “How could you? I asked you to pace yourself and now you’re a spent force.”
Slowly, Randy opened one eye and pointed to the sky saying “Shh… they’re getting closer.”
