Transport Plan Report is a very interesting document
The draft Boyle Local Transport Plan as outlined in our news story on Tuesday last is a very interesting report and if a number of the suggestions contained in it become a reality, then they will represent a major improvement in how our town operates in the future. Of course, there are some suggestions that will meet with disapproval but how we move is changing and they should be looked at with forward vision and building on the future – not looking at the past.
The key purpose of the LTP is to guide how the transport and mobility needs of Boyle will be addressed
in a sustainable and integrated fashion going forward. The recommended measures presented in the report have been selected based on the assumption that any LTP recommendations should be deliverable within its intended 10-year time horizon, but some are proposed in a 1-3 year period.
An overriding aim in the 176 page report is the need to make the town more cycle and pedestrian friendly, which is challenging considering we have the N61 national secondary road running right through the town. With this in mind, the report mentions the need for the N61 Boyle South Ring Road but it has not been included among the recommendations, notwithstanding its merits and potential benefits, as it has been deemed non deliverable under the reports timescales. The report says “However, the Ring Road’s delivery in the future would complement
the transport measures directly recommended by this LTP. It is recommended that RCC seek opportunities to advance optioneering, planning, and delivery of the bypass in the long term, as it would complement the transport interventions arising from this LTP”
Another suggestion is introducing a one way system westward on Military Road, down Main Street and across Bridge St and out Shop Street. The report says “Considering the extent of this change and the transformative impact on the vehicular circulation in the Town Centre, it is recommended that a trial implementation (using cost-effective and quick-build solutions) for a period of at least 3 months be undertaken to gather real life data on traffic flows and help inform public engagement by providing actual experience”. No doubt some will be against this as was the case many years ago, but the town lends itself to a one way system and it may be better than what we have at present and would alleviate a number of problems that currently exist at town centre junctions.
Other items contained in the report include using the back streets of Eaton Lane, Ross Lane and the Old Courthouse Lane as pedestrian and cycle routes in the town centre; traffic calming on approach from Mockmoyne into the town; new cycle paths along by the river linking Curlew View to town and onto Mill Road; new bus stops; cycle rental and cycle sheds at key locations in town and a very important suggestion – “Irrespective of the specific option selected, it is deemed likely that signalisation of the N61 Main Street/
N61 Bridge Street/ R294 Patrick Street/ Green Street Junction will be required to ensure safety of
turning movements and vulnerable road users”.
Overall this is a well thought out and positive report that if implemented will bring transport in Boyle into future. You can read the report here and submissions can be made up to Monday May 4th 2026.
Lack of housing is a stumbling block to town’s growth
A look at property website Daft.ie will show that there are only six properties currently for sale in and around Boyle town centre. When it comes to trying to find a property to rent, Daft.ie has not one property on it’s website.
Boyle, like so many towns across the country, is suffering from a lack of rental accommodation and affordable or ‘starter’ type homes for young couples or those getting onto the property ladder. What we urgently need now is more houses and land released in the town envelope to allow developers to build estates to cater for those who are starting off or for those downsizing and coming into Boyle to spend their retirement years. While developers will say they get a better return in larger urban centres, the need is here in Boyle for new houses and not having new housing is currently a major stumbling block to the town’s growth.
Boyle once had more licensed premises than counties in Ireland!
On occasion people will ask “How many pubs are there now in Boyle”. The answer varies depending on what you call a “pub” but at last count there are currently eight establishments in town where you can be served beer and spirts. It’s a far cry from years ago when Boyle had around 35 licensed premises! The buildings where the licences covered included (but there could be more!): St Patrick Street – Clarkes, Smiths, Maloney’s, Kate Lavin’s, Carr’s, Aidan Ray’s, Abbey Cleaner’s, Cosgroves, Three Counties, O Dowd’s, Heran’s, NIB,. Main Street – Lynch’s Hotel, Tom Wynnes. Green Street – Princess Hotel. Bridge Street – Mattimoes, Scanlon’s, The Royal Hotel, Daly’s, Italian Warehouse, Mullaney’s Rockingham Arms, Drift Inn, Moylurg Inn, Dodd’s, Taylors, Moriarty’s, Kelly’s Londis, Kelly’s Supervalu, Grehan’s, An Craoibhin, Tarpey’s, The Railway Bar, The Hideaway and Forest Park Hotel. (Above licenses from a list currently in circulation locally)
Cinema North West comes to Boyle
Cinema North West https://cinemanorthwest.ie/ is a new initiative to bring more Irish films to audiences in Roscommon. The initiative comes from seven venues in the region who are committed to expanding their cinema offering, including the Family Resource Centre here in Boyle and Roscommon Arts Centre. Screen Ireland, the national film development body, are supporting this local and regional initiative.
The programme kicks off with the new Irish language film Báite (The Drowned) directed by Ruán Magan with showings in Roscommon Arts Centre (10th April) and Boyle Family Life Centre (17th April). Set in the 1970s in a Gaeltacht village, proprietor Peggy Casey (Eleanor O’Brien) prepares for a busy weekend in the pub. But when a body is found in the receding waters of the lake, the community is deeply unsettled. Dublin Detective Sergeant Frank Ryan (Moe Dunford) arrives to investigate and uncovers disturbing truths.
Cinema North West working with Boyle and Roscommon Town venues will screen films through April and May and is determined to bring cinema-going options closer to the community. In addition to Báite, films to watch out for are the Irish-Ukrainian film Sanatorium, Spilt Milk and A Quiet Love.
Roscommon Co Co to CPO Boyle site
Roscommon Co Co has indicated that they intend to acquire by compulsory order a derelict site in Boyle. The property is located at Tidy Terrace, St. Patrick Street in Boyle F52 EY93. Any owner, lessee or occupier (except a tenant for a month or a period less than a month) may on or before May 1st 2026 submit to the local authority an objection to the proposed compulsory acquisition of the site.
News snippets from around Boyle
Hurling season recommences every Monday from April 13th 6-7pm in the Abbey Park. U8 (2018–2020), U10 (2016–2017), U12 (2014–2015). Beginners are more than welcome. No experience needed – just come along, have fun and learn the skills of the game…………While everyone is angry at the rising cost of fuel, those who had hospital appointments in Sligo on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and missed same despite leaving Boyle two hours in advance, will not be sympathetic to the fuel protestors that have been bringing rush hour traffic to a standstill……..First Spring Clean Up by Boyle Tidy Town will take place on Thursday April 16th in the Pleasure Grounds at 7pm……..Tickets for this year’s Night and Day Festival will be increasing from Saturday April 18th, as the event moves to final tier pricing. Tickets available here……It has been a sad ten days in Boyle with a large number of untimely deaths in our community. Our hearts go out to all the bereaved families and we hope that they find comfort in the fact that we are a very caring community who look out for each other in these times of need……..Cultural Companions continues next week in King House with Colin Beggan on Wednesday April 15th at 2.00pm. Ticket: €5 on 087 144 4739. Come along to enjoy an hour with local singer Colin Beggan, an old time banjo and guitar player. Colin leads Cryan’s’ Bluegrass Session and plays regularly in the Boyle Folk Club. He will play his favourite songs and old time tunes, and some of his own work……..Ladies beginner golf lessons commence on Wednesday April 15th in Boyle Golf Club at 17.30. More information from Bernie on 087 2437364………Boyle Film Club Movie Night tonight Friday Movie Night in Boyle Family Resource Centre at 7:30pm. A Spanish gripping drama (2022). Age rate-16………..Lightning McQueen is coming to Boyle. This exciting event is part of the “Bringing Lightning McQueen To Life Tour” across Ireland, featuring a life-size replica of Lightning McQueen and his trusty sidekick Mack. Lightning will arrive in Lough Key Forest Park on Friday April 24th with more details closer to the date………Preparations are continuing for Boyle U12 camogie players trip to Croke Park……….Boyle man Cathal Feely, playing at centre, was a member of Creggs RFC who won the Connacht Junior Cup final in Dexcom Stadium last Monday…….A large Boyle contingent are currently in the Big Apple for Sunday’s first round championship game against New York. Have a great time and enjoy the match………..Fuel rationing came into place in some filling stations around Boyle yesterday afternoon as a result of the blockade of fuel depots by protestors, with queues forming, panic buying taking place and some stations expecting to run out of fuel today.
And finally……!
An old lady came into her doctor’s office and confessed to an embarrassing problem: “I break wind all the time, Doctor Johnson, but they’re soundless, and they have no odor. In fact, since I’ve been here, I’ve let one go no less than twenty times”.
“What can I do?”
“Here’s a prescription, Mrs. Barker. Take these pills three times a day for seven days and come back
and see me in a week.”
The next week, an upset Mrs. Barker marched into Dr. Johnson’s office.
“Doctor, I don’t know what was in those pills, but the problem is worse! I’m breaking wind just as much and they’re still soundless, but now they smell terrible!
What do you have to say for yourself?”
“Calm down, Mrs. Barker,” said the doctor soothingly.
“Now that we’ve fixed your sinuses, we’ll get to work on your hearing.”
