Comparing Boyle to many years ago is proving nothing
An unavoidably overhead conservation at a supermarket check out recently between two local’s gave an indication of how people are misreading what is happening in our town. “Boyle is on it’s knees and now that the Post Office is gone, it’s the last nail in the coffin”. “And you know what? The annoying thing is no one is doing anything about it” said the first person. “The second person agreeing added in “And sure there is no place to park a car anymore and all the good shops are gone. It’s not the town it was years ago”.
If you analyse that conversation, it contained so many inaccuracies. The Post Office is not ‘gone’, it is moving to a new more modern location in the town and the fact that we have retained a post office in Boyle should be seen as a positive development. Secondly, Boyle is not on it’s knees. It is struggling like many other rural towns but there is a bright light ahead. In addition, there are a lot of people who spend many hours voluntarily each day, ever week of the year, ensuring Boyle develops in a constructive way and they are “doing something about it”. A lot of those who moan about Boyle and who talk it down have never assisted or been part of any local organisation or group that spends time trying to promote and assist the town.
Thirdly, there are three free car parks in Boyle town centre along with free on street parking and a number of disabled and age friendly parking bays. In fact, there is plenty of car parking spaces in Boyle. You may not get to park right outside the door of the business you want to enter (and that does not give you the right to park on the footpath) but with some thought, you will have no problem finding a parking space in Boyle.
Lastly, a number of shops have closed but that is part of the commercial life of any town. Shopping trends have changed and you cannot compare how people shopped and the type of business frequented 30 years ago and where they go nowadays. Online shopping has changed so much all over the world and what it has done to Boyle is no different.
If our town is to develop further – and it will, people need to talk of the many positives we have in beautiful Boyle and not keep trying to find the negatives. Comparing the town to 30 or 40 years ago is of no assistance and not really proving anything.
Indiscriminate dumping caused concern in Boyle
On Sunday evening last a viewer sent us a photograph of six black refuse bags of rubbish that were dumped at the entrance to the Marina on the Woodenbridge Road. The viewer said they did not get the registration of the car from which they were dumped, but they had a fairly good idea of the make of car. When we published the photograph another viewer quickly message us with the name of those responsible and the type of car they drive which was exactly the same as the car that was observed on the Woodenbridge Road at the time. The viewer said they knew the car as the people involved are regular illegal dumpers of their waste around Boyle and the Gardai had previously been notified about their carry on. It is understood the Gardai and Litter Warden were again notified of Sunday’s dumping. What a shame that we have people living in our community who think it is ok to go and dump rubbish at a tourist spot or indeed anywhere in town. Let’s hope they are brought to justice.
Great opportunities abound in Boyle at present
There are so many tourism related investment opportunities in Boyle at present, including two which could transform our town for the better. The first is the 9 cottages and 51 acres of land that has come on the market at Doon with a guide price of €650,000. While it is located in a sensitive area, orderly reconstruction of the cottages for a tourism project along with ancillary activities could be as good a boost to Boyle. Read more here.
Also presently for sale is Frybrook House. Located right in the centre of Boyle town, the 7 bedroom house stands on 3 acres of land and is ripe for further development, located as it is adjacent to the Boyel river, the proposed Whiskey Distillery and Aldi development, which will revitalise the adjacent area and is quoting €850,000. Read more here.
Let’s hope whoever buys either of the two properties above, sees the potential that exists in developing tourism related businesses from them.
Launch of County Tourism strategy on Monday
An event that should be of interest to some in Boyle is ‘Rooted in Roscommon’, a special tourism industry event that will take place in the Vaulted Stables of Strokestown Park House on Monday, 17th November beginning at 9.30am. This landmark gathering will bring together tourism leaders, local businesses, community representatives and development agencies to explore how collaboration and regenerative tourism can shape a sustainable future for County Roscommon. A highlight of the day will be the official launch of the new Roscommon Tourism Strategy 2025-2030, an ambitious roadmap for developing a thriving and connected tourism sector across the county. According to Tourism Officer Lisa Joy: “This strategy marks an exciting new chapter for our county. With a clear vision and collaborative spirit, we’re committed to showcasing Roscommon’s rich heritage, natural beauty, and warm hospitality and growing tourism in a way that benefits our people, places and visitors.” The event will provide an inspiring platform for networking, idea sharing, and celebration, uniting stakeholders from across the county and beyond who are committed to building a vibrant, future-focused tourism industry in Roscommon. For more information or to register your interest, please contact Gillian McGarry EU Just Transition Tourism Activator, Roscommon County Council or email [email protected].
News snippets from around Boyle
St. Attractra’s Church Killaraght 150th Celebration on Sunday 23rd November 2025 at 11am with Bishop Kevin Doran. All welcome………..Coming Soon! Pop Up Gaeltacht in Boyle Library on Tuesday 25th November 2025 from 4pm – 7pm ………Lough Key Triathlon Club AGM on Saturday November 15th at Lough Key Forest Park (Moylurg Room). Start your Saturday the best way — join us for a morning at parkrun, followed by our AGM at 11:30am……..Work continues to progress at Boyle Railway Station where two 13 person lifts are being installed in a new footbridge that is currently under construction. Remedial works are also taking place to platform 1 and 2, redesign and marking of existing accessible car parking spaces adjacent to the station building, upgrade of station lighting, improvements to accessible wayfinding signage and installation of tactile signage; including a tactile map at the station entrance, provision of help points and induction loops, connecting to the existing public address system along with a significant upgrade to the toilet facilities……..Many footpaths on popular walking routes around the town are in a treacherous condition with fallen leaves. It was previously the case that Roscommon Co Co outdoor staff blew the leaves off the paths and on to the road when the mechanical sweeper was in town but that does not seem to happen as frequently as before…….Property marking event in the 4P’s car park, Rathallen on Saturday from 10am-1pm. Marking your property with your eircode ensures that if it is stolen and recovered by An Garda Siochana, you are able to have your property returned to you…….Monasteraden Christmas Lights Table Quiz in O’Dowd’s Lakeview Bar on Saturday night at 9.30pm. €100 for winning table with 4 person table €40. Raffle on the night……..Once again the Sligo Dublin line has no additional train services for this Saturday’s Rugby game between Ireland and Australia…….Corrigeenroe Community Centre Raffle will take place live on Facebook from The Moorings, Knockvicar on Saturday at 9pm………Boyle’s Celtic Park is the venue for this Sunday’s Carrick F.C. John D. Flynn U-11 annual blitz. from 11am-1pm……..Boyle Film Club this Friday 14th at 7:30 pm in Boyle Family Resource Centre. Enjoy a Movie Night with a Robert De Niro Film………Boyle’s Christmas Lights will be erected this Sunday. For the last few weeks, a dedicated number of locals (the majority with no commercial interest in the town) have been getting the lights prepared each evening and each weekend in the Courthouse. All donations here are urgently required as invoices need to be paid and the fund is well off it’s required amount.
And finally…..!
A judge was interviewing a woman regarding her pending divorce and asked, “What are the grounds for your divorce?”
She replied, “About four acres and a nice little house in the middle of the property.”
“I mean,” he continued, “What are your relations like?”
“I have an aunt and uncle living here in town, and so do my husband’s parents.”
He said, “Do you have a real grudge?”
“No,” she replied, “We have a two-car carport and have never really needed one.”
“Please,” he tried again, “is there any infidelity in your marriage?”
“Yes, both my son and daughter have stereo sets. We don’t necessarily like the music, but the answer to your question is ‘yes’.”
“Ma’am, does your husband ever beat you up?”
“Yes,” she responded, “most days – as he gets up around 7.”
Finally, in frustration, the judge asked, “Lady, why do you want a divorce?”
“Oh, I don’t want a divorce,” she replied. “I never wanted a divorce. It’s my husband. He says he can’t communicate with me.
