The unnoticed demographic shift
Openings and closures are part of the commercial reality of every town in Ireland and here in Boyle it is no different, but there is a quiet demographic shift underway that is going unnoticed. A large number of business owners in the town will reach retirement age in the next few years and this could spell the end of a large number of our established businesses. The ageing of business owners in towns like Boyle is becoming one of the most significant, yet least discussed reasons why we could see many shops and businesses cease to operate in the not too distant future.
Many small-town businesses are deeply personal enterprises rather than easily transferable assets, with the love of the business and no rent in many situations, being two of the main reasons these businesses remain open.
Here in Boyle in the next few years, we could see many businesses close as owners come to retirement age and changing consumer habits have their knock on effect. This demographic shift needs to be high on the agenda when we plan for the future of our town centres and should feature in a lot of the regeneration initiatives that Boyle Town Team/Roscommon Co Co are working on at present.
Boyle’s long tradition in Community Games
What could be deemed a ‘Right of Passage’ for many young people in Boyle and all across Ireland is participation in Community Games. For years Boyle has had a long tradition with the Games. The town’s involvement in the competition goes back to 1973 when a committee was set up with the Barry Feely as Chairman, Mary Travers as Secretary and Marie Burke as Treasurer. Other committee members at the time included Sister Rita, Frank Geelan, Padraig Callaghan and Declan Lynagh. Locals who won national titles in Community Games over the years included Michael Cox, David, Raymond and Brendan McLoughlin, Michael Finn, Catherine and Aisling Dolan, Mark Grimes and Ruth Cox along with a number of local teams who won various relay events.
After a break of a few years and the work of an energetic committee, Community Games is active again in Boyle with this years track and field events taking place this evening (Friday 15th) in the Abbey Community College field at 6pm with registration from 5.30pm. And with a nice evening of weather promised, it would be great to see as many local children as possible come out to the event, which is open to all children from Boyle Parish aged 6-16 with entry €5per child capped at €10 per family. On Saturday the Art competition takes place in Abbey Primary School from 12-2pm with registration from 11.30am. Paper will be supplied but participants must bring their own colours/materials.
Community and family friendly cycle on Sunday
Local cycling club Curlieu Wheelers have announced that there will be no Lough Key Classic Cycling Sportive in Boyle this year. But for those who enjoy their bike, a more leisurely event in conjunction with Connacht Cycling will take place in town this Sunday as part of National Bike Week. The free “Community and Family Cycle” will commence from St. Joseph’s Resource Centre on Sunday at 12.30pm. This will be a family friendly event at an enjoyable pace with a focus on fun and is suitable for all ages and abilities. The distance will be around 13k. For any further information contact Carmel on 086 7020994. Please pre register here.
Another canine problem in Boyle
In recent weeks volunteers from the Boyle Tidy Towns have been highlighting dog poo around the town with coloured spray. Under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 (as amended), dog owners in Ireland must immediately remove dog feces in public places, including footpaths, parks, and beaches. Failure to “scoop the poop” can result in a €150 on-the-spot fine, with maximum fines up to €4,000 upon conviction. Proper disposal in a sanitary manner (litter bin) is mandatory. But the law does not deal with another canine problem that we have to suffer in Boyle – dogs urinating in public places. This is happening all over town and on St. Patrick Street in particular it is a daily problem with dog walkers allowing their animals to raise their leg and pee on the corner of the doorway of buildings. Dog urine can carry Leptospira bacteria, which causes leptospirosis. This disease can be transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated surfaces. So dog owners, please be more respectful when your animal is being brought out for it’s daily walk.
Update issued on new Library
During the week an extra crane was brought onto the site of the new Library in Boyle town centre. In an update, contractors for the project – C&N Higgins Construction said “Another great milestone was reached on site at Boyle Library this week, with the precast hollowcore slabs installed across the ground floor structure. The next step will see preparation for the structural floor screed pour early next week, which will allow progression of the main RC structure and first-floor beams ahead of the first-floor hollowcore installation. We can see the project really starting to take shape along this constrained town-centre site, where careful coordination of logistics and lifting operations continues to keep works moving steadily. Another strong step forward on this important community project for Roscommon County Council”.
News snippets from around Boyle
Roscommon County Council has advised that it is closing the R294 Carrick Road in Boyle for improvement works in front of Abbey Primary School from Monday 18th-Friday 22nd May from 8am-6pm. Diversion will be in place…………..Rosary Rally will be held at 4p.m. on Saturday 16th May at the Marian Shrine. All are welcome……….Boyle native and USA resident Hilary Beirne has been appointed Regimental Government Liaison with the 69th New York Infantry Regiment, a historic U.S. Army unit renowned for its Irish-American heritage and combat prowess, particularly in the Civil War. Hilary’s role is an honory civil position that will liaise on behalf of the regiment with the Irish Government………..The children from our Parish will receive their First Holy Communion on Saturday May 23rd at 12 noon…….Lough Key parkrun will celebrate it’s 10th birthday tomorrow Saturday 16th. All are welcome to join in for an exciting morning …………Botanical Art Classes for adults will take place in King House on Thursday May 21st from 10.30am – 1.30pm. To enquire or book a place please contact Sheelagh Keane on 0838811943 or [email protected]………Good luck to Boyle U8 and U10 Hurlers who take part in their first blitz of 2026 this Saturday in St. Dominic’s at 11.30am. It promises to be a fantastic morning of hurling, fun and friendship as young players showcase their skills and enjoy the spirit of the game………..Rambling House on Sunday May 17th at 3p.m. in Tawnytaskin Centre. Come and join in for some music, song, dance and storytelling by Gene Sheerin. All local talent with a few surprises. Refreshments served and €10 entry………..The 4 fluorescent bollards on Main Street have been a game changer in having traffic moving smoothly in what was previously a bottle neck due to illegal parking. But yesterday afternoon traffic once again built up after a Northern based transport company, delivering to a local business, decided it was ok to drive right over the bollards, flatten them and park on the footpath so they could unload their goods. The bollards did bounce back but were damaged in the process. It is understood the transport company have been contacted by a member of the public to highlight the incident…………Great clean up of the Abbey Primary School Carrick Road campus last night by the Parents Association and members of Boyle Tidy Towns. Next week attention turns to the Abbeytown campus.
And finally……!
Two 90-year-old men, Mike and Joe, have been friends all their lives.
When it becomes clear that Joe is dying, Mike visits him every day.
One day, Mike says, “Joe, we both loved football all our lives. We played together every Saturday for years. Do me one favor, when you get to Heaven, let me know if there’s football there.”
Joe looks up from his deathbed. “Mike, you’ve been my best friend for years. If it’s at all possible, I’ll let you know.”
Shortly after, Joe passes away.
A couple of nights later, at midnight, Mike is awakened by a blinding flash of light and a voice calling his name.
“Mike… Mike…”
“Who is it?” Mike asks, sitting up. “Who’s there?”
“Mike… It’s me, Joe.”
“You’re not Joe. Joe just died.”
“I’m telling you, it’s me, Joe.”
“Joe? Where are you?”
“In Heaven,” Joe replies. “I’ve got some good news and a little bad news.”
“Tell me the good news first.”
“The good news is, there most certainly is football in Heaven. All our old friends are here. We’re young again. It’s always spring, never rains or snows and we can play football all we want without getting tired.”
“That’s incredible,” says Mike. “It’s beyond my wildest dreams! So then what’s the bad news?”
“You’re on the team for this Saturday’s match!”
