Ten days of Arts in Boyle gets underway
In what was ideal weather conditions, the annual Boyle Arts Festival got underway yesterday evening with a spectacular and colourful parade through the streets of Boyle under blue skies and glorious, warm sunshine. A large crowd followed the parade to the grounds of King House where an even larger gathering was already in situ, awaiting the official opening by well know performer Mary Coughlan.
It was great to see so many familiar faces return every year to their native town to enjoy all that the Festival has to offer. It was also great to see so many of our new residents join with visitors and friends for what was an enjoyable evening in the ideal surrounds of King House.
Chairperson Patrica Golden told the gathering that this year’s festival has something for everyone with 24 of the 71 events free to the public. Patricia then announced the winner of the Fergus Ahern Award – Manar Mervat Al Shouha. The most promising U25 artist was Cloonloo’s Mae McGowan while the Sue Hill trophy went to Sarah Tormey.
Finabarr Feely gave a lovely, moving speech in memory of his late father Barry and announced the winner of the inaugural Barry Feely Sculptor Award – Redmond Herrity.
It is great to see the time and energy Barry and indeed Fergus Ahern, both put into the Arts and life of our town, being remembered at the Festival. Barry and Fergus and their families have given so much to the life of our town, that it is fitting they are remembered in this way, at an event they were so heavily involved with.
Boyle Arts Festival continues until July 25th with various events on every day, along with a number of exhibitions. Find out more on www.boylearts.com. (Full pictorial coverage of last night’s parade and opening can be seen on our Facebook page).
A one way system for Boyle is not imminent
Following a radio report during the week, there was speculation in Boyle that the reintroduction, or extension, of the one way system in the town was on it’s way. But that is not the case and any implementation of such a system is not imminent and would have to go through a lengthy process before implementation.
The one way system was one of a number of suggestions put forward back in April when details of the “Draft Local Transport Plan for Boyle” were announced. Submissions on the draft were requested from the public and eleven were received from: Neil McGarry, Cora Molloy, Paul Forde, Health and Safety Authority, Uisce Eireann, Environmental Protection Agency, An Post, Office of the Planning Regulator, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Irish Cycling Campaign. On Wednesday last, Boyle Municipal District Councillors were updated on the submissions at their scheduled meeting but no vote or no decision was taken or ever intended to be taken at that meeting.
To show the process and length of time involved in implementing parts of the plan, the draft report states: “In seeking to advance any of the recommended proposals set out in the Local Transport Plan, it is important to highlight that, prior to any development, these proposals would be subject to further detailed, preliminary feasibility and site-specific considerations. All such proposals would also be subject to comprehensive advance consultation with all relevant stakeholders at local and national level, prior to being prepared in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions”.
(The radio report and subsequent positing on their social media has also given an opportunity for one particular fake Facebook account to post their usual anti Boyle comment. (On Boyletoday Facebook page, that fake account was banned a long time ago).
Having the public up in arms now at suggestions that a one way system is imminent is totally incorrect and only having the effect of causing debate and divisions locally, when in actual fact, the Draft Transport Plan is a well thought out comprehensive document primarily aimed at improving and providing sustainable linkages, mobility and access throughout Boyle, with emphasis on safe pedestrian and vehicular movement within and around the town. There is a lot more in the 176 page draft plan than a one way system and you can read the draft plan here.
Fire risk warnings during this hot spell of weather
Our main story on Boyletoday.com on Tuesday morning highlighted the fire risk warning, among other concerns as a result of the glorious weather we have enjoyed the past few weeks. The warning is of particular importance to this area with Lough Key Forest Park on our doorstep and a large number of visitors frequenting the facility. Two points of note that visitors to the Park or other woodland areas should note: 1. Forest visitors should not use barbeques or light outdoor fires at any stage and 2. vehicles must not be parked at site entrances or impede emergency service access to forest roads. If you are visiting the Park, please bear both of these in mind. Everyday we see cars drive up to the entrances to the cycle paths, ignoring the signs not to park there and in the process block an entrance to the forest that may need to be used by the emergency services. In most cases, the cars that block these entrances are local. So please be mindful of the fire risks that are currently in place if in Lough Key Forest Park or other outdoor area this weekend and also please exercise caution if swimming or boating on the lake.
Launch of ‘The Boyle Experience Trail’
Yet another tool in the tourism information box, is now available locally and will be officially launched in August. “The Boyle Experience Trail” has been developed by Roscommon County Council in association with Boyle Town Team and participating tourism businesses. The project is funded by Failte Ireland and representatives from Failte Ireland will be present to officially launch the trail. The Trail marks a step forward in how Boyle presents itself as a visitor destination. It brings together the town’s heritage, culture, food, nature and community into one coherent, accessible experience that encourages people to explore more of Boyle and stay longer in the area. The trail also introduces a new interactive map and a physical brochure which is available through Úna Bhán Tourism, which strengthens the town’s tourism infrastructure. The official launch will take place on Tuesday August 4th at 10.00am, at Una Bhan Tourism with more details closer to the event.
Kayaking Tater Sessions in Boyle
Roscommon Sports Partnership are holding a “Teens Kayaking Taster Session” at Lough Key Forest Park in Boyle on Thursday August 6th at 1.30pm. Whether you’re new to kayaking or keen to get back on the water, join the experienced team from PMAC Kayaks for an exciting afternoon on Lough Key. With qualified instructors leading the session, you’ll build confidence, learn new skills and enjoy a great outdoor adventure. Cost: €10 per person
Places are limited with booking available here. Later on Thursday 6th, from 6pm – 7.30pm, the first of a three week adult kayaking programme will take place on Lough Key. Coast €20 per person with booking here.
News snippets from around Boyle
Frustrating “technical problems” have finally been overcome and the flood lights on the main bridge in Boyle are now fully functioning and look great. The lights are interchangeable and can be turned green for St. Patrick’s Day etc. etc. Well done to Boyle Town Team and Roscommon Co Co for persevering to get this job completed. The lights will really highlight the bridge when the dark evenings arrive…………The ‘Boy Racers’ are still up to their old antics on the N4 as can be seen from the tyre marks near the Woodenbridge and Ardcarne turn off……….Official book launch of “I Wonder if I Had Turned Right” by local author Haulie Grady in Boyle Craft Shop today Friday 17th from 1pm-3pm. Come meet the author, grab your copy and celebrate this fantastic new release……….A lot of people from Boyle travel regularly to the seaside village of Strandhill and many, especially those new to the area, may not be aware of how dangerous the waters are in Strandhill. This week Sligo County Council issued a notice stating: “Strandhill Beach is dangerous and unsafe for swimming, bathing or paddling due to severe rip currents and hazardous conditions”. This is an important message that should be shared with anyone travelling there……..With the beautiful weather set to remain all weekend and into next week, make sure to come out and visit Boyle and participate in the many events that are taking place in our town for Arts Week. A lot of work has gone into making the festival happen so your support is a great way of showing appreciation to the organisers who deserve great praise for all their efforts this past year. Plenty of out door events today including Mindfulness and Mindful Walking Session at 8am, Ross and Roll Arts Fusion at 11am and the outdoor Beatles Picnic at 5pm………..Congratulations to Katie Conroy and Ruth McGowan, two Boyle GAA players who were part of the Roscommon team that won the All Ireland U16 B Final in Kinnegad on Wednesday last……….For those of you wondering why lunchtime traffic backed up all the way to the Shilling Hill from the town centre on Wednesday, it was the result of a truck illegally parked half on the footpath and half on the road outside An Rioga with their ‘park anywhere’ (aka hazard warning lights) on which of course most motorists assume gives them the right to abandon their vehicle where ever they like without consequence………..Well done to Kate Lavin’s on St. Patrick Street for the bold move to undertake a fairly vibrant paint upgrade. If more followed this example, the town would look a lot brighter……….The Tidy Town crew have Boyle looking in ship shape with trojan work completed this week on tidy ups of River Lane, around King House on Military Road, Shop Street, Elphin Street, Pleasure Grounds and along the cycle path on the Sligo Road. If it were not for the Tidy Town volunteers, one has to wonder what state our town would be in from a weed and litter perspective………With requests issued for consumers in the Boyle area to reduce water usage during this dry spell, it seems ironic that there is a leak at the bottom of Green Street for a number of weeks now that has not been fixed………..“An accident waiting to happen” is what one one viewer described the situation at the exit onto the N4 from Erris Bay area with overgrown grass verges blocking the view of exiting vehicles of others coming from the Carrick-on-Shannon direction.
And finally….!
A 4-year-old boy says to his dad, “Dad, I’ve decided to get married.”
“Wonderful!” says his father. “Do you have a girl in mind?”
“Yes. Granny.”
“Granny?”
“Yep. She says she loves me, I love her and she’s the best cook and storyteller in the whole world.”
The father smiles and says, “That’s very sweet, but there’s one small problem.”
“What’s the problem?”
“She happens to be my mother. How can you marry my mother?”
The boy shrugs and says, “Why not? Sure didn’t you married mine!”
