Boyle eagerly awaits planning for Aldi development
As 2026 approaches, the people of Boyle and surrounding area wait with bated breath for positive news on the proposed Aldi development on St. Patrick Street. Viewers will remember the great excitement when plans were announced back in February that the giant supermarket chain had sought permission for the demolition of derelict buildings and structures to the rear of the 2 storey terrace of buildings fronting St. Patrick Street and the repair and refurbishment of the terrace to provide 5 two storey residential dwellings (3 no. 1 bed, 2 no. 2 bed) each with private amenity space, car parking and communal bin storage area. Reconfigured site access from St. Patrick Street to lands to rear to facilitate the construction of a single storey discount foodstore (to include off licence use) with a gross floor area of c. 1,839 sqm (net retail area 1,315 sqm), standalone single storey ESB substation and switch room (c.21 sqm). The development includes the erection of 1 no. internally illuminated two sided pole sign at the site entrance at St. Patrick Street and 2 no. internally illuminated store signs at northern elevation and eastern elevation (c. 20.44 sqm signage in total). The development will be served by 96 car parking spaces and 10 cycle parking spaces (and bicycle shelter).
There were five submissions in relation to the development (one redacted) of which two were objections – one from an individual in Co. Offaly and another from a grocery representative body.
Roscommon Co Co sought further information from the promoters on April 22nd and the promoters then sought a three month extension to the further information in September. This was granted, with the extension until January 30th 2026. So for now, all we can do is wait and hope that the further information is lodged by January 30th and that Roscommon Co Co look favourably on granting permission to this landmark and pivotal development for our town.
Two Boyle town Christmas events to mark in the diary
The traditional St. Stephen’s Day Treasure Hunt in aid of Mayo Roscommon Hospice takes place from 2.30pm on St Stephen’s Day at Lough Key Forest & Activity Park. Make your donation and pick up your clues outside the Visitor Centre. Gather in Dodd’s Bar afterwards to hand in sheets and debate the answers!
The Boyle GAA Table Quiz takes place this year in St Joseph’s Hall on Sunday 28th December at 7.30pm. Entry €10 per person – students €5. Test your general knowledge and enjoy a great social occasion.
Rail Strategy plans to improve services on Dublin-Sligo line
On Monday last, the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy was published. Early Intervention Priority Projects mentioned in the report include a passing loop between Boyle and Sligo and increased frequency up to an hourly all-day service between Dublin and Sligo. The report says this should be achieved by 2030. The Department of Transport Prioritisation strategy follows on from recommendations contained in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review which was published in July 2024.
Delight at Ballooning Championship return to Boyle
There was unanimous welcome for news that the Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championship will return to Boyle’s Lough Key Forest Park next September. Last year’s event was magical, helped in no small way by fabulous weather at the time. It was estimated that over 10,000 people visited the park to see the Balloons and with those large numbers came traffic and parking problems. A hard working committee have had a number of meetings in the last few weeks to prepare for next year’s event, with traffic management high on the agenda. The Championship’s are a great opportunity to market this area and a commercial opportunity for business owners in Boyle who now need to put their thinking caps on for ways to bring into Boyle, the thousands of visitors that will come to view the Balloons each morning and evening.
Some useful Christmas information and numbers
The Injury Unit at the Urgent Care Centre at Roscommon Hospital is open every day over Christmas from 8am to 8pm. The Unit treats non limb and non life threatening injuries like scalds, wound type injuries, suspected broken bones, strains and sprains, minor burns and the removal of foreign objects from eyes, ears and nose. Average turnaround time at the Unit is 60 minutes and it can be a lot quicker here than travelling to A&E in Sligo. The Roscommon number is 090 6632212. More info here.
NoWDOC is the urgent out of hours GP service in this area. This service operates for people who need to access a GP outside their own GP opening hours. It can be contacted at 0818400911
Other useful numbers:
Boyle Gardai 071 9664620
St Vincent de Paul in Boyle contact number 087 9292627.
Roscommon Co Co emergency number 090 6637100
Christmas greetings from Boyletoday.com
Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year to all the loyal viewers of Boyletoday.com and a warm welcome home to the ‘Boylers’ from all over the world. Thank you for making this website your number one media choice for all factual news relating to the town and area. Boyletoday.com will have limited updates from the town over the holiday period and the Boyle’d Pot will be back again on Friday January 9th. If you would like an event or item featured on Boyletoday.com, please feel free to email [email protected]. Merry Christmas everyone!
News snippets from around Boyle
It was great to see the final pieces of work on the Boyle Traffic Safety Scheme take place on Wednesday week, when fluorescent poles were erected on the hatched area outside Sloan’s on Main Street. Illegal parking here was one of the main causes of traffic backing up in the town, so this work should help traffic flow over Christmas, although within the first few days, a small white van was observed trying to wedge in between the poles with two wheels on the footpath!!………From this Sunday, we can look forward to longer days as December 21st is the winter solstice. From Sunday the gain will be minuscule at first – just a matter of seconds a day, but will steadily grow as the days move on and by mid February, those who finish work at 6pm will be going home in daylight………Charity Christmas Jumper Community Walk/ Meet Up In Davonna Park, Ballinameen on Sunday December 21st at 12 noon. All proceeds to North West Hospice and Dementia Ireland……..Free Christmas Dinner for anyone living alone or in need of company on Sunday December 28th in King House Tea Rooms. Bookings on 087 6430326. Donations are also being accepted towards the meal with any balance going to St. Vincent de Paul……..Visitors home for the Christmas will see great changes in The Lawn area, thanks to Boyle Town Team and Roscommon Co Co, with work to be completed for the spring season………There is still plenty of time for local businesses (and individuals) to donate to the Boyle Christmas Lights fund here. Unfortunately a number of the newly purchased and installed lights were damaged along St. Patrick Street recently when a truck with an exceptionally high load passed through bringing the lights with them……..Aughanagh Carol Service in Corrigeenroe Church on Sunday December 21st at 7pm………..Boyle Civic Amenity Centre will open Saturday 20th, Monday 22nd, Saturday 27th and Monday 29th December 8am-4pm with lunch from 1-1.30pm. Normal service resumes January 2nd……….Kinnitty Castle Hotel in County Offaly has been acquired by the Hanly Castle Hotel Group, owners of Lough Rynn and Kilronan Castles………Well done to Roscommon Co Co who recently issued notices to owners of abandoned cars left in the Green Street Car park for a number of months. One car was sitting on blocks before removal!……Yet another film crew was in Boyle last Saturday filming a segment for a documentary on UFO’s. While in Boyle, the crew used the facilities of the Spool Factory as their base………5k/10k Run/Walk in Cootehall on St. Stephen’s Day at 1pm……..If you can not attend the New Year’s Day Saddlers Inn Tractor Run (more details next week), you can make a contribution here with all proceeds going to CROI and National Breast Cancer Research Institute………Christmas Carol Concert on Friday 19th at 8pm in St. Attracta’s Church, Killaraght. Tea, coffee and snacks afterwards in the community centre. Pay on the door €10 adults | €5 children under 12. All welcome…………The following amounts were collected recently for Mayo Roscommon Hospice: Christmas Craft Fair €1001.39, Ecumenical Carol Service: €1920.50. A big thank you to all contributors to a very worthy cause…………Meet and Greet with Santa Claus this Sunday in Ardcarne Garden Cafe. Bookings on 071 9667091 ext. 230……….Boyle Community Tennis Club fundraising table quiz and Christmas Party Night and the club’s first 50/50 draw will take place on December 29th in Daly’s Bar at 8pm.
And finally….!
Two Irishman are at the job centre looking for work one day.
The job centre official asks them, “So what are you trained in?”
Murphy says, “Well I make women’s underwear on a sewing machine and Paddy here is a Diesel Fitter.”
“Okay,” says the official, “I can get work for you at €7 an hour and work for Paddy at €12 an hour.”
“How come he earns more than me?” asks Murphy indignantly.
The official replies, “Because a Diesel Fitter is a skilled job whereas a sewing machine operator isn’t.”
“What are ya talking about?” says Murphy, “It’s me that does all the hard, skilled work making the knickers. He just sits there when I’m done, holds them up and says ‘Yep, diesel fitter’”
