Arts opening night a great success
The rain held off and the crowds gathered in the magnificent surrounds of King House for the opening on Thursday night of the 30th Boyle Arts Festival. Chairman Gerry Kielty along with Professor John Crown and Marian Ahern all spoke to what seemed like one of the biggest audiences in attendance in a number of years. In what must have been an emotional night for the extended Ahern family, Marian presented the inaugural Fergus Ahern award to Paul McKenna on behalf of Colin Davidson. All those present who remember Ferus fondly agreed that he would have been so proud to see the festival that was his vision, celebrate its 30th anniversary.
One item of note this and indeed every year is the large number of former residents and townspeople who return to Boyle for opening night or who take a few days to visit their hometown when the festival is in full swing. Opening night was a bit like a town reunion for many locals.
This year’s festival most certainly has something for everyone – art lover or not, local or visitor and the best way of showing the hard working committee how much their efforts are appreciated is by turning out in large numbers at the many events and exhibitions that are taking place in our town over the next ten days.
Success beckons for Corrigeenroe’s James
Congratulations and best wishes for a bright future to Corrigeenroe native and former Abbey Community College student James Bolger who travels to the U.S. at the end of the summer to take up a soccer scholarship. The former Boyle Celtic player will commence his studies at Northwestern College, Iowa where he will play for the Raiders team. James gained his scholarship through PASS4Soccer who have been assisting students from Europe to gain soccer scholarships in the USA since 2002. James participated in PASS4Soccer tour of North Carolina in March and impressed those in attendance who saw the great talent that the Corrigeenroe native has shown to date.
Three weeks until Pride of Place judging
With a little over 3 weeks remaining until Pride of Place judges visit Boyle, it’s full steam ahead with plans to showcase all that is good in our local community. Those who attended Wednesday night’s community meeting in King House would have heard all about the competition and how beneficial a win would be to our town. We already have won Ireland’s Most Enterprising Town and to win a Pride of Place award would be a great asset in the push to promote Boyle even further. The current committee are made up of representatives of various local organisations and clubs. If you feel you could assist in the preparation for the judges visist please contact any of the following: Brian Nerney (Town Team), Louise Moran (Family Resource Centre), Jackie Valentine (Tidy Town), Erin Casey (Calvary Church), Roisin Kelly (Gardai), Tish Golden (Una Bhan), Ciaran O’Connor (Chamber of Commerce), Margaret Mulligan (Active Age) orMonica King ( Ladybirds/Brownies/Girl Guides).
N4 delays due to get worse
The current roadworks in Carrick on Shannon, as reported here on Boyletoday.com last week, is causing long delays on approach to the town and will continue to do so until the end of August. The delays are sure to affect business on both sides of carrick as Boyle shoppers will most likely avoid the east of the town, while those in Carrick will surely avoid the Cortober area. And to add to motorists woes, roadworks is due to commence east of Longford on the N4 on July 29th and will last until September 23rd with traffic management and a special speed limit in place!
Peace Pilgrimage stop off in Boyle
A big Boyle welcome is extended once again to the members of the annual Down and Conor Cursillo Peace Pilgrimage that will stop off in Boyle this evening Friday 19th July. The group are expected to arrive in time for 7.30pm Mass in St. Joseph’s Church. As has been the case for the last number of years, the group will stay in the town with various host families.
And finally….!
A few years back an aeroplane was about to crash; there were 5 passengers on board, but only 4 parachutes.
The first passenger, Holly Madison said, “I have my own reality show and I am the smartest and prettiest woman on TV, so Americans don’t want me to die.”She took the first pack and jumped out of the plane.
The second passenger, John McCain said, “I’m a Senator, and a decorated war hero from an elite navy unit from the United States of America.” So he grabbed the second pack and jumped.
The third passenger, Donald Trump said, “I am going to be the next President of the United States, I am the smartest man in our country, and I will make America great again” .
So he grabbed the pack next to him and jumped out.
The fourth passenger, Billy Graham, said to the fifth passenger, a 10-year-old schoolgirl, “I have lived a full life and served my God the best I could. I will sacrifice my life and let you have the last parachute.”
The little girl said, “that’s okay, Mr. Graham. There’s a parachute left for you. The smartest man in America took my schoolbag .”
