King House to celebrate 30 year anniversary
There are many in Boyle who may not recall, or even be aware, of a forward thinking decision that saved King House from being demolished many years ago. It is hard to believe now, but back in the 1980’s a petition was organised locally to try and have the old Military Barracks (now King House) knocked to the ground and turned into a car park!! But thanks to the foresight of the then Roscommon County Manager Donal Connolly, it was decided to ignore the petition and to look for funding to repair the house and turn it into a civic centre, museum and town library. (See the video here). The rest, as they say, is history and a major Boyle landmark was saved for future generations to enjoy. Now 30 years since the great building reopened, Roscommon Co Co will mark the occasion with a weekend of events on July 4th-6th. Friday and Sundays events are open to the public with Saturday by invitation only. More details on the homepage of Boyletoday.com.
Carrick to Lough Key Greenway moves a stage closer
Public Consultation Number 2 for the Lough Key to Carrick (or is it the Carrick to Lough Key!) Greenway will take place in Lough Key Activity Centre on Tuesday next June 24th from 3pm-8pm. Viewers may recall the initial consultation was held in September 2023 and at that time it was suggested that it could take at least 5 years before soil is broken on the project. Now, two years later, we are at consultation number 2 “Route Corridor Options” in what will be a 7 point consultation process so we could in reality be looking at 2030 before this project is opened.
The 17k Greenway is proposed to connect Lough Key to Carrick on Shannon via Lough Key Forest Park. It is being suggested that there could be “a potential connection to Boyle”. This should not be a suggestion but a fact and anyone heading to Consultation number 2 next Tuesday should reinforce this point.
The project timeline comes in seven stages: 1. Concept and Feasibility 2. Options Selection 3. Design and Environmental Evaluation 4. Statutory Process 5. Enabling and Procurement 6. Construction and Implementation and 7. Close out and Review. You can read more here.
Memories of Bonfire Night
Monday night next is ‘Bonfire Night’, once a night of great fun and celebration and yet another tradition that is slowly dying away. Years ago Bonfire Night in Boyle was not a one night affair but started weeks beforehand, when local garages were visited to get the coveted old tyres for the fire. The storing of these tyres in various locations by different neighbourhoods was a closely guarded secret. Panic set in when word spread that the Marian Road gang or the Abbeytown, Carrick Road, Greatmeadow, Termon, Deerpark or Mockmoyne crew had heard where the neighbouring tyre stash was stored, and a well planned heist would take place resulting in a number of weeks work going up in (black) smoke! Bonfire night itself was a great occasion in Boyle and families gathered around the fire long into the night with children going home black from head to toe with tyre dirt and not a word mentioned about health and safety. And then when school finished the next day, it was back to the fire to try and rekindle it and start it all over again!
New ‘Safe Route to School’ scheme planned
Roscommon Co Co are commencing a non statutory consultation to invite submissions from the public in relation to plans to undertake “A Safe Route to School Scheme on the R294 at Scoil na nAingeal Naofa, Warren or Drum, Boyle”. The aim of the scheme is the construction of a designated school zone and improved pedestrian facilities along the R294 and the school. The measures aim to improve safety and accessibility for students, parents and staff and encourage active travel to and from the school. The project involves: site clearance works; enhancement of the existing controlled pedestrian crossing at the school entrance; construction of raised table pedestrian crossings; repair and upgrade of existing footpaths; completion of road markings to define the school zone and improve visibility; installation of new roads signage to alert motorists and enhance overall safety in the area; other ancillary works including the provision of road markings, street furniture and high friction surfacing. Plans and particulars of the development are available for a period of 4 weeks from June 13th at Aras an Chontae, Roscommon town and viewable online at the RCC consultation portal here.
A submission or observation in relation to the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development would be situated may be made before 11th July 2025.
The safe route to school project will be a great addition but it would have been even better if it included a cycle path to the school.
News snippets from around Boyle
Three Boyle organisations have been awarded funding under the 2025 Community Enhancement Programme. Boyle Film Club is to receive €3,222.74 while Boyle Active Age and Boyle Bridge Club will each get €261.40…….Last week in this blog, we outlined the great opportunity that existed last Sunday for food and beverage suppliers to capitalise on the large number of Donegal supporters that would travel through town on Sunday last. Unfortunately, no one seemed to have bothered to avail of the opportunity, but the subject got a lot of negative comments on the Joe Finnegan radio show on Tuesday morning last. We really need a larger range of restaurants in Boyle that are prepared to serve food including evening meals 7 days per week in the summer. If the venues market and price their product correctly, the customers will come……..Keep you eyes skywards his weekend where there could be an increase in light aircraft activity around Boyle with the annual Tibohine Fly-in taking place on Saturday and Sunday. You can also pay a visit to the airfield to see aircraft displays and fly-ins, family fun activities and BBQ both days. Admission €5 with all proceeds going to Childhood Cancer Ireland helping families affected by Childhood Cancer………Registration is now open at Boyle Celtic for the 2025/26 season. You can register by downloading the Clubforce app with details on Boyle Celtic Facebook page………Elphin Diocesan Assisted Pilgrimage to Lourdes annual Church Gate Collection in aid of the Assisted Pilgrims Section will be taken at all Churches in the Boyle Deanery Area on this weekend- 21st/22nd June 2025. Your support would be greatly appreciated…….If this year is like previous year’s, Boyle will see an upsurge in so called ‘Boy Racers’ passing through this weekend on their way to and from the Donegal International Rally. Former Superintendent in the Boyle area and now Chief Superintendent in the Donegal Division – Goretti Sheridan said: “We are calling on all road users and rally fans to prioritise road safety above all else this weekend. Reckless and irresponsible driving on public roads will not be tolerated. Our focus is on keeping people safe”……….Boyle Tennis Club Summer Camp July 21st-25th or August 18th-22nd……..Roscommon County Council is closing the R294 Mockmoyne Rd to carry out necessary improvement works from Monday 23rd to Friday 27th June. Diversions will be in place.
And finally….!
Conjoined twins walk into a bar and park themselves on a bar stool.
One of them says to the barman, “Don’t mind us ; we’re joined at the hip. I’m Sean, he’s Paddy. Two pints of Guinness please.”
The barman, feeling slightly awkward, tries to make polite conversation while pouring the swally. “Been on holiday yet, fellas?”
“Off to America next month,” says Sean. “We go to the States every year, rent a big car and drive for miles and miles, don’t we, Paddy?”
Paddy nods.
“Ah, America!” says the barman. “Magic country…….the sights, the people, the monuments, the food and especially the beer.”
“Nah, we don’t like that aul American crap,” says Sean. “Guinness and spuds, that’s for us, isn’t that right Paddy?
And we can’t stand the American people, they’re so arrogant and rude.”
“So why do ye keep going to America?” asks the barman.
Sean replies: “Sure it’s the only chance Paddy gets to drive…
