€74,100 grant funding allocated to two Boyle projects
Two Boyle projects were among a large number nationwide that were announced yesterday as recipients of funding under Phase 2 of the Community Climate Action Programme. Boyle GAA is to receive €53,100 for a 20kWp rooftop solar panel system, heater, EV charger, cycle rack, water refill station, establishment of a community sports swap shop, replacement of a boundary fence and planting of native tress and shrubs and water butt for rainwater harvesting. Boyle Celtic is to receive €21,000 for solar panels. The Climate Action Fund (CAF) was established to provide assistance and financial support to projects that will help Ireland achieve its climate and energy targets. The Fund provides support for innovative initiatives which may not otherwise be possible to accomplish.
Family Fun Day and Auction in memory of Rita
A family fun day and auction will take place this Sunday in the Four Provinces, Rathallen to raise funds to erect a memorial at Cavetown Lake in memory of the late Rita Sharkey. Throughout her life, Rita was a hugely active member of her community, giving generously of her time and energy to help achieve great things for Cavetown, Croghan and the surrounding area. She loved nothing more than being involved — spending time with her friends, family, neighbours and the wider community she cared so deeply about.
As part of this effort, a Family Fun Day and Auction will take place on Sunday and the Facebook page **REMEMBERING RITA** will also follow Paula Sharkey’s “Dip a Day in May” challenge where she is taking a daily dip in Cavetown Lake in order to raise awareness. Every donation, no matter the size, will help create a lasting tribute to Rita. You can contribute via the GoFundMe link here. All funds raised will go towards creating a lasting memorial at Cavetown Lake in memory of Rita, with a donation also being made to Croí in her honour.
Social media abuse of local politician reported
Boyle native Minister for Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Frank Feighan has revealed that he has reported “abusive bahaviour” to social media platform “X”, which was directed at his family. In a tweet to the Minister from an account that follows 3 people and is followed by 18, the poster said: “I hope all your children get inoperable brain tumours and are in the ground before you”. Minister Feighan said he has reported the grossly offensive tweet to ‘X’.
Abuse of politicians on social media has become unacceptably common in recent times as users can hide behind anonymous accounts, making them more likely to say things they would never express face-to-face. While politicians are public figures, they are also individuals with families and mental health needs, which is why the tweet like the one above that Minister Feighan received, deserves to be fully investigated and the person identified and charged if necessary.
Disgraceful online abuse is not only confined to politicians and the tweet sent to Minister Feighan brings back memories of the time during Covid, when this blog suggested people should receive the Covid vaccine and a local woman sent us a message saying: “I hope you get your booster – preferably in your eyeball and that you die”.
Graduation awards presented at Abbey College
Well done to the award winners at Abbey Community College Graduation Night which took place during the week. Ella Bermingham was the worthy recipient of the annual Mercy Award which was presented by Sr. Helen. The nominees for Student of the Year 2026 were Lauren McQuaid, Aine Donohue, George O’Connor, Angelina Kunjumon and Martynas Klimas, with Lauren being announced the overall winner. Following the Graduation Mass, everyone reconvened in the school where students were presented with photographs of the Class of 2026. Shauna McGrath also spoke on behalf of the students, sharing fond memories and stories from their time in secondary school.
Work to conclude this summer on The Lawn
It is hoped work will recommence next month on the regeneration of ‘The Lawn’ area in Boyle. Viewers will recall a grant of €200,000 was initially awarded for the enhancement work at the popular town centre amenity, but due to the timing of the issuing of the grant award and incoming restrictions on tree and shrub removal during the nesting season, progress was slowed down on the project. Then procurement issues and plans to demolish a large building backing onto The Lawn added further to the delay in finalising the regeneration work. Thankfully all of the above (with the exception of the nesting season) are now nearing rectification which will allow the remainder of the enhancement work to be completed this summer/autumn. The project involves clearance of brush, tree saplings and general landscaping works, cutting back of overhanging trees, installation of a drained path surface and edging from where newly laid tarmac and paving now path concludes, removal of existing signage and replacing new sign at trail entrance, replacement of lighting fixtures, provision of age friendly seating at appropriate intervals and provision of wildflower bedding mix and new grass along the bank. Once finalised, the upgrade will add greatly to this popular town centre amenity.
Creative Heartlands information evening in Boyle
Creative Heartlands will hold a ‘connecting people’ information session in King House on Wednesday May 27th at 6pm. This will also be a rare opportunity for the regional creative sector to gather. According to the organisers: “With so many short films shooting over the summer we see this as an opportunity for people to exchange contacts and information. We are also launching our Summer Introduction to Film Production Course which will be based in Ballymote. Please come and avail of some hospitality and take the opportunity to catch up with colleagues. This event is supported by Screen Ireland’s Stakeholders programme”.
The Creative Heartlands project was established across Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon in 2019 to strengthen economic growth and sustain existing enterprises in the creative sector.
News snippets from around Boyle
The last wine tasting event to be held in Daly’s Drinks will take place on Thursday May 28th at 7pm. Tickets cost €20 and booking is essential………It unbelievably took a number of years, but on Tuesday last, the street light at Bridge Street/St. Patrick Street junction was finally replaced. Hopefully Electric Skyline will now replace the broken street lights on the Carrick Road and elsewhere that have been out of action for a number of years also……When most people were just about thinking of getting out of bed last Wednesday morning, a dedicated group of Tidy Town volunteers were completing the erection of the hanging baskets on the poles around town. On Thursday evening, the same group, joined by additional volunteers planted summer shrubs and flowers on the Crescent and did yet another clean up of the town……….Hats off to all involved in the resurfacing work outside Abbey Primary School on the Carrick Road this week. The road closure was in place from Monday-Friday but the company undertaking the project had the resurfacing done by Tuesday night!……..Best wishes to all the children from our Parish who will receive their First Holy Communion on Saturday at 12 noon………The weather looks promising for Sunday’s highly anticipated All Ireland Round 1 Championship Game between Roscommon and Tyrone in the Hyde. Good luck Roscommon and all from Boyle associated with the team……..If there ever was such an award, Boyle could easily win first prize for the highest number of sea gulls in an inland town………With summer on the way and an anticipated increase in visitor numbers to the area, can motorists please stop parking on the cycle path outside the Tennis Club/Family Resource Centre so it can be kept free for what it was made for……….The next King House Cultural Companions event “Lola Montez & Lady Morgan” takes place next Wednesday May 27th at 2pm. Lola Montez and Lady Morgan is a highly entertaining dialogue between two very interesting 19th century ladies. Lola was a Sligo born courtesan and mistress of King Ludwig of Bavaria and Franz Listz. Lady Morgan was a writer of some note also with Sligo connections . She wrote her most famous novel The wild Irish girl while residing at Longford House in Beltra. Their exchanges in this charming piece of theatre will entertain and inform. A charming imagined conversation between two ladies of very different lifestyles, one the infamous courtesan Lola Montez and the other a famous writer of the day Lady Morgan. Tickets €5 available on the door and followed by refreshments………..Let’s hope the good weather holds out for Night and Day Festival next weekend……..Join Boyle Film Club this Saturday 23th May 23rd in Boyle Family Resource Centre for the Cinema North West screening of “Christy” (2025) a critically acclaimed Irish drama film directed by Brendan Canty and written by Alan O’Gorman.
And finally………!
A matchmaker goes to see Mr. Henderson, a confirmed bachelor for many years.
“Mr. Henderson, don’t leave it too late,” she pleads, “I have exactly the one you need. You only have to say the word and you’ll meet and be married in no time!”
“Don’t bother,” replies Mr. Henderson, “I have two sisters at home who look after all my needs.”
“That’s all well and good but all the sisters in the world cannot fill the role of a wife,” the matchmaker replies.
“I said ‘two sisters,'” Mr. Henderson responds: “I didn’t say they were mine.”
