A busy run up to Christmas in Boyle
It will be another busy few weekends around Boyle in the run up to Christmas. First off will be Boyle’s annual Christmas Craft Fair which will be held in the Sports Complex on Friday November 27th and Saturday November 28th. Next up will be the official switching on of the Christmas Lights, penciled in for Saturday December 5th. Then on the weekend of December 12th/13th, the Boyle Food Festival will be held in the grounds of King House from 10am-2pm each day. This will be a fantastic celebration of food, flavour and community with something for everyone to enjoy including live cooking demonstrations, entertainment, kids’ activities, food trucks, stallholders and workshops. For food producers or food truck owners, this is a ideal opportunity to showcase your products, share your passion and be part of an exciting community event. Interested in getting involved? Get in touch with [email protected] to secure your spot. When you are finished at the Food Festival, you can drop up to St. Joseph’s Hall on Sunday 13th December for Festive Afternoon Tea from 3-5pm. This event is a fundraiser for Boyle Christmas Lights. You can also host a table. Booking essential on 0861216690. (More details on all events closer to the date here on Boyletoday.com)
Derelict Property Tax will benefit Boyle in the future
It has been confirmed this week that the new Derelict Property Tax will apply at a rate of 7% when operational. Initially it will not affect Boyle as it only applies to towns with a population of 4,000 or more. When phase two is introduced, it will take in a further 64 towns with populations over 2,000 and that should then include Boyle. The big difference in this tax and previous ones is that, from January 2027 it will be collected by Revenue with information provide by Local Authorities who will identify properties that fit the criteria. Derelict property owners will then have to take action to remediate their property or pay a penalty to Revenue.
Boyle, like every rural town in Ireland is blighted by derelict buildings. They are lying idle for a number of reasons – inheritance and ownership complications, absent landlords, high renovation costs and planning restrictions to name but a few. The Government is trying hard to address rural dereliction with the vacant property refurbishment grant and other incentives that are in place to ensure towns like Boyle address dereliction thus ensuring that they remain vibrant, attractive and resilient places to live and work. The new tax will hopefully help benefit Boyle going forward.
Local support for families with children making Holy Communion
Boyle Family Resource Centre, in partnership with the National Forum of Family Resource Centre’s is pleased to offer support to families with children making their First Holy Communion this school year. They have a selection of free Communion dresses available for families who may need one. Families can text Flo, the Community Inclusion Support Worker, on 086 049 6496 or drop into the Centre to arrange a special appointment. Each child will have the opportunity to try on dresses and choose one in a private and discreet setting.
Behind the scenes of a locally produced animation series
This Monday members of the public in Boyle will have a chance to go behind the scenes for a new children’s’ TV series that is being made right here in the centre of our town. “Uncle Montague’s Tails of Terror” will commence on RTE in the next few months and is being produced by Boyle based Studio Meala in conjunction with Luxemburg based Melusine Studio and Dream Logic in Dublin. Before the series is released, award winning author Chris Priestley and writer/director Kealan O’Rourke will bring adults and children (over 8) behind the scenes of the forthcoming animated series. The free event will be moderated by film producer Ali Doyle and takes place in King House on Monday October 26th from 3pm-5pm. Booking is not necessary but seating will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Studio Meala is an award winning animation company based in the Spool Factory on St. Patrick Street in Boyle.
News snippets from around Boyle
Boyle senior ladies LGFA Championship Quarter Final against Sligo County Champions Eoghan Rua has been postponed in the interests of safety due to the orange weather warning forecast to come into effect at 2pm on Saturday. Provisional date Monday 26th October at 1pm in Abbey Park …………RIAM Piano Grade exams are coming up soon in King House. 30 mins practice slots are available on the King House Steinway piano prior to the exams. Slots are booking fast. Book by calling 087 144 4739…….This Sunday, 25th October 25th, get ready to come face to face with some prehistoric visitors when the ‘Walking with Dinosaurs’ free event takes place in Boyle’s Lough Key Forest Park from 12pm – 4pm. Bring the kids, bring the family and get ready for an enjoyable afternoon………..Good luck to all from Boyle taking part in Sunday’s Dublin City Marathon……….Join pianist Daren Lane for an afternoon recital at King House on Wednesday October 28th at 2pm, featuring a programme drawn from his wide-ranging piano repertoire. Daren has performed solo recitals in Ireland and the UK and has a particular affinity for the music of Mozart, Schubert and Schumann. Entry €5 for this Cultural Companions Programme with tickets available at visitkinghouse.ie…………Clocks go back this weekend so you have an hour extra in bed this Saturday night!
And finally….!
Daddy is digging in the flower bed when little seven year old Alice comes running out of the house, shouting, “Daddy, Daddy, what’s sex?”
He slowly drops his spade, straightens up and draws a deep breath.
“Well, darling, it’s like this…” he says, and starts rather reluctantly, giving a long and careful explanation of the ins and outs of the whole thing.
After about ten minutes he asks her if she has understood all he has said.
She nods silently.
He then asks her why she so suddenly asked this question.
“Oh, it’s just that Mummy said to tell you that lunch will be ready in two secs”, she replies
