Heather Humphreys has been a good friend to Boyle
Today Friday October 24th you will get an opportunity vote to elect a new President for Ireland, with polling stations remaining open until 10pm. Having the chance to vote in an election gives you an opportunity to be part of the decision making that affects your life and that of your country, so if you can vote, make sure to do so for one of the two candidates who are seeking election.
One of those candidates – Heather Humphreys – is no stranger to Boyle and has visited the town many times during her tenure as Minister For Rural and Community Development and has left a mark on the town with the amount of grant aid her department has given Boyle during her time in office. On each visit to the town, she spoke of her admiration for Boyle and it’s huge potential. When she was nominated to stand in the presidential election, Boyle man Deputy Frank Feighan expressed his support for Heather’s nomination saying: “I am glad to be able to call Heather a good friend but aside from that she is a colleague that I have worked closely with in Government as a TD and Minister from 2011 up until the 2024 general election. Heather’s work as a Minister, added to her ability to communicate with people across our rural and urban communities and to understand their challenges and opportunities, has ensured that under her watch and initiatives, so many of those communities have prospered. I believe that Heather would be an excellent President if elected by the people, I believe she will be in a position to do so much to bring our communities together and she will of course make an enormous contribution in our ongoing ambition to heal divisions on this island”.
Viewer outlines benefits of paid parking in Boyle
During the week we received an email from a viewer in relation to free parking in town and in particular the situation in relation to parking on Elphin Street: “I noticed you mentioned free parking in one of your items as a positive for Boyle. The situation regarding parking on Elphin Street is chaotic on every day bar Sunday.
There are some businesses operating with no provision made for parking along with train passenger’s cars left for one or two weeks because they refuse to pay at the train station. The officials at Roscommon Co Council say their hands are tied unless the elected representatives vote to introduce paid parking. If paid parking was introduced some order could be brought to this situation where permits could be issued to those who are entitled to park. Train passengers who leave their car would have to pay for parking and not be permitted to park outside someone’s business or home for one or two weeks. There are some positive benefits to paid parking as opposed to the free for all that exists in parts of Boyle at the present time”.
Condemnation of thuggery and violence outside Citywest
Any right minded person would utterly condemn the thuggery and gratuitous violence that took place outside the Citywest complex in Dublin on Tuesday and Wednesday night last. A mob with only one intention – causing mayhem and violence – not peaceful protest – descended on the area pelting members of An Garda Siochana with bricks, rocks, fireworks and any other implements they could get their hands on.
Among those in attendance outside Citywest were a number who were in Boyle recently for the controversial “Rebels Across the Pond” event that was held in the town. One of those who were in Boyle and who spoke at the event, took to social media on Tuesday night to label the Gardai – who were there to protect – as a “Bunch of traitorous sell out Gobshi.es protecting pedophiles and battering/pepper spraying the natives”. Another prominent attendee at the Boyle event had his phone confiscated by Gardai outside Citywest on Wednesday night as they (Gardai) believed it contained evidence in relation to the criminal damage to an official patrol vehicle.
Boyle man to represent Ireland in Turkey
What a great achievement by young Boyle man Thomas Sheridan who has been selected to represent Ireland at the upcoming World Beach Sprint Rowing Championships in Turkey which takes place from 6th to 9th November. Thomas has been steadily progressing through the ranks of the rowing world over the last few years and his Irish selection is testament to the hard work the Sligo Rowing Club member has put in, to gain his place. You don’t get selected for an Irish team by chance and behind the scenes support is a key additional element to selection and Thomas has that in abundance from his mum Orlaith and dad Tommy, who himself was an accomplished sportsman in his day. Sligo Rowing Club has set up a GoFundMe page to help out with costs associated with the event and you can donate here.
News snippets from around Boyle
Ballinameen Parents Association are holding a Kids Halloween Disco in Ballinameen Hall this evening Friday 24th from 6.30pm – 8pm with face painting, prizes for best dressed, tuck shop, tea and coffee. Admission €5, 2 for €8 and 3 for €10……….The Corrigeenroe Community Centre committee members will be back in Boyle this Saturday at Cooney’s Centra selling fundraising tickets for their proposed Community Centre…….We now have seven pedestrian crossings at key locations in town yet people continue to cross the road is the most dangerous of places, with an accident waiting to happen……..A street light power outage last night (Thursday) plunged many parts of the town into darkness……..What a pity there will be no Summer Show in Boyle next year. The recent AGM of the event saw such a small attendance that the current committee stood down. All that can save the event now is if a new organisational committee is appointed……..Boyle film club will host a screening this Friday night at 7.30pm in Boyle Family Resource Centre…….Make sure to drop in to the Courtyard Market in Boyle this Saturday for the usual stalls along with loads of Halloween fun……..Motorists rushing to get to 9am work and parents driving children to school are taking short cuts at speed along Eaton Lane and through the Green St Car Park as they come in St. Patrick Street. Like wise they are doing the same shooting off Termon Road, exiting at Daly’s. Many children going to school on foot use these back streets, so please slow down or better still – leave a bit earlier to get to work or to do the school run………..An extra hour in bed this Sunday morning as the clocks go back one hour at 2am Sunday October 26th………The Foot Clinic in the Spool Factory is open this Bank Holiday Monday for those who are finding it hard to attend appointments on work days. Book online at www.yourfootcare.ie……..Hopefully the weather stays fine for the giant Dinosaurs and Jurassic Superstars along with Spiderman who will be in Lough Key Forest Park this Sunday between 2and 4pm………Good luck to Boyle A.C. members Sean Ballantyne, Helen Beirne, Diarmuid Boylan, Neil Conlon, Eileen Comer, Cian Duffy, Claire Flanagan, Conor Hamill, Shane McCarthy, Sinead McQuaid, Shane McPherson, Mark Reilly and Cathy Weston who will participate in Monday’s Dublin City Marathon………The 5-a-side fundraising soccer tournament scheduled for tomorrow Saturday in the Sports Complex has been postponed to a new date that will soon be announced.
And finally….!
While waiting for her first appointment with her new dentist, Jane notices his degree certificate on the wall, which includes his full name.
Suddenly, Jane remembers a tall, handsome boy from her University some 45 years ago who had exactly the same name. Naturally she wonders whether this can be the same guy.
However upon seeing him, she quickly dismisses any such thought.
Surely this ageing, balding, grey-haired old man with a deeply lined face could not possibly be one of her old Uni?
After he had finished examining her teeth, Jane decides to ask him whether they he attended the local secondary school.
“Yes,” he replied.
“That’s amazing. What year did you graduate then?” Jane asks.
“In 1973” he responds.
“Amazing, you were in my class!” Jane exclaims.
He looks at her closely and then asks, “Really….What subject did you teach?“
