Viewer comments on Library move to Courthouse
Interesting to see the Library service move temporarily to the Courthouse while remediation works continue in the ‘old’ Library in King House. The mobile library has been calling regularly to An Rioga car park for some time now, but it’s not the same as an psychical building, as one viewer observed in a mail to us this week: “I read with extreme interest the news that Roscommon Council are finally working on finding a temporary solution to having library facilities again in Boyle. The Library is not just about taking books out but a place to relax in and read the newspaper etc, to have meetings like the Moylurg Writers Club and other get togethers. It’s a place to get information about what’s going on in the area especially for people who do not use the Internet. We have the old Royal too that seems to be just empty rooms (with the exception of the art gallery) or used for rental to private businesses but not open to the public in general so we really need the library”.
New hostel planned for Boyle
Boyle could be in line for a new hostel if planning permission is granted to Aaron Sharkey for the change of use and alteration/refurbishment of the former Boyle Post Office on Shop Street into an eight bedroom hostel with associated communal facilities, take-away coffee facility and conversion of existing outbuilding for use as ancillary storage (bicycle store, bin store and utility).
This is great news for the town. While everyone is talking about the lack of a hotel, there is definitely a market for a high end short term let tourist hostel in Boyle to compliment the plans in place by others for short term tourist accommodation in the town centre. It is also great to see that in Boyle, we have kept both our Post Office and the former building that housed the P.O., which will now get a new lease of life.
A busy Saturday night in Boyle
Boyle will be a busy spot next Saturday night. In St. Joseph’s Hall, the sold out Boyle Celtic Community Hub fundraising Darts Night takes place. Headlined by 2018 World Champion Rob Cross, local players will step up to the oche to take on Rob, making this a truly unforgettable mix of professional darts and community spirit. Also on the night the Celtic Mega Draw will take place with tickets still available until 5pm Saturday here.
If darts is not your thing, then a great night of music is in store just down the road in King House, where Paddy Casey takes to the stage for “an unforgettable night” commencing at 8pm. Paddy Casey’s career has taken him all over the globe touring with acts like The Pretenders, R.E.M, Ian Brown, Blondie and Tracy Chapman to name a few. Closer to home he has played all over Ireland, including a sold out Dublin Castle, RDS and a record-breaking week long run in The Olympia Theatre, alongside special guest spots with U2, Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan and more. Tickets available here.
Anti dog fouling campaign launched in Boyle
The Pleasure Grounds in Boyle was the location during the week for the launch of the Roscommon anti dog fouling campaign. With dog fouling a nationwide problem – not just in Boyle – this campaign is most welcome. Representatives from Roscommon Co Co who were present, provided the groups in attendance with stencils, sprays bags and promotional material to make the public aware of how unsightly and unhygienic dog fouling is on our streets. In Boyle, the campaign has begun with dog fouling being initially highlighted on footpaths in an orange spray to make the public aware of the problem. The campaign will gain momentum in the coming weeks.
Confusion on who is responsible for maintaining Gaelic Chieftain area
The piece last week about the view being blocked by vegetation at the Horseman/Gaelic Chieftain on the N4 seems to have been raised with authorities previously by a number of people but to no avail. One viewer told us: “I have contacted Roscommon Co. Council and have been advised that the maintenance of the area in front of the monument is the responsibility of the TII, (Transport Infrastructure Ireland). TII responded to my subsequent communication that it is the responsibility of Roscommon County Council. At the rate that the “sally” type growth in front of it is growing, in a year or two we will not be able to see it from the road at all. I was hoping that you might be able to bring attention through Boyletoday.com to this unfortunate situation, in the hope that someone might know of a solution to this problem”.
Another matter the article raised is the variety of uses for the car park at that location. You can imagine what it is used for at night time by amorous couples, but it has also come to out attention that it is being used on occasion to wash vehicles. A viewer sent us on photographs of a number of commercial vehicles being washed during the day there saying “I know if I was a tourist and seen this going on I would not be impressed”. We were also advised that the car park is regularly used as a distribution point for illegal substances and also for dumping rubbish. Maybe CCTV might help, but again the question of monitoring the system could be a hinderance.
News snippets from around Boyle
Tidy up and meet up starting at Cloonloo Hall on Sunday at 6pm. The members of the community will meet for an hour clean up followed by tea and coffee in the Hall after. All welcome……Deputy Claire Kerrane and Councillor Leah Cull will hold their monthly constituency clinic in the Spool Factory on Saturday morning……Afternoon Tea in Tawnytaskin Community Centre on Easter Monday April 6th from 12 noon-5.30pm…….Great initiative by Boyle GAA club where they are seeking the donation of old pairs of football boots that are perhaps lying idle at home so that they can be recycled and reused by another club member this year. Boots in all sizes up to and including UK size 5 are required. Please contact Mark on 0861597628……..The Annual Church Gate Collection for Roscommon Branch of Multiple Sclerosis Ireland will be held in Boyle this Saturday and Sunday 28th/29thMarch. All donations gratefully accepted…….There is growing concern in Ballinameen at the condition of the Dooneen and Bellagh roads following work in the area………Big changes around Frenchpark with traffic now moved to a section of the new N5 that was officially opened yesterday. The 7k stretch from Tibohine to Ballinagare will take a large volume of vehicles out of the village. The overall project will be 35k in length when fully open……..Great win by Cian Smith’s U20 footballers on Wednesday last. All roads now lead to McHale Park on Wednesday next when this team, with big Boyle connections, take on Mayo………Fuel prices in some Boyle service stations had not changed by Thursday morning which annoyed a number of customers. By last night the dearest diesel in Boyle was €207.9 and the cheapest €204.9 while the dearest petrol was €189.9 and the cheapest €184.9……….Clocks ‘spring forward’ by one hour at 1am this Sunday. The clocks then ‘fall back’ an hour at 2am on October 25th……….Boyle Film Club film night tonight Friday 27th at 7.30pm in Boyle Family Resource Centre.
And finally….!
After a long life, and a tumultuous presidency, Donald Trump dies and arrives at the Gates of Heaven, where he sees a huge wall of clocks behind him.
He asks an angel, “What are all those clocks?”
The angel answers, “They are Lie-Clocks. Everyone on Earth has a Lie-Clock. Every time you lie, the hands on your clock will move.”
“Oh,” says Trump, “whose clock is that?”
“That’s George Washington’s clock. The hands have never moved, indicating that he never told a lie.”
“Tremendous” says Trump. “And whose clock is that one?”
The angel responds, “That’s Abraham Lincoln’s clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that Abe told only two lies in his entire life.”
“So, where’s my clock?” Asks Trump
“Oh, your clock is in God’s office. He’s using it as a ceiling fan.”
