Final phase of Connaught Rangers exhibition has been completed
Every year, nice and quietly, behind the scenes, improvements are being carried out in what could easily be called Boyle’s premier tourist attraction – King House. In recent weeks, it was the turn of the Connaught Rangers exhibition to get a further upgrade in the House with the CRA committee announcing that the final phase of their museum in the building has been completed. Works included the replacement of display cases to maintain continuity; display of recently acquired artefacts; creation of new display dedicated to Lt Col Jourdain; installation of photo wall featuring a 32-inch digital photo frame and the remodelling of CR Mutiny display featuring prison cell occupied by James Daly.
According to the committee, “These vital works will enhance the visitor experience as they discover the
history of the Connaught Rangers. We wish to formally acknowledge that this project would not have been
possible without the generous funding provided by The Heritage Council”.
Does Boyle need a CCTV system?
An ongoing discussion in Boyle for a number of years now has been the need for a CCTV system for the town. There are some who do not agree with the need for such a system, citing GDPR issues while others feel that Boyle is the last large town in the county without such a system – in turn leaving us in a vulnerable position in relation to criminal activity. Since the project was initially raised at Joint Policing Committee level many years ago, a lot has moved on. The systems have become cheaper to install, technology has progressed without the need to house central equipment and GDPR issues have been addressed. In recent weeks our neighbours in Ballaghaderren have followed Roscommon and Castlerea and installed a 26 camera cloud based CCTV system at a fraction of the cost of what Boyle was quoted a few years ago. None of the local systems are live monitored but can be downloaded if required to solve a crime by An Garda Siochana following a formal written request to the systems Data Controller.
As the last remaining town in the area without a CCTV system, maybe it’s time now for a group to get together to undertake a survey of existing CCTV, see what areas are not covered and obtain a report that would be of assistance in sourcing funding for such a system.
(Do you think Boyle needs a CCTV system? Let us know by voting in the poll on the bottom right of this page)
Road works and closures causing disruption for motorists
Getting into Carrick on Shannon from Boyle can be a real test at the best of times, especially on busy Friday evenings but delays can build up at any stage. To add to the misery for motorists on this route, work commenced on Wednesday last on the N4 at Cuiltyconeen on the Boyle side of Carrick on Shannon resulting in delays as a traffic management system is in place from 8am-6pm Monday to Friday until Friday 21st November. For those heading west, an extension of the closure of the R361 Frenchpark to Castlerea road remains until November 14th with diversions in place and if you are heading east from Frenchpark to Tulsk, the N5 is also closed!
Shock but no surprise at Post Office move
As one would expect there was shock, but not surprise, when we published the news story on Wednesday last that Boyle Post Office is set to move from it’s current location to Supervalu Shopping Centre. Locally, in the last year or so, Roscommon and Carrick Post Office’s have both moved to Supervalu locations. Of late, there had been much speculation as to what the future held for the Boyle facility, as An Post had previously confirmed to Boyletoday.com that they were looking for a new contractor to operate the service. The move to the Supervalu centre now opens up new opportunities for the old Post Office building.
The ‘old’ Boyle Post Office on Shop Street was constructed in 1910 and housed the local telephone exchange on the upper floor. When Boyle exchange converted to automatic in 1984, this part of the building closed down. The building also housed the Sorting Office for An Post until that facility moved to it’s current location in Forest View.
It is understood the current Boyle Post Office building, which was put up for sale in October 2024, has a new owner and the moving of the operation to the Supervalu centre, now opens up many opportunities for the protected structure. (A happy and health retirement is wished to the outgoing postmaster Paul Forde and Maureen as they exit the business in January).
Preparations continue for King House Craft Fair
A date for your diary……The annual King House Christmas Craft fair will take place in three weeks time on Friday November 28th and Saturday November 29th. There will be over 50 craft makers and producers in attendance along with live performances from the Victoria Walker School of Dance, whose piece ‘Hot Chocolate’ proudly represented Ireland at the Dance World Cup in Spain. There will also be a solo by Lexi and a duet by Clara and Ruby. Roscommon Men’s Choir and Key Notes Ukulele Group will be in attendance on Saturday. More details here on Boyletoday.com closer to the date.
News snippets from around Boyle
Edel Tivnan is holding a Table Quiz this Saturday from 7.30pm in Daly’s Bar in aid of Mellon Educate Build a School in Africa. Teams of 4, €10 entry with raffle on the night……..Rosary will be prayed on Sunday 9th November in Assylinn (New) Cemetery at 12.30p.m………Boyle’s Thomas Sheridan and his team mate have qualified for the U19 Men’s Double Sculls Quarter Final at the World Rowing Beach Sprint finals in Turkey. They will take on Germany at 15.25 local time today (Friday)……….Knockvicar Text Alert information evening on Tuesday November 11th at 7.30pm in Crossna Community Centre, Cleen Hall……….The AGM of the Friends of Assylinn Cemetery Committee will be held on Wednesday 12th November 2025 at 8p.m. in St. Joseph’s Resource Centre…………Roscommon Co Co are to be awarded funding of €200,000 for the installation of a pontoon including the development of a seating area with improved shower facilities at Cavetown Lake……….It’s hard to believe that fireworks are illegal considering the amount that was let off over Boyle last weekend and in the run up to Halloween……….Tickets on sale every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1pm – 4:30pm in New Art Gallery, An Rioga for the upcoming Boyle Musical Society production of ‘Curtains’……..Corrigeenroe Community Centre Fundraising team will be selling tickets for their big raffle, in Supervalu Shopping centre this Saturday. Fabulous prizes to be won with tickets €5 each or 3 for €10. Draw will be held live on Facebook on Saturday 15th in The Moorings Bar Knockvicar at 9pm………Boyle Camogie AGM will take place next Wednesday the 12th of November in Boyle GAA Clubhouse………The Legion of Mary group are holding a public Rosary on Saturday 8th November at the town clock at 3pm. All welcome……..Congratulations to Erita’s Nail and Beauty Boutique in Boyle who was recognised as the ‘Nail Salon of the Year’ at the recent Irish Hair and Beauty Awards 2025……….Local singer-songwriter John Costelloe, who brings a mix of humor and heart to the stage, will play in King House on Wednesday 12th November at 2pm. Alongside his own witty, original songs, he performs a rich blend of folk and Americana classics from artists like John Prine, Nanci Griffith and Guy Clarke. Expect an hour of relaxed feel-good music with plenty of laughs. Admission €5. To book, please call 087 144 4739………..There are a number of worthy GoFundMe pages in operation locally at present that could do with your support – Boyle Christmas Lights here, Boyle Musical here and Corrigeenroe Community Centre here……..Congratulations, health and happiness to Eddie and Sylvia Creighton, who on Wednesday last, celebrated 40 years in the licensed trade in Boyle. Creightons Bar and Lounge is an institution in the town where Eddie and Sylvia run a professional, friendly operation and have been better than any tourist office in promoting Boyle and the surrounding area, meeting, greeting and giving advice to thousands of tourists (and locals!) over the years. Well done to you both and thank you for all you do for our town.
And finally….!
When little Johnny’s mother found out she was pregnant, she told the good news to anyone who would listen.
But 4-year-old Johnny had been eavesdropping on some of his parents’ private conversations.
One day when Johnny and his mother were out shopping, a woman asked the little boy if he was excited about the new baby.
“Yes I am!” Johnny answered, “and I know what we are going to name it, too”.
“If it’s a girl we’re going to call her ‘Christina’, and if it’s another boy we’re going to call it ‘Quits’!”
