8th August Updates

Emmett Electrical Services

Kelly's Londis - Sale today, Friday

 

Tony Conboy's Oblique

Digest your weekend reading with comment, reviews and topics from Tony: Maureen O’Sullivan Full Circle / Summer Visitors / Errata / Ireland v New Zealand / McGovern Directional Drilling / The GAA Games Nationally. [here...]
In February 2010, Tony wrote an article about Boyle Fleadhanna [here...]

Ardcarne Garden Centre

Summer seems to pause and hold its breath at this time of year before giving way to autumn. A sure sign that autumn is coming is the arrival of the first spring flowering bulbs here at the garden centre! We've great value daffodil sacks at the moment 2 for only €20 and lots more other varieties for planting in the garden or containers.
Read this week's Ardcarne Newsletter [here...]

Wild Words Children's Literature Festival

On Saturday the 16th and Sunday 17th August, Carrick-on-Shannon will become host to the Wild Words Children’s Literature Festival, a three-day celebration of books and writing for children and young people aged 4-18. The programme will feature renowned authors including Sheena Wilkinson, Erika McGann, Gerry Boland, Deirdre Sullivan, Ger Siggins, Claire Hennessey and David Donohue as well as illustrator Adrienne Geoghegan, poet Gabriel Fitzmaurice and storytellers Eddie Lenihan and Niall De Burca. [read more...]

Lough Key Sprint Triathlon 2014

Photo courtesy of Mark O'Kelly

The Waterways Ireland Lough Key Sprint Triathlon 2014, one of the biggest sports events locally as regards numbers competing, was launched last week and has already attracted approximately 200 entries from all over Ireland and abroad with entries still continuing to flood in.
The event, organised by the local Lough Key Triathlon Club, will take place on Sunday 7th September and is a three leg triathlon taking in a 750m swim out to Castle Island and back, a 23km cycle around the lake followed by a scenic 5km run within the confines of the park itself.
Read more and view Mark O'Kelly's photos [here...]

Thomas Finn R.I.P.

The death has occurred of Thomas Finn, Manchester and Dooballa, Cloonloo, via Boyle, Co. Sligo. Thomas was predeceased by his wife Philomena (Phil) Mc Glynn. He is deeply loved and mourned by his family, sons, daughter, grandchildren, brothers, sister and extended family and friends.
Remains reposing at Mahon's Funeral Home Boyle on Wednesday (Aug 13) from 5pm until 7pm. Removal at 7.30pm to St. Joseph's Church Cloonloo, arriving at 8pm. Mass of the Resurrection on Thursday (Aug 14) at 10am with burial immediately afterwards in Templeronan Cemetery, Cloonloo.

Around Boyle on Thursday evening

St. Joseph's Church

Abbey Haven Care & Nursing Home viewed from church car park

Boyle Bridge with safety barriers
 

Maura Hopkins to contest for election nomination

Maura Hopkins with former Co Cllr Ernie Keenan and Frank Feighan TD
at her recent victory social in Dodd's Bar, Boyle

Newly elected Fine Gael Roscommon County Councillor Maura Hopkins intends to contest the Roscommon South Leitrim by-election for her party.
Maura Hopkins wrote: "I am confirming today my intention to contest the FG party's selection convention on 2nd September for the upcoming by-election in the Roscommon-South Leitrim Constituency. I received the unanimous support of party members at a recent meeting of the Ballaghaderreen Branch of Fine Gael." " As a young woman, I believe I possess the skills necessary to be a strong FG candidate with a background in health, education and agriculture. I believe I would bring a new energy and fresh strong voice to championing important issues for the people of Roscommon South Leitrim."

Boyle Enterprise Centre - two presentations

James Wickham and Gerry Golden delivered two excellent presentations in Boyle Enterprise Centre. James (Ardcarne Garden Centre) gave invaluable topical gardening tips and Gerry gave information on his company's Golden Rainwater Harvesting systems. Harvesting rainwater will become an important household feature in years ahead as we try to reduce our charges for water.

Tracey and Audio Fusion

Rehearsing in the same hallowed hall where Johnny McGlynn and Seamie Simon perfected their music (Tawnytaskin Community Centre), Tracey, Cian, Joe, Luke and John are nearly ready for their first public gig. Details to follow!

Tracey McDermott (vocals), Joe Conroy (Drums), Luke Ó Bhráonáin (Guitar),
Cian O'Brien (Guitar) and John McNamara (Bass)
 

The Crescent, Boyle

I took this photo from the Tai Chi Court Chinese restaurant (over Scanlons pub), with a zoom lens of course! I was having a lovely meal at the same time ... Honey Beef with Black Pepper Sauce and Fried Rice. The meal was delicious. The presentation and service were excellent.

Palliative Care / Rehab at Ros Co Hospital get go-ahead.

Shannonside FM report: Projects are part of a 20 million euro investment earmarked for the hospital. The investment also includes an Endoscopy Suite for the hospital where construction is currently underway. The rehab unit which will be the rehab centre for the West of Ireland has been given approval to go to design stage. The new unit will have 47 staff members
Deputy Frank Feighan says the projects will mean a safer environment for patients in Roscommon.

High Nelly Action - next Sunday 10th August

Internet photo: bobsbardurrow : High Nelly Website [here...]

Newly formed Boyle-based vintage bicycle club: "High Nelly Re..Cycling Club" will hold their 1st cycle run from the Crescent, Boyle to Lough Key, starting at 12 noon Sunday 10th August.Any vintage bicycle owners are welcome to join us. There are some club owned bikes available for a small donation to the Irish Cancer Society for anyone wishing to join in, vintage dress optional. Please contact Lawrence 086 863 2687

Boyle Diaspora please note

Vacant 28,000sq.ft. (on 1.9 acres) Factory For Sale beside Iarnród Eireann rail station in Boyle. I hear it will sell for an extremely low figure ... great condition inside ... clean it up outside.
If interested, please email ;me sean@realboyle.com and I will put you in contact with the auctioneer

New Microsoft HQ

Microsoft is to build a new headquarters in Dublin. It will accommodate up to two thousand staff and includes an eight million euro fee to the council for parks, roads and public transport.
It's a pity these large companies build, locate and concentrate on already crowded Dublin, Cork etc when they could have the beauty, ease of transport and imminent high speed eFibre Interenet if they located in this area! "The West's Awake" ... or is it? Despite indications that there was to be an occupier for our empty factory in Greatmeadow, no visible changes have happened ... except that the weeds have grown taller!

Trad Session in Dodd's - Friday night from 10pm

Donal wrote: I think at this stage maybe we need to bar the Isrealies along with the Russians :-) but all others welcome.

Boyle River Cleanup

Jane wrote: Boyle & District Angling Club will have a clean up of the Boyle River from The Mill Bridge to The Green Bridge (beside the car park) on Wednesday 13th August starting at 6pm. We will meet at the Boyle Bridge. Anyone out there willing to give a helping hand will be welcome to join us as this is for the betterment of our town. Bring tools, rakes, slash hooks etc.
It seems the job of keeping this part of town clean falls to voluntary organisations. Well done to this year's volunteers, Boyle & District Angling Club.

Castle Island

Castle Island on Lough Key is No.9 on a list of 25 beautiful Castles from around the world. Image © realboyle

The Gaelic Chieftain

Image © realboyle

The Battle of Curlew Pass was fought on the 15th of August 1599, during the campaign of the Earl of Essex in the Nine Years War, between an English force under Sir Conyers Clifford and a rebel Irish force led by Hugh Roe O'Donnell. The English were ambushed and routed while marching through a pass in the Curlew Mountains. The English forces suffered heavy casualties. Irish losses were not recorded but were probably minimal.
The Gaelic Chieftain sculpture is a magnificent piece of sculptured metal by former Boyle resident Maurice Harron, facing the battle site just off the N4 two miles north of Boyle.

New Boyle Band

Band photo and gig dates to follow
Image © realboyle

Lough Key Forest Park

August Bank Holiday Weekend: Lough Key Forest & Activity Park had its busiest weekend of 2014. Visitors have commented they were haven't seen as many people there since the huge numbers who visited this premier Boyle attraction back in the 1970's.

Boyle Bridge Repairs

Tender forms have been sent out and contractors are currently quoting for repairs to our town centre bridge. Apparently the plan is to repair the damage and leave this landmark structure as it was before the accident happened a few weeks ago.

Busy Boyle ...

Our little hometown has been humming for the past couple of weeks. We've had Boyle Arts Festival, The Debs, an Outdoor Barbeque (not helped by the rain), The Golf Club's most important annual day, Maureen O'Sullivan (Tarzan) remembrance, a bedpush fundraiser, a Pony Drive, Aaron Sharkey's three-day Moylurg Music Festival and more. Sure, I took loads of photos and published them - but - unfortunately I could not get to every event, and in fact I missed most of them. However I will move on and try better next time. Facebook viewers will be able see photos from events that I missed ... assuming that you have one of the billion free Facebook accounts :-)

Charity Walk / Bed Push

Paul Condon and friends for Cancer Society Bed Push to Carrick and back.
Photo courtesy © Tony Murphy

Boyle GAA Club

€20 winners at the Club Lotto draw which in Wynnes;- Stephen Tonra, Terry and Fiona Mattimoe, Sean Young, Michael Simon, Mattie Lyons and David Connolly. The house prize was won by Keith Condon. The jackpot wasn’t won and it will stand at €6,800 for next Saturday night’s draw which will be held in Daly’s with Team C in charge.
The McGovern Directional Drilling Seniors had a hard earned two point win over St Aidan's in the O’Rourke Cup in a very wet Ballyforan on Friday evening last. They travelled to Hyde Park to play Roscommon Gaels on Bank Holiday Monday again in the O’Rourke Cup. Next Saturday is the biggest day of the year for the Seniors and indeed for the Club as we host a double header in the Senior Championship in the Abbey Park. Kilmore and Castlerea will be first into battle at 6pm while our Boyle seniors will take on current County and former All Ireland Champions St Brigids at 7.30pm. A huge crowd is expected and patrons are asked to come early and to follow the instructions of the stewards in all aspects including parking and entry to the grounds. All Club members are asked to make themselves available to act as stewards and to assemble at Abbey Park at 4.15pm. Club meeting will be held on this Wednesday night at 9pm to make arrangements for the games.

Boyle Golf Club [blog update...]

August 4th: Seamus Gallagher won this year's Captain's Prize. Seamus triumphed after twenty seven holes to win his second major. His previous victory was in 1995 when he won Benny Morgan Captain's Prize. Seamus said he was delighted and honoured to win and thanked his playing partners and all who helped organise the competition. At the presentation Club Captain Padraig O’Connell thanked everyone who took part or helped in any way to make the day a success.
August 1st: The barbeque and scramble was a great success, thanks to everyone who took part and special thanks to Mary and Gary for looking after us so well. The winners were Niall Kearney, Aisling Gaughran & Jimmy Dwyer, 2nd Terry Canning, Mary Lombard and Danny Tiernan, 3rd Brendan Gaffney, Regina McLoughlin & Lewis Shaw