Eddie Conroy to enter the Dáil race

photo © realboyle.com

Shannonside FM report: Boyle native Eddie Conroy has announced his intention to contest the next general election as a People Before Profit candidate. Eddie says he decided to put his name forward when he saw that no one else in the area was going to do it, and he says the People Before Profit group seemed to fit best with his concerns and ideals.

Boyle Garda Station - works in progress

Photo Monday 10th August

Inis Cealtra at Boyle Marina

The Inland Waterways workboat moored at Boyle Marina overnight

Free Computer Classes

Free Computer Classes (funded by Irish Rural Links) starting next Tuesday Morning OR Tuesday Night in Roscommon Learning Links, Elphin Street, Boyle. These classes are 2 hours per session for 4 sessions in total on 18th, 20th, 25th & 27th August, morning classes are from 10.30pm to 12.30pm and evening classes are 7-9pm. These classes are for complete beginners(and no assessment/exams involved!). Places still available. To register please call Siobhan/Martina on 071 966 4510

Pete Walsh Boat Regatta

"You are invited to join us in a Celebration and Remembrance of Captain Pete Walsh. We will meet in Lough Key at the harbour at 5:30pm. We will all sail beside Castle Island to mark and tribute at 5.45pm. Boats - We meet all other boat vessels beside Castle Island to sound horns at exactly 6.00pm. If you can't be there please sound your horn at exactly 6:00pm where ever you are to remember Pete.
BBQ - Weather permitting we will then meet in the harbour for a BYO (bring your own) BBQ afterwards. All welcome!"

Boyle Faces

The late Pat Flanagans's granddaughter Ciara Raferty is the current Sydney Rose.

Checking through my Flickr pages (31,632 photos) this Monday 10th August morning, I found an album of 344 Boyle Faces. Sadly quite a few have passed on!

Centre of interest - Lough Key Forest Park

View from the Visitor Centre balcony

The Boyle Horse and Summer Show is on the move.

Due to the adverse weather we have been experiencing it has been confirmed that our current venue at Deerpark will not be suitable for show jumping.
However, the Show will go on.
• The Boyle Horse and Summer Show is being relocated to the top of Green Street on land located beside Green Street Veterinary Clinic.
• Show programmes are now available in UnaBhan and on the Boyle Summer Show Facebook page.
• Chairperson Aileen Madden would like to extend thanks to the Brennan and Quinn families for providing us with a beautiful venue for the last two years and our gratitude to Barry Lynch for ensuring the Boyle Horse and Summer Show will carry on.
• Realboyle Summer Show photos [2011..][Selection of 230 photos..]

Martin Donohoe & Sean O'Sé in King House 7th August

Ciara Rafferty - Sydney Rose 2015

Ciara with mum Joan (nee Flanagan) and Dad Sean Raferty

The Sydney Rose 2015 is Ciara Rafferty. Ciara's grandfather was the late great, Pat Flanagan who lived in Rockingham for many years. Ciara visited Lough Key Forest Park with her Mum Joan and Dad Sean. I had the pleasure of meeting up with this happy trio and was delighted to take a set of photographs. I know we will all send very best wishes to Ciara on her big night in Tralee and will be delighted that Boyle has its own Rose - Ciara - representing Sydney in the Rose of Tralee pageant.
• Ciara will be in L.Key Forest Park again next Wednesday when all of this year's Roses get here. Meet and greet the Roses ... details and times to follow ...

Boyle Country Meats Special Offers

Lough Key Sprint Triathlon

"Sprint Triathlon Sunday September 6th: It will be a National Series event so we're expecting lots of top athletes fighting it out tooth and nail!
We also have two new perpetual trophies for male and female fastest swim times, in memory of John Cloughley, our friend and club member who passed away earlier this year."

Boyle Credit Union sponsors kit for Boyle Ladies GAA

Boyle Ladies GAA and club members with Joe Currid, (Manager, Boyle Credit Union)
Click on photo to view a larger version

Boyle Credit Union staff with Boyle GAA Club members
Click on photo to view a larger version

Stonehouse Cafe

Since 2008, Laura and Mindaugas (Minde) have been managing a very successful cafe/restaurant beside Boyle Bridge in the centre of town. Now, seven years later they will try projects of a different nature. From Tuesday 1st September, the Stonehouse will be under new management.
As we thank Laura and Mindaugas for their courtesy and great food and service we wish the very best for them, and welcome fellow Lithuanian lady Inga to the Stonehouse.

Our Rose ...

The Rose bus will be in Mohill on 11th August and Carrick-on-Shannon on 12th August around 1pm. They will arrive in Lough Key around 3pm. Photos to follow ...

Ciara Rafferty, the Sydney Rose. Ciara's mum is Joan and she is a granddaughter of the late Pat Flanagan, Rockingham, Boyle.

GROWING CONCERN ABOUT PRICES IS AN EU WIDE ISSUE FOR FARMERS SAYS MAIREAD McGUINNESS

MEP has written to Chair of Ag Committee to address issue at European level. With growing concern across the EU about commodity prices and farmers set to protest in Brussels on September 7th, Fine Gael MEP for Roscommon and Vice-President of the European Parliament, Mairead McGuinness, has called for a debate at the earliest opportunity on the state of agriculture markets.

Roscommon County - new CEO

Eugene Cummins has been formally approved as the new CEO of Roscommon County Council. Councillors met to accept the recommendation of Mr Cummins for the role from the Corporate Policy Group and the Public Appointments Commission. Mr. Cummins who lives in Ballygar has worked in Roscommon previously as well as in Galway and Limerick councils.

GP Visit Card

Everyone aged 70 years or over, ordinarily resident in Ireland, who does not have a Medical or GP Visit Card will be eligible for FREE GP care from Wednesday 5th August 2015. A registration form for the GP Visit Card - Over 70s scheme was available to download since Friday, 31st July 2015.
Alternatively, by calling 1890 252 919 you can request a registration form to be sent to you or a nominated contact. Registration forms will also be available from Community Health Offices.

Water Safety Programme 2015

Irish Water Safety programme 2015 commencing 10th - 14th and the following week, 17th and 18th August. Participants should be between 7 and 13 years old. Fee €50 including bus to and from Roscommon Swimming Pool. Bus from behind St. Joseph's Hall. For further information please call Maureen on 086 388 9907.

Older Articles etc

For previously published articles, news, photos and comment etc...
The realboyle search box is at the top/right of the Blog page.

Vitya Malirsh Drawings

Brilliant drawings by Vitya Malirsh are on display at Boles of Boyle. Vitya and his wife Susan have been welcome Boyle residents for the past 10 years

Pat's Thrift Store - on Main Street

Boyle Summer Show August 23rd

"Mare and Foal" - Woodenbridge Road. That reminds me - Boyle Summer Show Aug 23rd

Secret Gardens - Angela & Nigel East

Click on a photo to view a larger version

I must admit I was not prepared for the sheer beauty and scale of Angela and Nigel East's "Secret Garden", less than 3 miles from Boyle. I doubt also that my photographs do justice to this tranquil oasis and beautiful home so close to home.
• Located on the side of the Curlew Mountains, visitors enter through a young beech avenue. The garden, started 14 years ago and designed for a flower arranger, comprises many flowering shrubs, some herbaceous perennials and a few annuals.
• There is a polytunnel for vegetables and the garden is gradually developing down towards the river that runs at its foot.
• Open: 2pm – 6pm, 3rd August (Bank Holiday Monday)
• All donations from today's event will go towards Tommy Simon's care fund.

Tawnytaskin Community Centre - Nepal Appeal Fundraiser

Click on a photo to view a larger version

A morning delight for me was a visit to Tawnytaskin Community Centre for the 11am-6pm Tea/Coffee/Homebake Fundraiser for the Touch Ireland Nepal Appeal. The always-welcoming committee were there and made everyone feel special for attending this worthy fundraiser

Boyle Arts Festival 2015

Press Releases 2015

Photographs from previous years:
[2008...] [2009...] [2010...] [2011...] [2012...] [2013...] [2013 local] [2013 more] [2014...] [2014 more] [2014 songwriters]

Abbey View self catering, Boyle

The Fairy Bridge, (Built 1836) Lough Key Forest Park

Well worth a set of photos ... coming soon!

Boyle - a Walking Tour

"Starting the walking tour at the Clock Tower on the Crescent you will see that the tower was erected in memory of Lawrence Harman King-Harman who died 2nd September 1875, by tenants of the Boyle and Rockingham estate"
• Text "Boyle, a Walking Tour" by Ann Toolan : photo 9th July © realboyle

You really HAVE to read this superb example of alliteration by one of our finest wordsmiths!
‘Serene Suburban Sundays' was the overall winner of the Fish International Award for short fiction in 2012,and was first published in the ‘Fish Anthology' in 2012. © John Mulligan, 2012.

Friend in need

Have you established yourself and developed a successful business in another country? If the answer is 'yes', then Boyle needs you!
• Boyle is a great little town, very well placed geographically in the West of Ireland. However at this post-recessionary time and assisted with the ebb and flow of the business life, our town is experiencing a number of closures. Empty shop fronts are a noticeable feature on every street.
• I suspect many of our traders are hurting - and battle weary (maybe that's not the right word!).
• YOUR INPUT, vision and current success would be most welcome here, whether for advice or as a guiding/helping hand. Maybe you will consider returning to the 'ould sod', start a branch of your business here, or get involved in Boyle's future...
• YOUR REPLIES/COMMENTS will be welcome (through me if you wish) -sean@realboyle.com. I will pass them to a relevant local authority, organisation or club.

Why Boyle?

Here are some reasons: Boyle's West of Ireland location, beautiful local scenery, access to the N4 National Primary route, all of the 7 up and 7 down daily trains stop at our railway station, we are 25 miles from Sligo City and Atlantic Ocean seaside resorts, 45 minutes from Knock International Airport, close to us are the River Shannon and 3 large famous lakes, a plethora of historical treasures, sports and social clubs abound.
• Prime Tourist Attractions: King House, Boyle Abbey and Lough Key Forest Park
• We have leading edge schools, houses for sale, a Chamber of Commerce, High Speed Broadband, no pollution, a friendly "live and let live" attitude, fine shops and services, many highly talented inhabitants as well as excellent accommodation providers, restaurants and services.
• The Shannon Waterway has been extended with a canal and marina close to the town. Nearby, Lough Key Forest Park has a Visitor Centre, Tree Top Walk, Restaurant, Adventure Play Kingdom, Zipit High Wire Adventure, Segway Trips and Bike Hire. It is indeed a picturesque area of high amenity value.