Retirement Planning Programme

 Thinking Ahead! – A Public Information Evening on State Pensions
& additional Benefits & Entitlements

Co. Roscommon Citizens Information Service, which is funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board, as part of its remit of delivering information, advice and advocacy services to the public is holding a public information evening on Thursday, 5th November, 2015 on social welfare State Pensions and additional benefits & entitlements.  

The venue is King House, Boyle at 7pm; registration commences from 6.30pm – 6.45pm.  This is a free event and all are welcome to attend.    

This event is an interagency initiative between Co. Roscommon Citizens Information Service, Roscommon Leader Partnership and Roscommon Older People’s Council.

It is being held for the benefit of members of the public who want to learn more about the types of social welfare State Pensions and the additional benefits, entitlements and supports that are relevant and are currently available upon retirement.    

A guest speaker will present the information in a user friendly manner and demystify the complexity of State Pensions and additional social welfare entitlements.

This event is of relevance for anyone contemplating retirement or indeed for those who have already retired and want to enhance their knowledge to seek any additional outstanding entitlements/benefits.  

It will be of interest to people from all working backgrounds, for the employed, self-employed, homemakers and indeed existing pensioners.

Overall, it is anticipated that those in attendance will come away from the event with a greater knowledge and awareness of the criteria that has to be met under current guidelines to obtain a social welfare pension and any extra benefits & entitlements associated with pensions.

The Information Event will also offer an opportunity to those in attendance of enhancing their knowledge of local supports and services available through agencies in the region for older people.  Representatives from a number of local organisations will be on hand hosting their own information stands at the event.

This is a free information event and refreshments will be served to attendees.

For further information contact Fiona Kilmartin (Roscommon CIC) on 0761 07 6380 or Margaret Lynch (Boyle CIC) on 0761 07 6330.

Update 28th October

One and two cent coins to be phased out?

A scheme aimed at reducing the number of one and two cent coins in circulation is getting under way. From today, customers will have their change rounded to the nearest five cents. The Central Bank says that rounding will only be used in cash transactions. It will be conducted on a voluntary basis, meaning customers can opt out and ask for the exact change.
One and two cent coins will remain legal tender.

The 8 at 8: Wednesday

Here’s everything you need to know this morning ... Saying goodbye to 1c and 2c coins, an assault on a group of school children in Manchester and concerns for those made homeless by the earthquake in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and more.

Ardcarne Garden Centres - Christmas Shop openings

Friday 6th November 5-8pm: The Grand Opening of the Christmas Shops at Ardcarne Garden Centres, Boyle & Roscommon Town, with celebrations continuing all weekend. This eagerly awaited event is a great family occasion every year combining hospitality and entertainment with a sense of community. Enjoy a complementary glass of mulled wine and mince pies while soaking up the magical Christmas atmosphere and help support your local Roscommon/Mayo Hospice.
Free Live Musical Entertainment Friday from 5pm - 7.30pm (Boyle & Roscommon Town) and 2pm – 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday (Boyle). The Ardcarne Garden Café will also be offering a ‘Supper Special’ of Beef Stew or Curry, Dessert and Tea, for only €10 on Friday evening 6th November 5-8pm (Boyle).
photo © sean o'dowd

The Wizard of Oz - Tickets from next Saturday

Tickets for Boyle Musical Society’s "The Wizard of Oz", will go on sale this Saturday October 31st at 12pm from the BMS ticket office beside Marian’s on Bridge Street. The Wizard of Oz show will open at 8pm on Wednesday November 18th and continue at 8pm nightly until Sunday November 22nd in St. Joseph’s Hall, Boyle, including matinee on Sunday 22nd at 3pm.

Roll Back The Years - August 2014

Though they practiced and rehearsed frequently, 'twas a pity the band did not happen!
Doubtless many will recognise four Boyle faces in this photo...

Human Resource Management Course

Wednesday October 28th: one day course on Human Resource Management at Boyle Enterprise Centre. Owners/Managers and covers key employment areas including Statutory Responsibilities, Employment Legislation, Contracts, Performance Management, Job Descriptions & Grievance/Disciplinary procedures. 9am until 4.30pm. To book places or for more information please email info@roleskillnet.com or call 071 967 3440. The course is organised by Role Skillnet who provide funding and support for training. Role Skillnet are based at Boyle Enterprise Centre.

 

Lough SpooKey Halloween

Lough SpooKey Halloween Events now with lots of spooky happenings including Balloon Modelling, Pumpkin Carving, Story Telling, Halloween Craft and Baking, Witch and Monster Treasure Hunt

Boyle Celtic Draw

Tickets are now on sale for the Boyle Celtic Fuel Draw which will take place in Dodd’s Crescent Bar on Saturday 31st October. Tickets are available from players, committee members and retail outlets in the area. Great prizes to be won.

Roll Back The Years (001) - October 2010

As always, I am delighted to add features to realboyle.com. "Roll Back The Years" will be featured daily on the site from now on ... enjoy!
• The photo above shows fresh-faced members of the Boyle Celtic over 40's on the Late Late Show in October 2010 promoting their 'nude' calendar fundraiser.

Memories from 2014

realboyle.com delivers quality and quantity in the County Roscommon area:
• In October 2014, I uploaded 303 images to Flickr.com [here...]
• In November 2014, I uploaded 791 images to flickr.com [here...]
That's an average of 120 images each week, keeping viewers in touch with home.
Marian wrote: "Sean, You are an absolute legend, you are always here for me and my "needy posts", and then there's all you have done for Boyle with Real Boyle and Facebook too."

Update 26th October

For inclusion on realboyle.com please email details of your
upcoming events to sean@realboyle.com or text/call 086 193 5452

St. Joseph's Church Car Park 26th October

Ardcarne Garden Centre Christmas Shop 2015

Ardcarne Staff are busy preparing the centre for another dazzling, sparkling Christmas Shop - opening soon, and I look forward to showing you loads of photos...

Ardcarne Garden Cafe

Tawnytaskin Centre Pamper Day

Keash NS Golden Jubilee

Bishop Brendan Kelly (Achonry) celebrating special mass in Keash Church

Much Joy and many happy faces in Keash and Ballymote last night as the community joined together to celebrate the Golden Jubilee (50 years) of St. Mary's National School, Keash. Celebrations started in the packed Keash Church celebrated by Bishop Brendan Kelly (Achonry) assisted by PP Gabriel Murphy and former PP Fr. Jim Finan.
The church choir under the direction of Maureen O'Dowd were superb and featured solos from John Dwyer (Flute and Whistle), and songs from David Snee and Aoife McDonagh.
An outstanding performance was delivered by the school children and musicians singing the specially composed "Memories of Keash" and directed by music teacher Yvonne Cunningham.
Proceedings moved then to the Coach House Hotel Ballymote for a sit-down buffet, An interesting history of the school by former headmaster Padraig Duffy and thank you's to all involved including the school's excellent teaching staff of Ms White, Ms Smith and Ms McDonagh. Former teacher Imelda Killoran was presented with the first copy of a commemorative book by Bishop Kelly. Music and dancing completed the night, courtesy of Christy O'Grady,
All in all I was made feel very welcome thanks to a great community and the excellent event committee.

Charlie O'Donnell receives award

Charlie O'Donnell, son of Simon and Vicky O'Donnell, Warren, Boyle, receiving an Academic Award from Judge Conal Gibbons at Summerhill College Sligo on 22nd October. Bishop Doran was in attendance. This is an important date in Summerhill to recognise the students achievements in the last school year. Charlie is a former student of St Joseph's BNS Boyle.

Elizabeth Ann (Lily) SIMON R.I.P.

The death has occurred peacefully at North West Hospice of Elizabeth Ann (Lily) Simon (née McGirl), Ardagh, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Predeceased by her loving husband Patrick 'Pa' Simon. Elizabeth Ann is deeply loved and mourned by her sons Seamus, Patrick and John, daughter Catherine, brother and sisters, grandchildren, extended family, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
Remains reposing at her residence this Sunday evening from 2pm until 6pm with removal to St. Joseph's Church, Boyle, arriving at 7pm. Mass of the resurrection on Monday at 11am. Burial immediately afterwards in Killeenan Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired, to North West Hospice c/o O'Dowd Funeral Directors, Gurteen.
May Lily's Gentle Soul Rest in Peace

Autumn Stunners in Lough Key Forest Park

Boyle Harbour Saturday 24th October

Boyle Origin Farmers Market

Boyle Origin Farmers Market is now 'indoor' and covered for your convenience. Check out the new fully covered marquees every Saturday on King House grounds 10am-2pm.

Coffee Morning/Cake Sale for Alzheimer’s Society

Boyle Golf Club: A coffee morning/cake sale for the Alzheimer’s Society all day in the clubhouse. The event is a joint initiative by club captains Sandra McCrann & Michael Rush and all support is appreciated. The event is part of a fundraising weekend including a golf classic which can be played Saturday, Sunday and Monday. A raffle will take place over the weekend with prizes including two tickets to Leinster V Connacht in the RDS on New Year’s Day. For more information on any of the events or to offer support please contact club captains Sandra on 086 851 2191 or Michael on 086 864 5797

Boyle GAA u8 and u10 bus trip to Dublin

There was shared excitement this morning at Boyle GAA Clubhouse between our Under 8 and Under 10 boys team panels, their trainers and club officials as well as parents now that the long awaited trip to Dublin day had arrived. Groups assembled for photos in the clubhouse as daylight dawned outside. Then it was 'off to Dublin' in the fabulous Club Rossie bus driven by our own Damian Regan. Games to follow versus Clontarf GAA and a specially arranged tour of Croke Park...

Ireland’s Favourite Park - Lough Key Forest Park

Best of Ireland series: The list of hopefuls included: Killarney National Park (Co. Kerry), Castlecomer Discovery Park (Co. Kilkenny), Doneraile Park (Co. Cork), Lough Key Forest Park (Co. Roscommon), and the Phoenix Park in Dublin City. The winner, with an overwhelming landslide vote of 84%, was Lough Key Forest Park! Congratulations to everyone at Lough Key from the Boda Borg adventure centre to the wonderful Lakeside Café.

If Tony were to enter his Blog for some of the Web Awards he would be a podium winner ... but that's not his style thank God. This week's Blog is another, well written/observed winner:
• Frank McDermott of Coolavin : McAleese Collection on Display : Ireland of the Welcomes : Anne Sheerin meets Daniel O’Donnell : The Graham Norton Irish Night : James Shivnan R.I.P. : Ted McGowan, Gurteen : Hyped Expectation v Reality : Boyle Juniors in Final

Boyle Country Meats

graphic: sean o'dowd

Boyle Country Meats - why not shop and freeze this weekend for Halloween weekend 31st October!

Roscommon car parking "muddled thinking"?

Double Yellows - "Though shalt not park" - Boyle Rail Station, Thursday 22nd October

www.roscommoncoco.ie: "Did you know that parking in County Roscommon is free?
The caveat: "There is no charge for parking in public car parks in Roscommon, or for on-street parking in any of Roscommon's towns."
Meanwhile in Boyle: €4 charges apply at Boyle Rail Station and Lough Key Forest Park

Quotable quotes:

• ‘Six Nations Championships’, a distance from the champagne rugby and drama of the past month. (Tony Conboy)
Two quotes from way back ...
• "If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it must be a duck."
• "There are none so blind as those who cannot see."
• "I have simple tastes, I am always satisfied with the best."

Ardcarne Garden Centres - Christmas Shops

photo © sean o'dowd

Friday 6th November 5-8pm: The Grand Opening of the Christmas Shops at Ardcarne Garden Centres, Boyle & Roscommon Town, with celebrations continuing all weekend. This eagerly awaited event is a great family occasion every year combining hospitality and entertainment with a sense of community. Enjoy a complementary glass of mulled wine and mince pies while soaking up the magical Christmas atmosphere and help support your local Roscommon/Mayo Hospice. Free Live Musical Entertainment Friday from 5pm - 7.30pm (Boyle & Roscommon Town) and 2pm – 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday (Boyle). The Ardcarne Garden Café will also be offering a ‘Supper Special’ of Beef Stew or Curry, Dessert and Tea, for only €10 on Friday evening 6th November 5-8pm (Boyle).

Roscommon Civic Headquarters

Graphic: Shannonside FM website

Shannonside FM report: The new Civic Headquarters in Roscommon is now expected to be handed over next month. The first date for staff moving into the new state of the art buildings had been set for August of this year but then that was moved forward to October. Boyle area Councillor Valerie Beirne who raised the issue at a meeting of the Boyle Municipal District in recent days was told there had been “some minor delays”, but that the hand-over date was set for Friday November the 6th.