Evening Shadows viewed from the Gaelic Chieftain on the N4

Too many Bank Holidays?

Well what do ya know ... it's almost the weekend again, and last weekend seems like just a couple of days ago. These short weeks are far too frequent for me as I slide ever more quickly towards an older old age. Slow down please, and let me enjoy more 'todays'!

• The 'slide' is bad enough for me, but a new film, The Bling Ring, highlights how teenagers want to broadcast their lives via a screen, rather than savouring the moment. Has this generation lost touch with reality? Sometimes kids can look like they’re living in another world. While the day whirls around them, they’re lost in their mobile phones – photographing, Tweeting, texting, emailing ...

Blue & Green

Blue & Green, that's Boyle this morning! Long may this beautiful summer weather last ...

"Little Guide to the Big House"

This "Little Guide to the Big House" is an excellent reference for anyone wishing to know more about Rockinham House. It features text an photos compiled very well by local girl (lady) Triona Mullaney Dignam. I can recommend this booklet highly and suggest you purchase a copy at any of the following Boyle locations:
• First Chapter (SuperValu), Una bhan, Abbeytown Xpress, Lough Key Visitor Centre
• It is available also in Carrick-on-Shannon at: The Reading Room, Mulveys & Priors

Boyle Musical Society: Celebration Concert last Friday

Friday 31st May: The accomplished, award-winning chorus and soloists came together for what was a truly magical and memorable musical experience. An audience of over 1,000 thoroughly enjoyed the hugely talented BMS cast as they performed big chorus numbers, gave solo and duet performances, and featured songs from Les Miserables, Oklahoma, Blood Brothers, Oliver, Chess, West Side Story, Grease, Sister Act, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sound of Music and many more. A spectacular night’s entertainment indeed!
• More photos [here...]

Moone Boy Series 2 World Premiere

Moone Boy David Rawle and Chris O'Dowd arrive at the Premiere in  Sky rickshaw

Family group with Sky executives at the Moone Boy premiere

Sky TV were sponsors for the "Cat Laugh Comedy Festival" over the weekend. There too, in the Watergate Theatre, was the World Premiere of Series 2 of Moone Boy. The theatre was packed and I believe, thoroughly enjoyed seeing Episodes 1 and 2 of Series 2. The rumour machine told me the series will be transmitted on Sky starting at the end of August. I can promise you there are some great moments and tons of laughs in Series 2.
• Photos from the Moone Boy Series Two Premiere [here...]
• Photos "A walk around Kilkenny" [here...]

Chris O'Dowd "Delighted to be here, can't wait to get in" :-)

June Bank Holiday weekend

For all of us the June bank holiday weekend (once know as Whit Weekend) holds memories. For me, I think of the great All-Ireland Fleadhs (Fleadhanna if you prefer), and in particular the ones held here in Boyle, 1960 and 1966. Basking in sunshine all those years ago, Boyle proudly and brilliantly hosted an interested, entertained, peaceful 50,000 - the largest numbers of people ever seen in the town. Oh my god!, how our world has changed since then!

Reflection

Here we are on a sunny morning in June. The bank holiday weekend has shot us forward to the fourth day of summer. It occurs to me that, like flowers, we are 'growing things' on planet earth, and we too bloom in the sunshine. If it lasts for only a short while, let's give ourselves permission for time to bask in the sun ... God knows we need it.

...Let's also wish good luck and peace of mind today to our secondary school students. The 2013 written Leaving and Junior Cert examinations will star tomorrow, Wednesday 5th June. The Leaving Certificate examinations will finish on Friday 21st June, 2013 and the Junior Certificate examinations will finish on Thursday 20th June, 2013

Band of Brass in King House

Band of Brass

We started the June Bank Holiday on the right note with Band of Brass who performed a special concert in the elegant Main Salon of King House, Boyle on Thursday, 30th May. As guests of Boyle Arts Festival, this talented ensemble of eight accomplished Mayo musicians presented a lively & eclectic programme of well-known brass standards, light jazz & classical favourites under the direction of Ballina native Jackie Greham, M.D. of Castlebar Concert Band.

Boyle Brownie/Girl Guide Gathering - next Saturday

Saturday 1st June: Family Fun Day, 2-6pm in the Pleasure Grounds
• 2pm leprechaun treasure hunt
• 3-5pm carnival theme games.
• 5-6pm campfire singsong with brownie/girl guide gathering.
The girls are providing a free fun day for everyone with lots of imaginative ideas, so hope to see you all there.