Wednesday’s Weather
TODAY – Wednesday 22nd March: Bright and blustery with sunny spells and scattered showers. By afternoon, the showers will become frequent, merging to longer spells of rain at times. Top temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees.
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Daffodils
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Breege O’Dowd R.I.P.
The death has occurred of Breege O’Dowd, Tullyboy (The Bungalow), Boyle, Co.Roscommon and formerly of Dodderpark Road, Rathfarnhan, Dublin and former AIB staff Sligo, Galway and Ballsbridge, Monday 20th March 2023. Breege passed away after a short aggressive illness which she fought with courage under the excellent care of both Sligo and Galway Hospitals, spending her final days under the tender care of Palliative Staff of Roscommon Hospice to whom we will be ever grateful.
Predeceased by her Parents Tom and Bridie O’Dowd and her nephew Oscar. Breege will be sadly missed by her brothers Tom (Dublin) and Matt (Tullyboy), her sisters Marion (Wicklow) and Teresa (Enfield) sisters-in-laws Siobhan and Eileen, brothers-in-laws Neville and Matt, nieces Sarah and Grainne, nephews Brian, Andrew, Matthew, David, Dominic, Niall, Barry,Tom,Kevin and Brendan, relatives, neighbours and friends.
“May Breege rest in peace”
Breege will repose at her brother Matt’s home in Tullyboy Farm (F52 TD91) Boyle on Wednesday, 22nd March, from 3pm to 7pm. Removal on Thursday 23rd to St Michael’s Church, Croghan (F52 N510) for funeral Mass at 1pm followed by burial to Eastersnow Cemetery.
Thank you to friends and neighbours for their valued support at this difficult time. Donations, if desired, to Roscommon Hospice or Irish Cancer Society. Further enquiries to Alo O’Dowd,Funeral Director at (087) 9195202.
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Roscommon LEADER Partnership – HIRING
Roscommon Herald 21st March
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Boyle GAA Club – Update
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Boyle Celtic Development Project
Launch of Boyle Celtic Development Project to be held in King House on Friday next (March 24th)
Boyle Celtic F.C. are delighted to announce that the first phase of a major infrastructure development project is set to commence in the coming weeks. For those interested in hearing more about this exciting new development, there will be an official launch taking place in King House on Friday next (March 24th) at 8pm.
Since early-2021, the club has been engaged in an extensive fundraising drive for the purpose of upgrading its sporting facilities. The upgrading was deemed necessary due to a significant growth in membership over recent years, which meant that the pitch was unable to cope with the increasing demand.
This led to the decision to plan a major re-development project at the site of Celtic Park, to include a state-of-the-art 4G all-weather pitch including an upgrade to the existing Astro training pitch.
The work will be undertaken by PST Sport, a leading artificial grass company with a proven track record for building exceptional sports surfaces. Representatives from PST Sport, including former Kerry footballer Kieran Donaghy, will be in attendance at King House on the night to speak about the project and answer any questions.
We would encourage all interested parties to attend this exciting launch, followed by the club’s weekly 50/50 Draw which will take place in Dodd’s Bar on the Crescent.
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The Toon Team – Boris
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Boyle Golf Club
Daffodil Day 2023
Daffodil Day 2023, Friday 24th March. All donations would be gratefully appreciated.
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Anne Patricia Mullan R.I.P.
The death has occurred of Anne Patricia Mullan, 24 Forest View, Boyle, Roscommon / Castlebar, Mayo, Peacefully, in the exceptional care of the Mayo Hospice, Castlebar.
Predeceased by her mother Dympna and father Harry.
Survived by her heartbroken family, sisters Geraldine (Boyle), Helen (UK), brother Harry (USA), brother-in-law Andrew, her nieces, nephews, neighbours and wide circle of friends.
May She Rest In Peace
Those who wish to express their condolences, may do so via the condolence link below. Mass cards or condolences can be forwarded to Sweeney Funeral Directors, Boyle. Private messages of condolence & shared memories can be forwarded to sweeneyfuneraldirectors@gmail.com.
Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, to the Mayo Hospice.
Funeral Arrangements Later
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Carmel McGinn R.I.P.
The death has occurred of Carmel McGinn (née Cox), Kiltycreighton, Boyle, Roscommon, Peacefully at home, after a brief illness borne with dignity and strength.
Survived by her heartbroken family, her husband Chris, daughter Sabrina (Downes), son in law Eamon, sisters, brothers, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and wide circle of friends.
May She Rest In Peace
Those who wish to express their condolences, may do so via the condolence link below. Mass cards or condolences can be forwarded to Sweeney Funeral Directors, Boyle. Private messages of condolence & shared memories can be forwarded to sweeneyfuneraldirectors@gmail.com.
Funeral Arrangements Later
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Boyle St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2023
James Joseph (Ginger) McElroy R.I.P.
Frank O’Mahoney R.I.P.
Recommendations …
I love taking the opportunity to recommend local businesses for their courteous, prompt service, great prices and follow-up attention to detail.
Greenan Electrical on Main Street supplied me with a new TV, including setup and advice. Thank you to John Greenan, Michael Brennan and Betty Greenan … it is a pleasure dealing with you !!!
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Job Opportunity at Roscommon LEADER Partnership
All Ireland Credit Union Quiz Final
Boyle Camera Club
After the meeting break saw the club host a table-top photography shoot for all present and new members Members were previously asked to bring something small to be photographed
It was a learning curve for everyone, getting to know each other with good intensions, laughter and insight
to better photography.
Below is an image in the clubhouse with thanks to Sean O’Rourke for taking time out to capture the sleeping dragon
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Boyle Pleasure Grounds
Boyle Sculpture Trail at Boyle River and The Pleasure Grounds
Roscommon Co Council has funded professional and contemporary works in sculpture, made in a manner and from materials suitable for permanent exhibition outdoors – Works that require low maintenance.
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Roscommon Herald 14th March
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Maria Doyle Kennedy for Boyle Arts Festival 2023
Boyle Arts Festival is delighted to announce that another headline artist for BAF 2023 will be Maria Doyle Kennedy.
Maria, who has sustained a varied and eclectic career in the Arts for more than three decades, will be joined by her husband Kieran Kennedy for a spellbinding performance in the Church of Ireland, on Monday, July 24th. Details of when tickets are due to go on sale will be announced shortly.
Music is Maria’s first love and following time spent ín several bands, she set up her own record label in 2000 and has released 11 solo albums to date. Her most recent album ‘Fire on the roof of Eden’ was listed by the Irish Times in their ‘albums of the year’ and Hot Press described her as “one of Ireland’s most accomplished vocalists and a national treasure”.
She collaborates in almost all her work with her husband Kieran Kennedy (her partner in life, music and many crimes) and together they are raising four sons.
Maria and Kieran last performed at Boyle Arts Festival in 2016.
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The Toon Team – Free Holiday
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Darkness Into Light 2023
Darkness Into Light Co Roscommon will be launched on Saturday, March 25th in The Moylurg Room, Lough key forest park, Boyle at 2:30pm. Refreshments will be made available.
Chairpersons of the Boyle, Ballaghaderreen, Castlerea, Roscommon Town & Strokestown committees, are encouraging the local community to attend.
The community of Boyle has been incredibly supportive of the event since our first year in 2017.
Last year, 800 people took part from the local community, and we would love to see that number go up this year.
Suicide and self-harm continue to be serious problems throughout Ireland and we need to work together to raise funds to ensure Pieta can continue to provide its vital service across the country.
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Boyle Shop Windows St. Patrick’s Day 2023
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St. Joseph’s Parish Newsletter
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Tawnytaskin Community Centre
Patrick (Paddy) Nicholson R.I.P.
Scoil na nAingeal Naofa
• Comhghairdeas le Clíodhna O’Donnell (múinteoir), Maria Hamill (SNA), Anne Kennedy (TY student Abbey Community College) agus Rang a cúig, Scoil na nAingeal Naofa. Bhuaigh siad Comórtas Chumann Scoil Drámaíochta Ros Comáin inné. Glacfaidh na cailíní páirt i gComórtas Chonnachta ar son Ros Comáin. Is iontach an t-éacht é seo don scoil agus do mhuintir Mhainistir na Búille araon.
The Toon Team – Sinead
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Defence Forces to withdraw 130 Irish troops
THE DEFENCE FORCES are to withdraw from the UN peacekeeping mission on the Golan Heights in Syria. Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin today informed the Government of the decision to withdraw from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).
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‘Devastating loss’ of Irish plant life
More than half of Ireland’s native plants are in decline, while many of the habitats on which Irish wild plants depend have been destroyed or altered by farming and forestry since the 1950s, according to a 20-year study.
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The Irish Tricolour
175 years ago this week Thomas Francis Meagher, flew the Irish Tricolour for the first time ever on the Island of Ireland at 33 the Mall, Waterford City
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No insurance on 1 in 12 private vehicles in Ireland
The MIBI said the level of uninsured vehicles here is now three times that of the UK and four times that found across the EU and EEA. 1 in every 12 private vehicles on Irish roads are uninsured according to research recently published by the organisation.
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Brogan’s Chemco Pharmacy
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Drumderrig House Nursing Home
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Abbey Haven Care Centre & Nursing Home
Ardcarne Garden Centre
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Tai Chi Chinese Restaurant
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Stride-Beyond Coaching
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Stewarts Oil
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Siobhan Gallagher Coaching
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Sean Carty Cars
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Marians Fashions
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Magees Fashion Shop
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Roscommon Herald 7th March
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The Toon Team – Dail Pay
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Boyle Golf Club
Lakeside Cafe, Lough Key Forest Park
Lakeside Cafe, a comfortable, warm, nicely decorated space in the Activity Centre with friendly staff and great food.
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Roscommon Cllr Waldron (God help us) hasn’t a clue !!!
Councillor Tony Waldron is making comments after discovering the crest features a sheep breed that isn’t native to the county.
In a joint motion with Councillor Liam Callaghan at Monday’s Roscommon County Council Meeting , he believes the crest should highlight the county’s native Whig breed.
1. There is no such breed as “Whig” !!!
2. Attached is the correct crest … and any other representation is incorrect!!!
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Boyle St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2023
Lift for Boyle Rail Station
Notice has been published that Iarnrod Eireann has applied for permission for a development at Boyle Rail Station.
The structure is intended to include concrete and steel elements, a pair of staircases (two flights each), free-standing lift shafts and a walkway.
This is a very welcome development and will confirm the company’s confidence and future in Boyle.
The rail station in Edgeworthstown has a similar lift structure etc, pictured here.
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Online Piano Lessons
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Roscommon Herald 21st February
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The Toon Team – Unfinished Royal
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tor has confirmed.
“Excellent news regarding the catering services on trains, they will return on a phased basis from the end of March, starting with the Dublin to Cork route,” he told The Hard Shoulder.
“It’s very important that catering services are an essential part of train travel for commuters and tourists alike.
“From my own research… Ireland is currently the only country in Western Europe that doesn’t provide rail catering services.”
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Boyle St Patrick’s Day Parade 2023
Boyle St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee has agreed to run our annual St Patrick’s Day Parade at 3.30pm on 17.03.2023. Anyone wishing to help or Volunteer with the parade committee would be great – please email boyleparade@gmail.com
There will be generous prize money and cups. Overall winner €500 and cup
- Runner up €200
• Under 16’s winner €200 and cup
• Under 16’s runner up €100
• Best shop window Cup
• Vintage Vehicle Cup
To fund our parade we will launch Go Fund Me Page later this month and all donations greatly appreciated
many thanks, Boyle Parade Committee.
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Scheduled flights from Knock to the US have returned after a 16 year absence.
People now have the opportunity to fly from Ireland West Airport in Knock via Heathrow Airport in London to New York, Boston, Washington and many more places with Aer Lingus and their codeshare partners British Airways, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Iberia, JetBlue and United Airlines.
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Boyle Yoga Shack – 2023 Timetable
Monday
6.30pm – Gentle Movement
8pm – Strong ‘n’ Satisfying
Tuesday
10am – Gentle Flow
1.10-1.50pm – Lunchtime Dip
6.30pm – Beginners
8pm – Blokes Flow
Interested? Contact Mags on 086 836 0111
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The Toon Team – Hospital Bed
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Missed opportunities at Lough Key Forest Park
While it is true that people are delighted to have ‘The Park’ so close to Boyle as a day-time, go-to resort, things might have evolved differently. Back in time and at different times two families, Bleshim and Lahiff, operated a very successful restaurant and shop on the site.
Ed Sheerin, Strokestown/New Yorker hoped to raise money to build holiday lodges, but that never happened. Later a Canadian company produced a plan to build approximately 300 holiday lodges in the park. This company later became bankrupt.
Since then we have seen successful projects developed: Center Parcs near Ballymahon, Co Longford and Cabu Cabins near Killeshandra, Co Cavan. Closer to home, fast developing, beautiful Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway with its timber lodges is located a mile from Leitrim Village.
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A short history of the L.Key Forest Park resort area (as I remember it)
The King Harman family gifted the resort area to the cash-starved Boyle Development Company. The area was then gifted to the Department of Forestry and Wildlife and under John Dwane a large restaurant and mini-market were built, the car parks were developed and a boat hire business was started. People came from near and far to experience the Lough Key Experience. Green-blazered attendants directed traffic to parking areas. There were several plans for further developments, and when the Dept of Forestry was disbanded, overnight the project was gifted to Coillte.
Then, a Strokestown/New Yorker held up further development for seven years while attempting to raise money for his visions for The Park.
Somewhere during this period, local activist and later TD, Frank Feighan started the Lough Key Action Group (was that it’s title?). A large group of interested persons travelled by train with Frank. We marched from Connolly Station to the Coillte HQ hoping for action on The Park.
The above is my hazy, maybe not totally accurate account of what happened. Perhaps viewers may add to my account or correct me where I was not accurate …
PS/ I published this account after checking at the time with a now-deceased local solicitor who assured me that my version of events was substantially correct !!!
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Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway
Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway and surrounds are magnets for me. It is a developing magical facility between LEITRIM Village and Beirnes of Battlebridge … a true ‘getaway from it all’.
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The Toon Team – Handsome Jack
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The Toon Team – Second Gate
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Center Parcs
Center Parcs Longford Forest Holiday Resort is located a few miles from Ballymahon, Co. Longford. We thoroughly enjoyed an end-of-June family holiday there. Grandparents, Parents and Grandchildren agreed that Center Parcs Longford Forest is a magical place and well worth time spent there. We enjoyed loads of activities, restaurants and beautiful Timber-clad Lodge accommodation options tucked away amongst the trees, offering everything for a perfect short break, including Ireland’s largest water park, a Subtropical Swimming Paradise …
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Sketches – entrance to L. Key Forest Park from the N4
“Non Nationals” – a short story by John Mulligan
Sketches
Sketching, for me, is a challenging, occasional activity I have enjoyed since I was a pre-teen. Now in this Covid Lockdown era I find myself “drawn-to-drawing” with a renewed energy. “High Art” … certainly not … !!