Delight at new Garda Station hours
The change in opening hours at Boyle Garda Station are most welcome. Now there is consistency in opening unlike heretofore when every day had a different opening time. The changes can be attributed to a handful of local people who kept the pressure on the Garda authorities to ensure the hours became more user friendly. The matter has been kept in the public domain by this blog for the last few years. In recent times it was raised at the Roscommon Joint Policing Committee Meetings, culminating in a proposal going to the Garda authorities following discussion at Town Team and Chamber of Commerce level. The file that was subsequently presented to the authorities included the 2000 signature petition that was collected by local election candidate Eddie Conroy and his followers and friends during the local election campaign. To have got the matter this far, Chief Superintendent Rattigan, Superintendent Boyle and Sergeant Lennon in Boyle station deserve special praise for liaising with those who lobbied for new hours and for acting on their word that they would see if change was possible. While we would all like to see 24 hour opening at the station, that probably will not happen at any stage yet. Lets be happy with the new arrangement and turn our attention now to see if additional Gardai can be assigned to Boyle station.
All bets on Seanie to cook up a winner
There is sure to be a loud local support for Boyle man Sean (Purcey) Purcell as he takes to the kitchen on Sunday week 27th November as a guest chef in the “Christmas Made Easy Cookery Demo & Cook Off” which will take place in the Landmark Hotel. Roscommon and Boyle footballer Sean will join two other guest chefs on the night – Michelle Guckian and Ronnie Duignan – as they battle it out to see who has the best culinary skills. The event will raise funds for Carrick Christmas Village with a donation going to the Mater Foundation Heart Appeal Sudden Adult Death Syndrome appeal. Tickets at €20 adult and €10 children or €50 family available from the Landmark Hotel.
Concern once again at rail line’s future
The National Transport Authority Rail Review which was launched during the week raised concern once again on the future of many rail services with the Dublin Sligo line, which passes through Boyle, coming in for mention. To the punter on the street, it seems amazing that Irish Rail cannot make money. Our rail line, which they say is unprofitable, never has adequate seating on Friday and Sunday. Peak time trains are also full to near dangerous levels. But if you look at the customer profile on these services you may find part of the problem. The majority of inter city rail users are students on discounted fares and pensioners who have free travel and are not adding to the finances of the company. The normal working person does not use the train as they cannot afford a train ticket and don’t even think of bringing a family on the service such is the prohibitive price. One wonders if more carriages at peak times, more affordable fares and special offers and the use of free travel at off peak times only would increase passengers and ultimately revenue. A reduction in the price of drinks and snacks on the trains would also increase revenue in the long term as people would buy more. Why not bring back the dining car? Once upon a time you could get your breakfast going up to Dublin and you tea coming home, but not any more. As said previously in this blog, we need to be vigilant or our rail service could slip away from us just like other services have previously.
We should be proud of the town’s Christmas Lights
Two cold wintery nights work this week is all it took for the Boyle Christmas Lights to be erected by a hardy band of volunteers. It’s a big change from the efforts of many years ago when ladders and weeks of labour intensive effort ensured the town looked festive for the Christmas season. Hats off to Aideen and Mick from The Bazaar on Bridge St who surprised the Thursday night lights crew with hot tea as they brave the sleet and snow to get the lights erected. Kind gestures like that are noted and respected. In addition to Christmas lights, Boyle will this year have a large lit up Christmas Tree on the Plaza area of the Crescent. This will be a welcome addition. Many towns have no Christmas lights at all but here in Boyle we have a great display with new features added every year. The lights are something we should all be proud of.
Boyle woman on RTE News
While on the subject of rail problems, it was great to see a Boyle native on the RTE news on Tuesday evening speaking with knowledge about the problems rail users face in the south of the country. Virginia O’Dowd, who is originally from the Carrick Road spoke on behalf of the Nenagh Rail Partnership, a community group who works with Irish Rail to improve rail services between Limerick and Ballybrophy. No stranger to the camera, Virgina is a former Mayor of Nenagh, and an ex town and county councillor along with being deputy chairperson of north Tipperary County Council. Virginia is a regular visitor to Boyle.
Lack of one way warning signs in Boyle
A viewer got in touch with the Boyle’d Pot during the week seeking to highlight the lack of road markings around Boyle. Of particular concern was the lack of signage as you exit the Royal Hotel Car Park informing motorists that there is no right turn. The viewer also said that on one day recently they counted four cars coming down Marian Road from the Fire Station as there is inadequate signage there also. In addition, the person wondered why there is no pedestrian crossing at the bottom of Marian Road to facilitate those who want to go to the Pleasure Grounds.
And finally….!
Jimmy phoned the ISPCA and said, “I’ve just found a suitcase in the woods, it contains a fox and four cubs.”
“That’s terrible,” replied the operator, “Are they moving?”
“I’m not sure, to be honest” said Jimmy, “But I suppose that would explain the suitcase.”
