Louise leaves Lough Key Forest Park in a strong position
Best wishes are extended to Louise Fitzpatrick, who will depart her position as Manager of Lough Key Forest and Activity Park in the New Year. Louise is making a career change after 16 years guiding the Park to where it is today. Under Louise’s management, visitor numbers to Park have increased and new activities have been added along with winning a number of awards. Always available for a media enquiry and with an interest in not only developing the Park, but Boyle in general, Louise is wished the best in her new career and thanked for all her assistance over the years. She leaves at a time of exciting change with the ‘Lough Key Masterplan’ soon to be unveiled which will further add to the viability and growth of Boyle’s premier tourist attraction.
Online abuse and fake Facebook accounts have not gone away
Two items in last week’s Boyle’d Pot seem to have touched a nerve with some viewers and one viewer in particular. The first item related to the factual comment that far right thinking people are living among us (for which we thank those who sent us further evidence to back up our statement), while the second item related to the existence of fake Facebook accounts.
On Friday evening at 17.30, Boyletoday received a Facebook message from a fake account referencing far right people in our community. This message was ignored as it came from a fictitious account. But ignoring the message seems to have annoyed the person behind the account even more. At 16.48 on Saturday evening the abuse from the same Facebook account really started. This writer was accused of being the person who cancelled an event in Boyle scheduled for Friday last (which is 100% incorrect). The Facebook poster then went on to reference my deceased father, my wife, my children, my businesses and my personal appearance, calling me the F and C word throughout the post, finishing with how they thought my businesses would end up – in fact, no stone was left unturned.
Being long enough in this game and thick skinned by nature, the post was ignored but not before being reported to Facebook and Gardai.
Last weekend’s barrage of abuse was reminiscent of the online personal abuse hurdled at this writer during the Covid Crisis, when this blog suggested people should get their vaccine, wear their mask and abide by the restrictions that were in place at that time.
One has to wonder why do people think it is acceptable to hide behind a fictitious online account and hurdle mistruths and hate filled, ill informed abuse at others? What does it say about that person?
Perhaps their energy would be better spent assisting those of us who are trying to make Boyle a better place instead of hiding behind a keyboard and spouting utter rubbish while trying to remain anonymous.
Christmas Market in Ballinafad
The Old Schoolhouse Community Cafe in Ballinafad will host their annual Christmas Market on Saturday December 2nd from 10.30am to 1.30pm. On the day there will be crafts and treats to make the perfect gift. There will also be homemade bakes available to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. All are welcome.
Property and land at Doon for sale next week
A derelict detached cottage on “a prime elevated site” extending to approximately 3.23 hectares (8 acres) at Doon outside Boyle will be sold by public auction next week with an AMV of €200,000. The house and lands are on the left as one travels down to the Doon Shore. Described as having “spectacular views of Lough Key Lake, the cottage extends to approximately 42 sq. m (452 sq. ft) and requires extensive restoration. This property is an ideal renovation project and offers excellent development potential for new owners (subject to obtaining all necessary planning consents)”.
Boyle to feature on RTE Radio show
Boyle is set to feature on an upcoming RTE Radio 1 programme “Small Town Trends”. The four part series is presented by John Murray and it looks at the challenges facing small Irish towns as they adapt to changes happening all around them. To date, Newtownmountkennedy and Abbeyleix have featured while Boyle and Virginia will make up the remainder show which will be broadcast before Christmas with further deatils here on Boyletoday.com closer to the date.
News snippets from around Boyle
Bishop Kevin will present well know Boyle woman Breege Duffy with a Benemerenti Medal during the Vigil Mass on Saturday evening in St. Joseph’s Church. The medal is being presented to Breege in recognition of her commitment to the Folk Group for over 40 years. Refreshments will be served after in the Resource Centre………….Croghan NS will hold a ‘Monster Auction Night’ tonight Friday December 1st in the Four Provinces, Rathallen commencing at 8pm………..The new flag poles at the entrances to King House are a great addition and will hopefully draw attention to the House by those passing by………..Work is now complete on the new flexible dividers along the cycleway from First to Second Gate of Rockingham. The previous wooden dividers were vandalised back in March 2022. Let’s hope they are left in place this time…………Roscommon RSPCA annual church gate collection takes place after all Masses this weekend in Boyle……….Two upcoming AGM’s to make note of – Boyle LGFA will hold their meeting on Friday December 1st (tonight) at 8.30pm in the clubhouse, while Boyle GAA will host their AGM on Friday December 8th at 8.30pm also in the clubhouse……..Congratulations and well done to Boyle lady Grainne Creighton who edited the brilliant but poignant documentary ‘ Patrick: A Young Traveller Lost’ which aired on RTE TV on Monday night last………The launch takes place tonight Friday 1st of ‘Moygara Castle and the O’Gara’s of Coolavin’ by Kieran O’Connor at Ceolaras Coleman in Gurteen. The book will be launched by Dr. Rachel Moss, Department of History, Art and Architecture, Trinity College………Tractor Run season is upon us with the first of the events taking place this Saturday when the Ballinameen Tractor Run visits Boyle between 5.30pm and approximately 6pm……..King House will be open for the public on Saturday 2nd, 9th, 16th December from 11am. For more information please contact King House on 087 14 44739.
And finally…..!
Mickie is on ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ and he is doing very well.
He is at the final question for a million pounds with Chris Tarrant.
He has only one life line left….phone a friend.
The question comes: “Which bird does not make a nest?,:
A) a Sparrow, B) a Swallow, C) a Blackbird or D) a Cuckoo
Mickie has no idea so he calls his friend John.
John answers ‘I know that one – it’s a cuckoo -100%.’
Mickie wins the million pounds and is very happy man.
Afterward Mickie rings John and asks him ‘You seemed very confident with that answer – how were you so sure”?
John replies: “Mickie, Are you thick, sure everyone knows a cuckoo lives in a clock…’
