Strom Darragh Miscellany
- The fact that there are still homes in the area without power, nearly seven days after Storm Darragh, just goes to show the ferocity of the event – especially here in Boyle and around the North West. The Donegal Weather Channel and other amateur forecasters had predicted the storm on the previous Monday while on Wednesday RTE weather were telling us there would be a breezy weekend ahead.
- The winds came this time from the North West as opposed to the normal southerly direction of pervious storms and the end result was a high number of trees levelled – some that had been standing for hundreds of years – roofs were blown off sheds and the general all round damage is still causing hardship for so many.
- A point of clarification – Irish Water did not decide to undertake essential maintenance just after the storm – even though that’s what their text message said. The works were urgent works undertaken as a result of the Storm.
- Thankfully a number of businesses opened in Boyle on Saturday and Sunday – many under torchlight – to help those who had no supplies stocked up, for what was to become a testing weekend. Add to the mix no water along with no internet coverage and in theory we were really cut off from the outside world here in Boyle. Cooney’s Centra were a God send, as they operated with the assistance of a generator and were able to open for supplies and more importantly, for diesel and petrol for those caught out. In a post online, one customer from Donegal thank Cooney’s saying: “Myself my husband and toddler were travelling to Donegal after the storm. We were on the road hours and couldn’t find anywhere open for fuel or food due to damage after storm Darragh. Our petrol reserve light came on. We pulled up at Ardcarne Garden Centre to see if anyone there could advise and they said you were open. When we got there we realised it was cash only. We had none on us and no phone service. We met Kevin who handled the situation so calmly and sensitively under the pressure of mounting queues for fuel and co ordinating all that. Kevin took our details and allowed us get fuel and food and be reimbursed later. We will never forget this kindness and the hospitality of the people of Roscommon and will give business now anytime we pass through Boyle.”
- So many were ill prepared for the effects of one of the strongest storms in years, because they assumed “Sure it won’t be as bad as they are saying”. If Met Eireann issue a Red Warning – and they did for the coastal counties that surround Roscommon – so by association, Roscommon was under Red, then people needed to take heed. Shame on those who posted laughing emoji’s on the reports we published on Thursday warning of the storm. Let’s hope those same people did not have their homes damaged or a loved one having to work in the storm to ensure all of us stayed safe.
- A number of people also tried to contact us to enquire who should they get in touch with in relation to blocked roads and fallen trees. Unfortunately Roscommon Co Co did not publish an emergency number or communicate as much information as their counterparts in Leitrim and Sligo did. As a result, people were frustrated and did not know where to turn to.
- In fairness to ESB Networks they tried their best to get power resorted and even took to providing food from Thursday for those affected, albeit a distance away from Boyle, in Ballymote, Leitrim Village and Longford.
- Finally, one has to wonder how ESB Networks prioritize who is connected first, or is it on an “easiest first – hardest later” basis? Here in Boyle we have three large nursing homes in our town, which one would assume should get us priority along with a Primary Care facility – that was still without power on Wednesday. This website contacted ESB Networks on Saturday for clarification on when premises would be reconnected and only received a reply Thursday requesting the MPRN numbers of those we were enquiring about – which we obviously could not provide as we were trying to get information for all of Boyle!!
The danger of idle speculation
Many years ago a Scottish company were at an advanced stage of negotiations to locate a call centre in Boyle. Leases were drawn up and meetings held between state agencies, the premises’ owners and the promoters of the project. If it had become a reality, there would have been 30 jobs created in Boyle, but unfortunately, just as the project was at a critical stage of negotiations, certain speculative details of the project were published locally online which generated unfound and damaging comments and the promoters pulled away and everyone lost out.
Why is it in Boyle, that we have Facebook pages (not Boyletoday) that allow speculative gossip to be published? So please, for the betterment of Boyle, think before you engage in online idle gossip that could damage any planned developments, just like happened years ago to the Scottish project mentioned above.
The process of reporting an infrastructural problem locally
It’s hard to imagine, but the two street lights at the bottom of Marian Road, facing the Pleasure Ground are now out of service for over two years! The light at the former National Irish Bank is even longer out, having been first flagged with Electric Skyline in March 2022 – and there are many more. Why is it taking so long for these lights – many at key junctions in Boyle – to be replaced? Despite the efforts of many to consistently report the problem, nothing is being done. Maybe if Electric Skyline got a large number of reports something might be done (you can report here).
While on the subject of reporting problems, not many people are aware that the first port of call when you need to report an infrastructural problem in your area is via myonlineservices with Roscommon County Council. You can access the service here and report a number of issues that may need attention. Failing this, your local Councillor may be able to help and there is a full list of their contact details here.
Viewer queries future use of An Rioga
A viewer has been in touch with us to express their concern at the usage of the upper floors of An Rioga. Viewers will recall that the former Royal Hotel was renamed An Rioga following major renovations, with the public being informed it was to be used as a community and civic space. Now open nearly eighteen months, the only facility in operation in the building is an Art Gallery (which has received glowing praise from all who have visited the Gallery and is a great addition to a town that is steeped in the Arts). The viewer continued: “I have just read that the Council is renting out a floor in An Rioga to a private company. Where will the rental money be spent? In Boyle I hope. We have so many other empty office in Boyle that are privately owned so why are the Council competing with them? Was it not state money that paid for the building to be renovated for the public? Surely we need to keep An Rioga for the people of Boyle to use as meeting rooms and activity facilities for the town folk, both elderly and young people. The Art gallery and shop is great to have and something we can all enjoy. I have contacted the Councillor who proposed the the approval to rent the offices’ floor to this company and asked where the rental money would be going. Recently I had one of my friends asking to use one of the rooms for a meeting and she was refused”.
Town Centre survey now available online
Back in November a number of students from NUI Galway were in Boyle conducting a survey for the ‘Boyle Town Health Check’. They came at a time of disruption, as work was progressing on the public realm of Bridge Street and Shop Street, so no doubt the responses they got may have been a bit tainted!! But now the questionnaire is available online for those who were not in Boyle on the day of the survey or those living away from home with an interest in our town. Please do not use the survey as a way to vent your anger at certain developments – it is being conducted to better the town centre and with that in mind you can access the survey here.
An Post issues Christmas postage information
An Post has issued the following information in advance of Christmas: Post Offices nationwide will open all day this Saturday 14th and next Saturday 21st. Full letter and parcel deliveries nationwide this Saturday 14th December. Final dates for posting are coming up and An Post is encouraging customers to not leave it till the last minute to post their final Christmas cards and parcels. For posting cards to Rest of Europe, Tuesday 17th is the final date for posting for delivery in time for Christmas. For posting cards and parcels to England, Scotland and Wales, Wednesday 18th is the final date for posting for delivery in time for Christmas. For posting cards and parcels to Northern Ireland, Thursday 19th is the final date for posting for delivery in time for Christmas. And lastly, for posting within the Republic of Ireland, customers have until Saturday December 21st to send their parcels and Sunday 22nd for cards.
News snippets from around Boyle
You can now book a ‘seat in the heat’ at the new ‘Ce Sauna’ on the shore of Lough Key. Further details and bookings here…………The launch of ‘The Stories from Miscellany of Memories and Melodies” will take place in Clancy’s Bar (note change of venue) on Sunday December 15th at 3pm……..Christmas Courtyard market in Boyle this Saturday from 10am – 2pm with lots of crafted gifts and the local food produce for your festive dinners………Brothers of Charity Christmas Craft Fair this Friday (10am-5pm) and Saturday (11am-2pm) in La Nua on Shop Street in Boyle……….Storm Darragh has sidelined the ESB crews who were working on dismantling the overhead power lines on Shop Street. It now looks like that will not happen before Christmas……….Choral Christmas Concert on Saturday December 14th in St. Michael’s Church, Cootehall at 7pm. Admission €15. Tickets available at the door…….Boyle Film Club final screening of the year tonight (Friday) at 7.30pm in Boyle Family Resource Centre……….Christmas Disco in Lough Key Forest Park Visitors Centre at 2pm on Saturday with Carol Singing at the same venue on Sunday at 1.30pm.
And finally…..!
A young man named Tom bought a horse from a farmer for €250.
The farmer agreed to deliver the horse the next day.
The farmer drove up to Tom’s house and said: “sorry son, but I have some bad news – the horse died”.
Tom replied: “well then, just give me my money back”
The farmer said: “can’t do that… I spent it already”
Tom said: “Ok then, just bring me the dead horse”
The farmer asked: “and what are you going to do with him”
Tom said: “I am going to raffle him off”
“You can’t raffle off a dead horse” said the farmer
“Sure I can, just watch me” said Tom “I just won’t tell anyone he’s dead”
A month later the farmer met Tom and asked: “What ever happened to that dead horse”
Tom said: “I raffled him off like I told you I would. I sold 500 tickets at €5 each and made a profit of €2245
The farmer asked: “And did anyone complain?”
Tom replied: “No – just the guy who won, so I gave him his €5 back!”
