The stark reality locally of COVID-19
The stark reality that we had 14 COVID-19 deaths in County Roscommon up to the end of October and the news that there was another 18 cases in the county one day during the week shows how deadly this virus is and how quickly it can spread. The data from the CSO up to the end of October also shows the median age of those who died in the county was 84, and of the 792 confirmed cases, the median age of those diagnosed with COVID was 40. The CSO figures do not go into detail for each area, but it is widely known that Boyle town does seem to have a number of positive cases. But while there is known cases of COVID in Boyle among older people, a number of younger people and in work settings, really Boyle itself has been unjustifiably painted with the wrong brush with many assuming the high incidence rate in the Boyle LEA is in fact Boyle town, which is not the case. (Population of the LEA is 21,831 and a 14 day incidence rate of 270.3 – see story on our homepage this morning). But the fact does remain that COVID is spreading in our town and we all need to be extra vigilant to stop the transmission of this deadly virus. (See also our weekly poll at the bottom of the homepage on Boyletoday.com)
Boyle not included in 2010 CIE Tour itinerary
It is unfortunate that Boyle Abbey, King House or Lough Key Forest Park are not included in the new CIE Tours promotion for 2021, especially when the companies ‘Irish Spirit 8 Day Tour’ and ‘Scots Irish Tour’ are going to spend two nights each in nearby Kilronan Castle. Arigna Mining Experience and a trip to Sligo are included on the itinerary, but Boyle, with all it has to offer the tourist, is left out. One wonders how CIE pick the day trips to include on these tours?? For those interested, the Scots Irish Tour is not cheap starting at €2395 and the Irish Spirit Tour at €1690!
Does the rain stop at county boundaries?
While Met Eireann forecast the weather correctly – most of the time, one has to question the way they compile their weather warning graphics. On Wednesday last they issued a Status Yellow rainfall warning for parts of the West including all county’s surrounding Roscommon but not for Roscommon itself. But on Wednesday afternoon, as we all know, the skies opened over Boyle and we had torrential rain resulting in flooding around the town and county with An Garda Siochana contacting Boyletoday.com on Wednesday evening to advise motorists of treacherous road conditions. Perhaps Met Eireann think the weather stops at county boundaries? When checking out the weather forecast it can also be beneficial to look at the Donegal Weather Channel in addition to Met Eireann and then make your own mind up.
Illegal parking on Cycleway
A viewer has been in contact with the Boyle’d Pot to express their concern at cars continually parking at the entrances to the Lough Key to Boyle cycleway. In particular they mentioned the two entrances, left and right just inside the second Gate of Rockingham and also the entrance into Kilbryan Wood as one approached the Beech Walk from the Park. The viewer questioned what would happen if a person had a heart attack or fell on the cycleway and an emergency vehicle had to gain access to the trail? With cars parked across the entrance to the cycleway, this would not be possible. Also of concern is the illegal parking of cars as one joins the cycleway just inside the First Gate. There is an fairly obvious ‘No Parking’ sign there but amazingly people continually abandon their cars right under the sign! The cycleway is a great asset to the area but please be considerate of others and do not park in any area that blocks an entry or exit to the facility.
Silent skies over Boyle
From this Saturday, the familiar sight over Boyle of aircraft on decent to Ireland West Airport Knock will be no more – well for the next month anyway. As a result of the COVID crisis, the airport is closing until Sunday December 13th with the 11.35am flight from Liverpool this morning being the last one into the airport for the next 30 days or so.
The closure was inevitable, and is a smart move by management, as currently there are only a trickle of flights arriving daily. With state funding announced on Tuesday for IWAK and the pride and support the people of the west have in the facility, hopefully we will see one of the regions greatest assets in ‘full flight’ again mid December so we can welcome our friends and relations home for Christmas.
Opportunities arise for town centre living
Varying circumstances has led to a number of houses and commercial premises coming on the market in Boyle in recent times. Of interest is the number of homes for sale close to or in the middle of Boyle. This is welcome as the future of living for many is most likely going to be in town centres. While the various projects that are planed for Boyle have been painstakingly slow to get started, they will happen and with them will come the attraction of town centre living. Local estate agents will tell you of an increase in enquires in both residential and commercial properties in Boyle during Level Five restrictions. Perhaps the restrictions have given people an opportunity to plan their future and they see Boyle as a town with an exciting future and a great community spirit and a place they would like to be part of. You can view residential property for sale in Boyle here and commercial property here
And finally……!
A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird’s chest.
After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, “I’m sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away.”
The distressed woman wailed, “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead,” replied the vet..
“How can you be so sure?” she protested. “I mean you haven’t done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something.”
The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever.
As the duck’s owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head.
The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room. A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.
The vet looked at the woman and said, “I’m sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck.”
The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman..
The duck’s owner, still in shock, took the bill. “€200!” she cried, “€200 just to tell me my duck is dead!”
The vet shrugged, “I’m sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been €50, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it’s now €200.”
