A theory on how St. Joseph’s Church caught fire
It is hard to believe, but it will be 48 years ago on Saturday week April 26th, since the old St. Joseph’s Church in Boyle was destroyed by fire. While discussing the event recently, a viewer asked did anyone know how the fire started?
There were many theories doing the rounds at the time, including one that did not get the attention it deserved. A sixth class student in St Joseph’s Boys National School was cycling back to school that day, a few minutes late, after his lunch break. As he passed along the Church Avenue he seen a suspicious looking man entering the Church by the side door. When the student got to the school and sat at his desk he looked over towards the church and seen smoke billowing from the Church and alerted his teacher who went out to the corridor to discuss it with his colleagues. By that time, the alarm had already been raised by Fr. Breslin and Boyle Fire Brigade was enroute.
Later that evening at approximately 5pm, the same student, along with many of his friends, was still in the Church grounds watching the 95 year old place of worship lie in a pile of rubble and smoke. In the background he saw the same man whom he witnessed enter St Joseph’s at 2pm earlier that day. He told a family member who was with him and they suggested he tell a Garda, whom he knew, that was present. The Garda dismissed the young lad’s story and never even looked at or for the man.
Perhaps the same man was innocent – or guilty – that we will never know.
Castle to Cave Camino on Saturday
The annual ‘Castle 2 Cave Camino’ will take place from Keash, County Sligo on Saturday. The Camino is a looped 34km walk with the option of a 24k. Starting at Eastern Harps Clubhouse in Keash this route has breath taking views along historical trail roads taking in the Caves of Keash, Templevanny, Corricknahorna, Aughanagh, Ballinafad, Bunnadubber, Limnagh Bog then crossing over the R295 and continuing over by Derrygola, Dernaskeagh on to Toomour, Daughloonagh before getting back to base.
All of these locations are steeped in history, folklore myths and legends. There are spectacular views over the landscape of County Sligo from the back of Ceis Chorainn on to Templevanney with assent and decent views over Lough Arrow, Ballinafad village and Ballinafad Castle also the Curlieu Mountains are running in close proximity to the famed Carrowkeel Megalithic Tombs.
Along with 3 official water stops, you can stop off at the Community Café in Ballinafad at the half way mark for refreshments before you head off again passing the Red Earls Road and taking the assent towards Limnagh Bog awash with flower, faunagh and wildlife, Squirrels, Pine Martens, Jay Birds, ducks and if you really observant some wild deer to mention a few. These wild animals will compliment the local docile sheep, cows, horses and donkeys together with their young that you would expect to see in mid April. Then you arrive back to the Eastern Harps GAA clubhouse for a hot meal.
Changing rooms along with hot showers are available to all participants who will be presented with souvenirs of their day and if you have the energy you can round off the day with music and different beverages to suit all taste buds. Entry via Eventbrite.
Should Boyle find itself a twin?
Many years ago Boyle was twined with a small French town called St. Witz. There were many visits and exchanges between the two towns but the expected economic benefit from the idea never materalised and the twinning died away. That was many years ago and times have changed greatly in the intervening period. Perhaps the time is now ripe for Boyle to twin with one or more towns. Indeed a new twinning with a town that could compliment Boyle from an economic point of view may be beneficial. If the appropriate location was well researched in advance of an approach being made, then there is no reason why Boyle could not benefit from some form of investment from our new “twin”. Perhaps we may even find a person who would see the great opportunity that exists in Boyle to build a hotel here.
Event in Forest Park in memory of late Chris O’Dowd
North West Roscommon GAA are organising a 5k and 10K challenge in Boyle’s Lough Key Forest Park in memory of the late Chris O’Dowd who was the Chairperson of North & West Roscommon GAA and a well know businessman in Boyle for many years. Chris played a massive part in all aspects of the GAA in the county and especially at underage level. The event will be taking place in Lough Key Forest Park on May 25th commencing at 10am. This event welcomes runners aged 16 and older and offers two race distances. Both routes will take participants through the beautiful woodlands of Lough Key Forest Park, providing a unique opportunity to experience the stunning natural landscape while testing their endurance. This is a chip-timed event, ensuring accurate results for all competitors. For further details, including start times and course information, please visit North West Roscommon GAA event Facebook page.
Memories of Easter in Boyle
Two Boyle memories from the past that come to mind around Easter time are hot cross buns from Doherty’s Bakery and the Circuit of Ireland Car Rally. Doherty’s Bakery was located roughly where Pure Flowers now stands. On Good Friday in the seventies and early eighties, it was common to see a queue of people waiting on the bridge on Good Friday morning for the buns to arrive from Carrick (and in the process maybe check if there was any pub open!). Nowadays you can get hot cross buns all year around, but back then they were only available at Easter. On Good Friday night, when nothing ever seemed to happen, a trip to Arigna to see the Circuit of Ireland Rally was usually on the cards. One year the Rally had a night visit to Rockingham which provided a great local attraction closer to home. Now that pubs are open and Good Friday is seen as the same as any other day, the memories of Easters past are fading away.
News snippets from around Boyle
Work will recommence on the N61 Boyle Traffic Safety Scheme next Tuesday April 22nd. Works will begin on the upgrading of the existing pedestrian crossing at Kelly’s Londis on the Crescent and the implementation of a one-way system on the L50571 (road leading to/from Train Station) and the realignment of the junction between the L50571 and the N61 on Elphin Street. Works will take place during day time hours…………Castle Island CMP was awared €30,000 during the week under the Community Mounuments Fund. The grants help owners and custodians of archaeological mounments to safeguard them into the future……..A new reading group will commence in Boyle Library next week. “There’s a sense of dread often attached to the name Ulysses – it’s a novel we pick up hopefully and set down dejectedly. Boyle Library’s brand new book club will prove not only can you read and understand Ulysses, it can also be great fun to share the experience with others! Hosted by Kelly, creator of the @Blooms and Barnacles Podcast and blog. Come along and join us for a non-academic take on this perennial Irish classic! First meeting Boyle Library, Thursday 24th April from 6:30-7:30pm”………..Great work undertaken once again by the Wednesday Tidy Town crew who did a cleanup of The Lawn area……..Afternoon Tea Event in Tawnytaskin Community Centre this Easter Monday from 12 noon – 5.30pm Cost €10……….Boyle Athletic Club Couch to 5k is commencing on Tuesday April 29th at 7.30pm for eight weeks………The Boyle based ‘Dukes of Uke’ ukulele group will perform at this Saturday’s “World Circus Day” in Castlerea. This is a free event, produced by Roscommon County Council Arts Office in collaboration with local circus residency space Motion Chapel and Castlerea Rose Festival…..Friends of Assylinn Church Gate collection for the upkeep of the cemeteries will be held after all Masses in St. Joseph’s Church this weekend……..To celebrate International Jazz Day in Boyle there will be a concert in Boyle Church of Ireland on Wednesday April 30th featuring Christine Tobin and Band, followed by the Screening of Film “Jimmy’s Hall” by Director Ken Loach and QA with the musicians as both of them were part of the film. (2014). Age rate 15. Tickets 15€ at the door. To reserve/book email: [email protected]……….What a pity there is no Angling Festival this weekend,. It was an enjoyable outing for so many but entailed a lot of behind the scenes organisation………Good Friday annual cake sale today Friday April 18th in Crossna Community Hall. Proceeds in aid of Community Centre……….Keep your fingers and everything else you have crossed for a green light from Roscommon Co Co for the Aldi planning permission, with a decision due onTuesday. This morning the ‘Decision Progress Indicator’ is at 95%.
And finally…..!
A grocery store employee is stocking the vegetable section when a customer walks up and asks:
“Can I buy just half a head of lettuce?”
The employee shakes his head. “Sorry, we only sell them whole.”
The customer insists, “Well, get your manager. Maybe he’ll make an exception.”
So, the employee walks to the back and says, “Boss, there’s a guy out there who wants to buy half a head of lettuce…” Then, realizing the customer is standing right behind him, he quickly adds…and this fine gentleman would like to buy the other half!”
The manager chuckles and says, “That was some quick thinking! Where are you from?”
“Brazil,” the employee replies.
“Why’d you leave? Isn’t it a beautiful place?”
The employee shrugs. “It is, but it’s full of either soccer players or stunning women.”
The manager laughs, “Funny, my wife is from Brazil!”
Without missing a beat, the employee grins and asks, “Really? What team does she play for?”
