Boyle boxers burst into battle
The stage is set and the boxers are ready for this Saturday night’s ‘Battle in Boyle’ white colllar boxing event. Commencing at 8pm in a sold out Sports Complex, over 30 local contestants will take part in what is being billed as ‘a night to remember’. The event is a joint fundraiser for Boyle GAA and Boyle Celtic. Admission ticket purchase will guarantee entry into a cash prize draw: 1st Prize: €5,000, 2nd Prize: €2,500, 3rd Prize: €1,500, 4th Prize: €1,000. Don’t worry if you can’t attend on the night – you will still be included in the draw. This is an over 18’s event with cash bar in operation. Doors open 7pm with Fight 1 in the ring at 8pm.
Bealtaine Connections on Bank Holiday Monday
With a warm weekend forecast, why not pay a visit to the grounds of King House this Bank Holiday Monday for ‘Bealtaine Connections – Celebrating the Arrival of Summer’. This free event takes place from 2pm -4pm and will feature ‘Rakish’ who will play your favourite Irish Traditional and Folk tunes. There will be food stalls in attendance with Pete’s Pizzas, The Bazaar Coffee Shop and King House Tea Rooms.
May Day tradition still alive in Boyle
Well done to all those who kept the May Day tradition alive in Boyle once again this year and place May flowers on doorsteps of residential and commercial premises around the town. Over the years, it was traditional in Boyle that one would pick some May Flowers at Patrick’s Well to put on the doorstep. May Flowers were traditionally picked on the evening before May Day or La Bealtaine. Yellow flowers, such as primroses, buttercups and marigolds were especially popular, possibly as they reflected the sun and summer. Furze and ferns were also put around the outside of the home as they were believed to offer luck to the house and offer protection from mystical forces. Sometimes May flowers were placed in the local well to protect the water supply and the livelihood of those who used it.
Memories of the Gala Duck Race
A story on RTE news recently told how a stray rubber duck, which was part of a 2006 world record attempt on Dublin’s River Liffey, found its way to the north of Scotland. The story brought back memories of the famous Duck Races held during Gala Week many years ago. In the days leading up to one of the races, the ‘Ducks’ were for sale in various bars and shops throughout the town. More accustomed to horse racing than duck racing, one local man – the late Hal Cawley thought the event was a novel one and bought a large number of ducks in the various establishments he visited daily, but when race day came, the impeccably dressed Hal arrived on the bridge only to find the ducks did not have feathers but were made of plastic and he wanted his money back!!
That year many of the ducks evaded the trellis capture net set up in the river at the Pleasure Grounds and maybe someday they too will turn up somewhere, just like the 2006 Liffey duck did recently.
Gaelic Friendlies for Dom’s Wish
A very beneficial fundraising event – ‘Dom’s Wish – Gaelic Friendlies’ will take place on Sunday May 5th in Croghan at 2pm when Shannon Gaels V St. Farnan’s Men and Boyle/Shannon Gaels V St. Farnan’s ladies in a series of fundraising games. All monies raised will go to ‘Dom’s Wish’. Dominic (Dom) Keenahan, who has close family links to Boyle, passed away in July 2023. Dom was diagnosed with cancer in June of that year and passed away one month later at the age of 38, leaving behind his pregnant wife Orla McDermott and their 14 month old son Lachlan. After Dom’s diagnosis, St Farnan’s GAA club suggested a fundraiser to support him, but instead Dom’s wish was that after his passing, this would be done for his family to help towards the much needed renovations of their home. And so on May 5th the Gaelic Friendlies will take place and your support would be appreciated. You can also support online here.
One of Boyle’s most dangerous speed zones
One of the most dangerous roads in Boyle town from a speeding perspective has to be the R294 Mocmoyne/St. Patrick Street. In what is a 50kph zone, cars come in from Ballymote/Gurteen road and once they pass Cox’s corner they see a straight stretch of road in front of them and they up the speed. This speed continues down passed cars parked on both sides of the road at the former handball alley and on into town. It is only a matter of time before a vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist is hit by a speeding car on this section of road. Unfortunately the R294 is not included in the 1,363 ‘safety camera zones’ nationwide, but it should be included in any revision of the areas that takes place in future.
Reunion celebration for music group
A music evening celebrating the music of North Roscommon Sligo and Leitrim will take place this Saturday May 4th in The Moorings Restaurant at Knockvicar Boyle F52TX88 at 9.30 . The well know group Aisling is having a reunion to celebrate this very unique Irish Traditional music. It has been over 30 years since this group played together. Aisling was founded by Padraig and Seamus Sweeney well known musicians from Cootehall many years ago. Their father Pa Sweeney was well know as a great musician and he passed down many local tunes which are now played by Padraig and Seamus This unique heritage of music is a very special collection and many of the tunes will be featured on the night. Padraig and Seamus will be joined by the well know box player Liam Purcell who is one of the most regarded musicians in the area. David Knight the guitar player and singer will accompany the tunes and will sing a few songs to add to the evening. The group Aisling played all over the North West many years ago and have had various line up of musicians so if you remember dancing at ceilis to this group or hearing them in the many pubs and concerts don’t miss this unique opportunity to enjoy a great night.
News snippets from around Boyle
Today Friday May 3rd is the last day when you will be guaranteed a t-shirt for next weekend’s Darkness into Light walk. You can still sign up here.………No sooner had volunteers from Boyle Tidy Towns cleaned up the Green Street car park, than some idiot(s) decided to dump their beer bottles and dog food cans in the car park on Saturday night last. Thankfully, a local person was on hand to clean up the mess on Sunday morning……..Best wishes to The Book Lady who has reopened under the Tai Chi Restaurant in Boyle ……….Enjoy a free painting workshop with Community Art Facilitator Veronica O’Connor in Boyle Library on Friday 31st May from 3pm – 5pm as part of Bealtaine Festival 2024! All materials are supplied and the workshop is open to adults all levels. Places are limited, so ring 071 9662800 or email [email protected] to book…………….Cootehall, Crossna Drumboylan Defibrillator Group are holding a fundraising table quiz and raffle on the Bank Holiday Sunday 5th of May in Clancy’s Bar, Cleen, Knockvicar. Doors open at 9 pm with quiz commencing at 10pm……….As work continues on the public realm footpaths in Boyle, remember that the final part of the contract provides for an overlay of the carriageway and new road markings from McDonaghs Corner to Corrib Oil. This will make a huge difference to the overall project…………Good luck to the large Boyle contingent associated with the Roscommon U20 team who take on Galway in the Eirgrid Connacht Final in MacHale Park, Castlebar on Saturday at 5.15pm. If you can not travel to Castlebar, the game is live on TG4………….Another big name for Boyle Arts Festival – Rebecca Storm will perform on Sunday, July 21st in the Church of Ireland……….Boyle Community Games track and field events will take place on Friday 10th May in Abbey Community College Football pitch. Registration will be in the complex from 5.30pm for a 6pm start. Volunteers who can help with registration and/or events please contact Steve Tonry on 087 1321356………….Local Sports and Classic Car enthusiasts are in for a treat this Bank Holiday Monday when the ‘May Day Run’ featuring a a number of classic vehicles visits St. Joseph’s Resource Centre at approximately 3pm. The event commences in Strokestown at 12pm with Boyle being the last stop on the county wide tour……… Roscommon County Council are hosting an information session on Friday May 10th from 10am – 12pm in Boyle Family Resource Centre on the 2024 Community Recognition fund. Call into the FRC with any questions or queries you may have on the fund and staff from Roscommon Co Co will be available to help answer and support.
And finally……!
A retired RAF engineer and his wife moved to a new town, and he found a pub to drink in.
The first night in there, he bought three pints, and sat at a table in the corner. He sipped from each pint in turn, until he’d finished them.
After he’d finished them he went back to the bar and ordered another three pints.
“If you don’t mind me saying” the landlord said, “If you buy beers one at a time, they’ll be much fresher.”
“Can’t do that” he said, “myself and two mates went through service together for twenty years, and all retired at the same time. We always went drinking together, so agreed that when we’d retired and went different ways, we’d always drink like this, so we’d remember each other.”
The landlord nodded understanding and with time the ex-engineer became well known and popular in the pub, but he always bought three pints at a time, occasionally three whiskies at a time.
Then one day he came into the pub, and ordered TWO pints. The whole pub went silent. The landlord was the first to speak, “Hey, mate, we’re all really sorry about the loss of your friend.” Everybody looked on in sympathy.
At first the engineer just looked confused, then he worked out what was wrong and grinned.
“Oh, don’t worry – my Air Force mates are absolutely fine. The Doctor has told me that I have to stop drinking for my health. But, that’s just me, it doesn’t affect my friends.
