Convenience food shortage to the fore
The closure of Corrib Oil in Mockmoyne and the refurbishment of the company’s other store at the former Boyle Motor Works has caused quite a vacuum in the morning and lunch time deli/convenience hot food sector in the town. While there are other supermarkets, filling station and shops serving such food, taking two out of the mix has shown how dependent we are to this sector and the number of people who travel to Boyle for a quick ‘on the go’ bite to eat at lunch time. While on the subject of food, this blog has been contacted on a number of occasions by people bemoaning the fact that there are no fast food outlets open late at night in Boyle. One viewer wrote: “Just home now at 12.30am on a Saturday night and all the fast food outlets in town are closed! What a shame that you can not get a bag of chips after a good night out”.
Minister Harris’s visit to Boyle
The visit last Monday by Minister Simon Harris to open the Primary Care Centre and visit the Plunkett Home was a well choreographed trip. Met by approximately 3 different groups of protestors at the entrance, the obstruction did not phase the Minister one bit as he went about his business right on time. The shouting at Minister Harris about being “pro abortion” near the end of his visit didn’t phase the 32 year old Government Minister either as Boyle Gardai and plain clothes officers were quickly on hand to escort the protestor away.
Now the official opening is over, the time has come to fill the building, starting first with a GP. Pressure needs to continue to have a doctor operate from the €6m centre in addition to a range of other services which the state of the art building can well accommodate.
Work at Shambles area
Many viewers have enquired about the work at the Shambles area on Bridge Street in Boyle. As stated here last week, t is understood the “public realm enhancement” of the square will include granite paving, seating, bike racks and shrubbery. In addition, the problem of flooding from the Boyle river in this area will be addressed. The often criticised water feature, which has fallen into disrepair of late will be removed and relocated elsewhere in the town.
Viewing the Cannonball Run
Last year the Cannonball Run passed close to Boyle on the N4 attracting a lot of spectators. The closest the run comes to Boyle this year will be today Friday September 7th when it goes out the N17 at Collooney on the Dublin to Westport via Donegal stage of the event. The super cars will be leaving Donegal at approximately 2.45pm. That should get them passing through the Collooney roundabout at sometime close to 3 -4pm.
New train timetable is welcome
The new train timetable that comes into operation this Sunday on the Dublin Sligo line is a positive step. Now many trains will stop off in Drumcondra which will be welcomed by students and the general public alike. Heretofore, any students in the likes of DCU or St Pats or patients with appointments in the Mater Hospitals had only the option of one train stopping off at Drumcondra. Now up to 6 trains will stop at the station.
Plenty to do this autumn
Now that the children are back at school and the evening’s are drawing in, many clubs and organisations are gearing up for the new season. Those who say there is nothing to do in Boyle obviously are not aware of all that there is on our doorstep – Irish dancing, soccer, gaelic, boxing, cycling, speech and drama, yoga, pilates, a number of fitness centres offering various classes, GRETB evening courses, walking, tennis, musical – the list is endless. In fact for many parents, the winter is a constant conveyor belt of dropping off and picking up children from all the after school activities they attend.
And finally….!
While being interviewed for a job, the personnel manager said to the Maguire brothers:
‘We’re going to give you a written examination. Ten questions. Whoever gets most right we’ll hire.’
Papers were produced and the boys set to work answering the general knowledge questions.
When the time was up the personnel manager collected and marked the papers.
‘Well,’ said he, ‘you’ve both got nine out of ten, but I’m giving Mick the job.’
‘Why’s that?’ asked Pat.
‘Well,’ said the manager, ‘you both got the same question wrong but Mick answered ‘I don’t know this’ and you put down ‘Neither do I!’.
