Should Boyle have an Arts Centre and Theatre?
Many people have asked a fair question – ‘What’s happening with the Courthouse?’. There were plans to turn it into a home for the model railway that was built many years ago but that seems to have fallen by the way side. A suggestion that has been made, and which is still opportune, is the redevelopment of the building into a theatre or arts centre. With a proven track record locally of hosting events and Boyle firmly set on the map as a center of excellence when it comes to the Arts, perhaps attention could now turn towards getting the Courthouse turned into a dedicated Arts Centre and performance space for the town. Roscommon has a beautiful Arts Centre and there is no reason why Boyle can not have a similar one. A modern retractable tiered seated performance space would not only be of great benefit to the annual Arts Festival but could hold regular events throughout the year. The project, were it to happen, would most likely qualify for grant aid and tick the box of ‘town center first’ which is a high priority in any development that the Government will back financially.
Feedback required on proposed Lough Key to Carrick Greenway
There was a good turnout at the public consultation on Wednesday last in relation to the Lough Key to Carrick Greenway (or as one person insisted on calling it – the Carrick to Lough Key Greenway!). This was the first consultation in what most likely will be a long process – maybe up to 5 years before soil is broken – that is if the Greenway is what the people want and if there is funding available for the various stages. Some attended the consultation assuming the route would be along the N4 but that is not the case. The Study Area was on display and it includes a large area taking in Cootehall and Knockvicar with no route chosen yet.
The project timeline comes in seven stages: 1. Concept and Feasibility 2. Options Selection 3. Design and Environmental Evaluation 4. Statutory Process 5. Enabling and Procurement 6. Construction and Implementation and 7. Close out and Review
The purpose of Wednesday’s public consultation (phase 1 as above) was to inform the public of the project and to invite feedback on the study area, the constraints identified and any other features/opportunities that the design team should consider. Feedback forms were available for those who attended. Feedback can also be submitted by email to [email protected].
GeoDirectory report does not make good reading for Boyle
The GeoDirectory commercial building report published yesterday (Thursday) did not make good reading for Boyle. Of the 12 Connacht towns surveyed, Boyle has shown the largest increase in commercial vacancy rates increasing by 5.2pp since Q2 2022. The commercial vacancy rate in Boyle in Q2 2022 was 22.4% with the similar period in 2023 showing 27.6%, at a time when the vacancy rate average nationally is 14.1%
The results are quite shocking but not surprising as we are well aware of the number of vacant premises currently lying idle in the town. But don’t despair just yet. If all the plans that are being worked on nice and quietly behind the scenes come to fruition, the commercial life of Boyle will prosper once again and large scale vacancy rates will be a thing of the past in this town.
New houses for Boyle
The few houses that are for sale in Boyle move fast with a current shortage of supply in the new and second hand market. Presently there are no new major housing developments in progress in Boyle either private or via the local authority which is concerning, but a notice on etenders gives some hope. Roscommon Co Co has advertised for a contractor to build 16 new Social Houses and all associated site works and services at Cnoc Na hAbhainn in the town. According to the tender, the contract duration is 13 months with the contract to be awarded on October 13th.
News snippets from around Boyle
Well done to the local members of Boyle Tidy Towns committee who spent a few hours pulling weeds and undertaking a general tidy up of the Crescent area on Tuesday evening in advance of today’s filming of ‘Small Town Big Story”. One has to question why Roscommon Co Co don’t do this work anymore and as one business person said on Tuesday night; “Why are we paying rates if we have to literally come out here on our hands and knees to keep out town looking clean”…….The local car washes did well on Tuesday evening following the rain drops that dumped Sahara dust onto cars and vehicles across the country………Our local hotel’ Kilronan Castle has been shortlisted in eight categories in the upcoming Irish Hotel Awards………..There were a large number of Council officials around Boyle on Tuesday surveying the town in advance of work recommencing on the lane at the rear of Main Street, the public realm enhancement of Bridge Street and Shop Street and also identifying further derelict buildings in the town centre that will soon be served with derelict site notices………. Hats off to the organisers of the Lough Key Triathlon in Boyle’s Lough Key Forest Park last Sunday. By all reports it was a very professionally run event……….Roscommon Co. Council is extending the closing of the L51292 King House Lane until Friday 27th October at 5pm for roadworks. Diversions will be in place……..Lough Key Forest Park campsite will remain open Wednesday to Sunday until November 1st to take in the festive Halloween experience Lough Key Forest & Activity Park………The Abbey Park grounds look great now that the tarmacadam has been laid. Well done to all involved with all the great work in the Abbey Park and also well done to all involved with Celtic Park which looked very impressive in a night time drone shot that was published on Wednesday evening by Boyle Celtic…….Boyle Scout registration night is on Tuesday 12th from 7.30pm -9pm in the Scout Den. But registration comes with a caveat – places will be dependent both on returning member numbers and leader numbers. If there are no scout leaders there will be no scout meetings or events, which would be a shame in a town with a long tradition in scouting. And in the Basketball Club, they are also seeking people to join their committee. In this regard, they will hold a meeting on Wednesday 13th September in the front room of the Sports Complex…….Maybe local man Chris O’Dowd could have a word with the set crew of ‘Small Town Big Story’ and ask them to leave the beautiful hanging flowers on the lamp posts on the Crescent when filming concludes later today!!
And finally….!
Two medical students were walking along the street when they saw an old man walking with his legs spread apart.
He was stiff-legged and walking slowly.
One student said to his friend: “I’m sure that poor old man has Peltry Syndrome. Those people walk just like that.”
The other student says: “No, I don’t think so. The old man surely has Zovitzki Syndrome. He walks slowly and his legs are apart, just as we learned in class.”
Since they couldn’t agree they decided to ask the old man. They approached him and one of the students said to him: “We’re medical students and couldn’t help but notice the way you walk, but we couldn’t agree on the syndrome you might have. Could you tell us what it is?”
The old man said: “I certainly will tell you, but first you tell me what you two fine medical students think.”
The first student said, “I think it’s Peltry Syndrome.”
The old man said, “You thought – but you are wrong.”
The other student said, “I think you have Zovitzki Syndrome.”
The old man said, “You thought – but you are wrong.”
So they asked him, “Well, old timer, what do you have?”
The old man said, ” Well, I thought it was wind – but I was wrong, too!”
