Will Boyle get a new political name?
There has been much speculation of late as to who, if anyone, has been approached locally as a potential general election candidate in Lucinda Creighton’s new political party. Ms Creighton has said her party would “build an economy for entrepreneurs across the social, private and public sectors.” Speculation in Boyle is that one local entrepreneur has been approached to join the party with a view standing for the constituency in the next general election. But it is early days yet and the mention of a name could be just that – speculation. Watch this space!
Boyle Celtic’s Super Sunday beckons
All roads lead to the Sligo road this Sunday to see Boyle Celtic take on St. Michaels from Tipperary in the FAI Junior Cup. This is a major game for club and accordingly the team should get all the local support they rightly deserve. It would be great to see some green and white flags displayed around the town in advance of the big day. Boyle Celtic are one of the most active clubs in the town and one of the most progressive in the country. If in doubt, just pay a visit to their grounds any Saturday morning and see the large number of young players eagerly awaiting training or togging out for a game, aided by a loyal band of club officials. Kick off on Sunday is at 2pm.
Investigating local crimes
A report in Thursdays Roscommon People newspaper of a break-in at Cleahean near Knockvicar requests anyone with information to contact Castlerea Gardaí. Why not Boyle Gardaí? Is it now the case that following the amalgamation of Boyle Garda District with Castlerea that members based nearly 30k away from a crime have to try and solve it? This won’t work. With the best will in the world, Gardaí stationed that far away from a break in or an assault can not know the lie of the land and the background of those in the area. The demise of the local Garda who lives and works in the catchment he/she serves is a change for the worst.
Should we give the “Abbey Abscess” a chance?
The furore over the erection of the “toilet block” at Boyle Abbey seems to have eased generally following the Christmas break. Referred to by some wags as the “Abscess at the Abbey”, it certainly caused a lot of annoyance to the public if the amount of contact this website received on the matter is anything to go by. As is Boyletoday.com policy, we contacted the OPW before making comment on the matter to ascertain if the structure was permanent or not. The reply was that it is indeed permanent. But before any further negative comment is cast, throw your mind back a few years to the erection of the toilet block in Rockingham. A campaign was waged then by a one or two locals to have that structure demolished as it would “Block the view of Lough Key forever”. It was erected and you can still see Lough Key, after what the then Co. Manger Frank Dawson said at the time would happen – it would blend in when planting matured. Perhaps this could happen with the structure at the Abbey. A grass roof, planting and some external stone cladding would lessen the visual obtrusiveness. Getting that done should be where attention is turned to now and not bringing more negative publicity on Boyle for being perceived by some as being anti everything.
Traders need support in January
There was a big effort before Christmas in Boyle to get people to shop local. Hopefully it worked and that businesses benefitted with increased footfall. But the traders need your support now as much if not more so than in December. It is in these dark days of January that businesses suffer most. People have spent their savings at Christmas and those with a job that are paid monthly will have to wait until the end of January to be in funds again. Resultantly, trade is quiet. So in the next few weeks lets try and give as much business as possible to the shops, pubs and restaurants in our town.
The Doc and Charlie
There has been mixed feelings concerning the portrayal of the late Sean Doherty in the current TV series “Charlie”. While there may have been a facial resemblance in the show to the late Cootehall politician, that’s where the likeness ended. Sean Doherty was a smart man with a smart brain who knew what to say and who to say it to. He also never spoke with the flat accent that actor Gavin O’Connor comes out with. In the series, The Doc is portrayed as a sort of simpleton – something he certainly was not. Sean Doherty has often been referred to as a “likeable rogue” and he knew how to play the game with his trademark wiry smile. It will be interesting to see how the producers deal with the Doc’s bombshell that infamous night in Hells Kitchen in Castlerea that led to the fall of Charlie Haughey!
Openings and closures
Openings and closures are part of the commercial life of any town in Ireland and Boyle is not immune. At the end of every year businesses take stock of how the past year went and what the next will bring. Resultantly, January is when most closures occur. There have been one or two so far in Boyle with others to follow but there have also been word of new openings and change of ownerships/ leases. Sentiment in the town is probably higher than any previous January with a survey on this website showing 67% of those who voted believing that 2015 will see positive developments in Boyle. This could be the year that the regeneration begins.
And Finally….!
A drunk man who smelled of beer sat down on a subway next to a priest.
The man’s tie was stained, his face was plastered torn coat pocket. He opened his newspaper and began reading.
After a few minutes the man turned to the priest and asked, “Say Father, what causes arthritis?”
The priest replies, “My Son, it’s caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, contempt for your fellow man, sleeping around with prostitutes and lack of a bath.”
The drunk muttered in response, “Well, I’ll be damned”,
Then returned to his paper.
The priest, thinking about what he had said, nudged the man and apologized. “I’m very sorry.
I didn’t mean to come on so strong. How long have you had arthritis?”
The drunk answered, “I don’t have it, Father.
I was just reading here that the Pope does.”
