Unabhan Rural Tourism Co-Operative
Military rd Boyle Co. Roscommon
(071)9663033
The Una Bhan Tourism Region covers, North Roscommon,
Leitrim & South Sligo.
It is a hidden Jewel and well worth a visit with attractions like Carrowkeel Megalithic Tombs, which pre-date Stonehenge & Newgrange and visit Irelands only Tree-canopy walk in Lough Key Forest Park.
Una Bhan has developed the business to include a wide range of services to the local community and services to promote and compliment tourism in the Region.
All services are listed on the tabs on the left-hand side of this page.
Una Bhan is funded by Pobal under the Community Services Programme.
Local Boyle News
Anything Goes
Rehearsals for Boyle Musical Society's production of 'Anything Goes' are now under way. This will be the Society's 25th annual production and will delight everyone with its witty script, lively action and a fantastic musical score by Cole Porter. Songs include 'You're The Top', 'I Get A Kick Out Of You' and 'Anything Goes'. We're calling on all talented adults to join, but due to the type of show, we regrettably don't have any parts for students. Rehearsals continue in St Joseph's Hall on Monday and Thursday nights throughout the autumn, and the show will be staged from November 12th to 16th. Contact Patricia on 086 102 5537 for more details.
THINGS TO DO - PLACES TO SEE
Coffee Morning
On Thursday, you can show your support for the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation by taking part in one of their coffee mornings to raise funds for essential Hospice Services in Mayo and Roscommon. Ireland's Biggest Coffee Morning gets under way on Thursday, September 18th in homes, workplaces, in schools, colleges, restaurants, clubs and hospitals throughout the area. The Family Life Centre in Boyle is just one of the venues where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and raise funds for the Hospice. Remember that all money raised locally, stays locally. You can help Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation to provide a palliative care service in Counties Mayo and Roscommon by joining your local Hospice Support Group, taking part in a fundraising event, or simply by making a donation. Log onto www.hospice.ie for more information.
Singers
Boyle Singers Group will hold their monthly Singers Night on Saturday, September 20th at the Crescent Bar (Dodd's). Enquiries to Brid on 071 9663244, or Helen on 071 9663701. All are very welcome.
Boyle Boat Club
The next outing for Boyle River Boat Club is on September 20th and 21st with a boat trip to Battlebridge, and a barbecue and music on the Saturday night. Commodore is Assumpta Doherty. All boat owners are invited to this, the final rally of 2008, to celebrate another successful year of Boyle River Boat Club. For more information, contact Tommy Egan on 087 2829425.
Moylurg Writers
The next meeting of the Moylurg Writers Group takes place in Boyle Library on Saturday, September 27th, from 10.30am until 12.30pm, when there will be an open writing session.
Harvest Supper
A Harvest Thanksgiving Service will be held in Boyle Church of Ireland Parish Church on Friday, September 26th at 8pm, followed by a Harvest Supper Social in St Joseph's Hall, Boyle, at 9.30pm. Music will be by Brendan Kearney and his band. Admission €10.
UFO Conference
The fifth annual UFO Conference, organised by Boyle woman Betty Meyler, takes place this month. The conference, which attracts visitors and speakers from all over the world, is held in the Bush Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, from September 27th - 28th.
'Crop Circles'
Speakers from Ireland, USA, the UK and Australia gather in Carrick on Shannon for the fifth annual UFO Conference, organised by Boyle woman Betty Meyler. The conference is held in the Bush Hotel from September 27th - 28th, and includes speakers on a range of subjects, including the connection between Ghosts, UFOs and Crop Circles. On Saturday evening (September 27th), delegates will enjoy a four hour boat trip on the River Shannon aboard the Moon River, with a buffet and music. For more information about the UFO Conference, contact Betty on 071 9662844. .
Curlew Walkers
An open walking weekend takes place on September 27th and 28th organised by Boyle's Curlew Walkers. On Saturday, members meet at 11am in the Crescent, Boyle, or at 11.30am at McDermott's in Castlebaldwin. There is a 20km long walk from Castlebaldwin to Boyle, or a shorter walk of 10km from Castlebaldwin to Ballinafad. The Sunday is also National Trails Day. Members meet as before but there is just one short walk of 9km from Ballinafad to Castlebaldwin. This walk, which will take approximately three and a half hours, is suitable for all the family, and has been arranged to mark National Trails Day. It will start with a bus transfer to Ballinafad at 12 noon and will follow the Historical Way over the Bricklieve Mountains. Registration for the Sunday walk will be from 11.30am at McDermott's pub in Castlebaldwin and will be free of charge. The walk leader will be Philip James (086 335 3000).
Badmintion
Boyle Badminton Club resumes training on Mondays from 9.30 to 11pm and on Thursdays from 9pm to 11pm on Thursdays. Following the club's great success at the Connacht and All Ireland Finals earlier this year, it is hoped to continue and increase the club's membership. New members of all levels are welcomed. Contact Damien Regan for further details on 086 8586175.
Boyle Marching Band
New members are being recruited for Boyle's famous Marching Band. In particular, the Band is looking for tin whistle players, accordion players and drummers. All instruments and uniforms are provided. Rehearsals are every Saturday morning from 11am until 12.30pm in the Sports Complex located beside Abbey Community College, Boyle. New members are invited to attend this Saturday, September 6th and initially, should be accompanied by an adult. There is a four week probationary period before final acceptance and the issue of uniforms. For more information contact any of the following: Marie Kennedy on 086 8407732; Mary McLoughlin on 086 3578405; Pat Conroy on 087 7853628; Marie King on 087 9762726.
Boyle Book Club
The club meets every first Thursday in the month, from 6.45pm until 8pm in the Library. The books under discussion can include both fact and fiction and are chosen by members. New members are always welcome. There is no charge and all the books under discussion are available to borrow from the Library. Contact Matthew Gammon at the Library for more information: 071 9662800.
Athletics
Boyle Athletics Club members training on Wednesdays, at the Sport Complex, Boyle, 6pm for young members and 7pm for older ones. New members will be accepted in January 2009.
Jo Jingles
Lough Key Forest Park on Friday mornings is where children aged from six months to five years can take part in fun music and movement with Jo Jingles. Classes lasting 45 minutes offer a fun and interactive introduction to music for children and their parents. Contact Colette on 094 98623262 for more details. Courses start after the summer break, on September 12th.
Farmers Market
Boyle Farmers' Market continues every Saturday in the grounds of King House, offering a wide range of fresh local produce, much of it organic, plus hand crafted gifts and cards. Locally sourced organic meat and local pork is available every week, with fresh fish still a regular feature, alongside Irish farmhouse cheeses, local fruit and vegetables, home baked breads and cakes, cut flowers and hand made preserves. There is also usually a selection of fresh food to eat alfresco while you walk around, including cakes, buns and hot savoury wraps. More information is available from the organisers, Úna Bhán Tourism, on 071 9663033. Parking nearby is free and admission is free.
Camera Club
The club celebrates its first birthday in September. The next meeting is on Wednesday, September 10th, at 7.30pm in the Auditorium of King House. New members are welcome. A club outing/photoshoot is planned shortly. Members will receive details via SMS. Follow the links on the website for more information: www.boylecameraclub.com, where previous photographic submissions can be viewed.
Chocolate Alert
If you've a taste for chocolate, then a trip to Boyle's weekly Farmers' Market this Saturday might be in order. A new stallholder this week is Hugh McNamee who will be bringing his range of hand made Belgian-style chocolates and truffles to the market for the first time. Hugh, who hails from Donegal, already sells his exclusive range of speciality confectionery in the North and we are fortunate that he is coming to Boyle to give us a chance to sample his delicious sweet treats. As always, the Farmers' Market is held outside in the grounds of King House from 10am until 2pm. Mostly a food market, there are often craft workers there, with hand woven baskets, Donegal knitwear and hand made wooden garden furniture regular features. A wide range of organic produce is available to choose from: free range eggs; nuts, grains and pulses; meat and poultry; locally grown and international fruit and vegetables. There are also rare breed pork products; home made jam and chutney; hand churned butter; fresh fish; home baked bread, scones and cakes; Irish farmhouse cheeses; plus eco-friendly cleaning products. There is also delicious take away food available to eat alfresco. More information about Boyle's award winning Farmers' Market, which features in the Bridgestone Irish Food Guide, is available from the organisers, Úna Bhán Tourism on 071 9663033. Admission to the market is free and there is ample free car parking nearby.
Connaught Rangers
A new supply of booklets describing the history of the Connaught Rangers is now available from the Una Bhan Craft Shop in the grounds of King House, after we sold out last week! Published by the Connaught Rangers Association based in King House, Boyle, the booklet chronicles the history of the regiment from its formation in September 1793 to its eventual disbandment in 1922. The booklet costs just €4 and is proving to be of great interest to people studying local history.
New route to Liverpool
Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline has announced a new daily service from Ireland West Knock Airport to Liverpools John Lennon Airport. The new route will commence on October 27th and it will compliment Ryanair's existing network of routes from Ireland West Knock Airport. The addition of this route will be a welcome boast to the thousands of Liverpool and Everton supporters in the region.
Boyle Map & Brochure
Look out for the new Boyle Town Map which has been launched by Úna Bhán Tourism. Featuring a large colour street plan, photographs and interesting information about the town, plus advertisements from businesses in the area, this should prove to be a vital marketing tool for Boyle. In full colour, the map comes as A3 tear-off sheets in pads which have been distributed to shops, pubs, restaurants and other venues throughout Boyle. A total of 10,000 maps are now in circulation. Large display versions are on show in the Tourist Information display stands at Boyle Station and by the Clock Tower in the Crescent. An additional new display is going up in Boyle Marina shortly. It is hoped the Boyle Town Map will be updated annually. More information is available from Úna Bhán Tourism, in the grounds of King House, tel: 071 9663033.
Rockingham Fire
Fifty years ago, in the autumn of 1957, Rockingham House, in Lough Key Forest Park, was gutted by fire. The ruins stood until 1971 and were subsequently replaced with the Moylurg Tower. The fire started in the early evening of the 10th September and raged on through the night with the last flames dying out some 24 hours later.
A wonderful book called 'Rockingham' can be purchased in the Una Bhan Craft shop, grounds of King House, Boyle for €8. This book has wonderful images of Rockingham House from the Fr.Browne collection.
Handy Book to Have
An updated version of the handy Boyle Residential and Business Phone Directory, is available from Úna Bhán Tourism in the grounds of King House, Boyle. This is an extremely handy A5 size booklet with useful listings of names and numbers of every home and business in Boyle and the surrounding area. At just €5 a copy, it is essential reading if you want to know who's who and where in the town. Call into Úna Bhán Tourism in the grounds of King House for a copy, or to amend your published details for future updates.
Walking in the area
The range of walks that are available for all levels of walkers in the Boyle area are so diverse it will be hard to choose which one to do first.
Lough Key Forest Park set in 500 hectacres of parkland has something to suit all. The Bricklieve mountains and Carrowkeel with its Megalithic tombs have rough terrain and breathtaking scenery. Cavetown lake just off the Roscommon road is a peaceful tranquil walk. The 'Miners Way' and 'Historical Trail' are a network of paths which wind their way through adjoining parts of County Leitirm, Roscommon and Sligo. The Miners way follows the path used by the miners going to work in the Arigna mines.
