Here are some facts about Boyle Town
...relating to the year I first left there long, long ago!
(at the very end of this script you will find a key to the actual year.)
...relating to the year I first left there long, long ago!
(at the very end of this script you will find a key to the actual year.)
The town then had thirty one public houses and a population of 1,935
St. Patrick Street (12)
Mrs. Ahern, J. Conlon, T. Dowd, M.Duffy, Mrs. Gavacan, K. Lehany, Mrs. Mattimoe, Luke Mullaney, J. Spellman, M. McDermott, John White and Mrs. K. Lavin.
Two pubs in St. Patrick Street had a good sense of humour. On the outside wall of one pub the publican had painted a beehive with the following jingle: "Inside this hive we are all alive and our drink is sweet as honey, ere you feel dry come in and try but make sure you bring your money".
His neighbour, seeing the wit, decided that he would go one better. He too painted a beehive and added his own jingle: "Don't mind those bees and don't trouble them for their honey, ere you feel dry come in and try but don't bring any money"
Bridge Street (11)
John Cryan, Mrs. Mary Keaney, John Leyland, John Lowe & Co., Charles Mullaney, Mrs. A.O'Hara, Laurence Ryan, Martin Tansey, James Hever, "Rockingham Arms", F. Cunningham, P. Regan.
The Crescent (4)
J.H.Cox, J.A.Dodd, A.J.Grehan, J.J. Keaney
Elphin Street (3)
Kate Cahill
Joseph O'Dowd
Maud Tuite
Green Street (1)
James Feely.
The town had six clergymen:
Alfred Bradshaw, B.A. Methodist; Rev. Fulton, Prebyterian, Rev. Slator M.A. C. of Ireland
Rev. James Mulligan, P.P. Roman Catholic; Rev. J. McLoughlin C.C. Roman Catholic.
Rev. Bernard Tiernan, C.C. Roman Catholic.
Three Doctors: T. Kilgallen, R.J.B. Madden and Francis O'Hart.
Three Chemists: J.F.Brogan, Murtagh O'Leary and Philip Ryan.
Two Dentists: Edward McGown and John McKeon
Eight Solicitors:
1 Francis Burke
2 C.E.Callan
3 F. Callan
4 Thomas Callan
5 Eileen Forde
6 John Forde
7 Kevin McMorrow
8 James Sheerin
Seven Peace Commissioners:
1 J.P. Dodd
2 B.J.Earley
3 Thomas Henry
4 Phil Murray
5 P. J. Nerney
6 G.A. Stewart
7 Austin Tarpey
One Commissioner for Oaths: James P. Dodd, Main Street.
Nine Town Commissioners:
1 Michael McGetrick (Chairman)
2 James B. Clarke (V.Chairman)
3 Michael Tansey
4 James Feely
5 Richard Kelly
6 John J. Mattimoe
7 Thomas Egan
8 Christopher Daly
9 John Shannon
The old Boyle Workhouse was a branch of the Roscommon County Home and it was also a branch of the Roscommon General and Fever Hospital.
The Medical Officer was: Robert J.B. Madden, Tangier
and the Acting Head Nurse was: B. Egan.
Assistance Officer: Daniel P. Kelly.
Boyle Number One Sub-Committee, Under
the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908: Clerk – F. Kiernan, Elphin Street.
Garda Siochana Superintendent John Ryan, Boyle.
There were twenty six active stations in the Co. Roscommon. Headquarters in Roscommon town.
Michael Dennehy was the Chief Superintendent for the county .
University Scholarships: Three, value £120:00 (one hundred and twenty pounds) , each were awarded p.a. by the County Council for the whole county.
Secondary Scholarships: Ten, value £50 (fifty pounds) Five for boys and five for girls. Residential. £20 (twenty pounds) non-residential. Awarded pa. by the County Council for the whole county.
Matriculation Examination for University:
1 Irish
2 English
3 Mathematics
4 Latin, Greek or a modern continental language
5 One other subject, not already listed.
For degrees in Arts, including Music, Law, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, -- Latin or Greek had to be selected and passed at Number (4)
For degrees in Science, Engineering, Commerce, Agricultural Science, Dairy Science -- Latin, Greek or a modern continental language had to be selected and passed at Number (4).
Relying on the education available in Boyle, it was not possible for any body (male or female) to pass the Matric. Who was responsible? The V.E.C., Local Authority, Religious and the people who set themselves up as the custodians/administrators of the Social, Religious, Cultural and Economic development of the community. Everybody in Boyle town and the surrounding country areas, for a radius of five miles, was denied entrance to University unless the parents could afford boarding school fees. Approx. fees: £55 to £100 p.a. per student. Of course, what were put forward as the elite schools: Jesuits/Loreto/Sacred Heart, would be much more expensive. Latin, Greek or a modern Continental Language, was not taught in the Convent of Mercy, Boyle which was a primary school and, even though the Technical School was officially state post primary, these subjects were not taught. The two schools in Boyle prepared their students for the lowest rung of the economic ladder: Civil Service / Local Authority/Statutory Bodies/Commercial Offices: Writers, Sorters, P. O. Learners, Telephonists, Shorthand/Typists, Typists, Apprenticeships Mechanics, Book-keepers, General Office Clerks, Hotel Management, Waitressing, Cooks, Domestic Servants, Shop Assistants, Gardening, Farming, Dressmaking, Tailoring, Carpentery, Nursing and Garda Siochana. Having completed the course in the Convent and Technical School, Boyle, entrance to University was not available, even if a rich aunt or uncle in America paid the University Fees. The course for Clerical Officer was not covered by these two schools.
Mrs. Ahern, J. Conlon, T. Dowd, M.Duffy, Mrs. Gavacan, K. Lehany, Mrs. Mattimoe, Luke Mullaney, J. Spellman, M. McDermott, John White and Mrs. K. Lavin.
Two pubs in St. Patrick Street had a good sense of humour. On the outside wall of one pub the publican had painted a beehive with the following jingle: "Inside this hive we are all alive and our drink is sweet as honey, ere you feel dry come in and try but make sure you bring your money".
His neighbour, seeing the wit, decided that he would go one better. He too painted a beehive and added his own jingle: "Don't mind those bees and don't trouble them for their honey, ere you feel dry come in and try but don't bring any money"
Bridge Street (11)
John Cryan, Mrs. Mary Keaney, John Leyland, John Lowe & Co., Charles Mullaney, Mrs. A.O'Hara, Laurence Ryan, Martin Tansey, James Hever, "Rockingham Arms", F. Cunningham, P. Regan.
The Crescent (4)
J.H.Cox, J.A.Dodd, A.J.Grehan, J.J. Keaney
Elphin Street (3)
Kate Cahill
Joseph O'Dowd
Maud Tuite
Green Street (1)
James Feely.
The town had six clergymen:
Alfred Bradshaw, B.A. Methodist; Rev. Fulton, Prebyterian, Rev. Slator M.A. C. of Ireland
Rev. James Mulligan, P.P. Roman Catholic; Rev. J. McLoughlin C.C. Roman Catholic.
Rev. Bernard Tiernan, C.C. Roman Catholic.
Three Doctors: T. Kilgallen, R.J.B. Madden and Francis O'Hart.
Three Chemists: J.F.Brogan, Murtagh O'Leary and Philip Ryan.
Two Dentists: Edward McGown and John McKeon
Eight Solicitors:
1 Francis Burke
2 C.E.Callan
3 F. Callan
4 Thomas Callan
5 Eileen Forde
6 John Forde
7 Kevin McMorrow
8 James Sheerin
Seven Peace Commissioners:
1 J.P. Dodd
2 B.J.Earley
3 Thomas Henry
4 Phil Murray
5 P. J. Nerney
6 G.A. Stewart
7 Austin Tarpey
One Commissioner for Oaths: James P. Dodd, Main Street.
Nine Town Commissioners:
1 Michael McGetrick (Chairman)
2 James B. Clarke (V.Chairman)
3 Michael Tansey
4 James Feely
5 Richard Kelly
6 John J. Mattimoe
7 Thomas Egan
8 Christopher Daly
9 John Shannon
The old Boyle Workhouse was a branch of the Roscommon County Home and it was also a branch of the Roscommon General and Fever Hospital.
The Medical Officer was: Robert J.B. Madden, Tangier
and the Acting Head Nurse was: B. Egan.
Assistance Officer: Daniel P. Kelly.
Boyle Number One Sub-Committee, Under
the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908: Clerk – F. Kiernan, Elphin Street.
Garda Siochana Superintendent John Ryan, Boyle.
There were twenty six active stations in the Co. Roscommon. Headquarters in Roscommon town.
Michael Dennehy was the Chief Superintendent for the county .
University Scholarships: Three, value £120:00 (one hundred and twenty pounds) , each were awarded p.a. by the County Council for the whole county.
Secondary Scholarships: Ten, value £50 (fifty pounds) Five for boys and five for girls. Residential. £20 (twenty pounds) non-residential. Awarded pa. by the County Council for the whole county.
Matriculation Examination for University:
1 Irish
2 English
3 Mathematics
4 Latin, Greek or a modern continental language
5 One other subject, not already listed.
For degrees in Arts, including Music, Law, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, -- Latin or Greek had to be selected and passed at Number (4)
For degrees in Science, Engineering, Commerce, Agricultural Science, Dairy Science -- Latin, Greek or a modern continental language had to be selected and passed at Number (4).
Relying on the education available in Boyle, it was not possible for any body (male or female) to pass the Matric. Who was responsible? The V.E.C., Local Authority, Religious and the people who set themselves up as the custodians/administrators of the Social, Religious, Cultural and Economic development of the community. Everybody in Boyle town and the surrounding country areas, for a radius of five miles, was denied entrance to University unless the parents could afford boarding school fees. Approx. fees: £55 to £100 p.a. per student. Of course, what were put forward as the elite schools: Jesuits/Loreto/Sacred Heart, would be much more expensive. Latin, Greek or a modern Continental Language, was not taught in the Convent of Mercy, Boyle which was a primary school and, even though the Technical School was officially state post primary, these subjects were not taught. The two schools in Boyle prepared their students for the lowest rung of the economic ladder: Civil Service / Local Authority/Statutory Bodies/Commercial Offices: Writers, Sorters, P. O. Learners, Telephonists, Shorthand/Typists, Typists, Apprenticeships Mechanics, Book-keepers, General Office Clerks, Hotel Management, Waitressing, Cooks, Domestic Servants, Shop Assistants, Gardening, Farming, Dressmaking, Tailoring, Carpentery, Nursing and Garda Siochana. Having completed the course in the Convent and Technical School, Boyle, entrance to University was not available, even if a rich aunt or uncle in America paid the University Fees. The course for Clerical Officer was not covered by these two schools.
If the records were checked by the County Council, no doubt it would show that no student from Boyle, who was relying on the education available in that town, ever entered University or was ever awarded a University Scholarship.
Teachers: Boyle had just two University Graduates as teachers. (with H.Dip and primary degrees). One taught Science and one taught General Commerce and English in the Technical School. All other teachers in the Technical School had teaching diplomas only. The Convent of Mercy had no graduates, teaching diplomas also.
As a matter of interest, we will compare Boyle to its neighbour.
1 Elphin: Rev. J. Wynne-Slack M.A. (Grammar School)
Sisters of Mercy Secondary School, Sr. M. Gavigan, M.A. H.Dip
Technical School – (1) J.O'Connor M.A. (2) H.Browne B.Com. (3) M.Keogh B.A.
(4) B. Chapman B.Sc. and (5) L. Connellan B.A.
2 All the neighbouring towns (Roscommon, Castlerea, Elphin already listed, Ballaghaderreen, Ballymote and Ck.-on-Shannon) provided Secondary education with the facility for obtaining the Matric.
There were five County Councillors in Boyle: (out of a total of twenty six for the County Roscommon)
1 John Beirne T.D. Lugnashammer, Croghan, Boyle
2 Thomas L. Callan, Warren, Boyle.
3 James Doherty, Cootehall, Boyle
4 Senator Peter T. Lynch, Keadue, Boyle.
5 Michael McLoughlin, Laragon, Corrigeenroe, Boyle
Town Clerk: Michael Nerney.
Court Clerk: Daniel Crosbie.
Treasurer: National Bank.
The Abbey Cinema: In the ownership of John Lowe & Co.. The official name of this Cinema was: "The Boyle Picture Theatre".
Library: Branch of Roscommon Co. Library, Bridge Street. Librarian – Edward McGee.
Tennis: Gerard Dodd was Hon. Secretary of the Irish Lawn Tennis Association (Connaught Council). Club affiliated to the Association by: Dr. R. J. B. Madden, Tangier, Boyle
Golf: Boyle had a nine hole golf course. The Secretary was: W. H. Bushell "St. Judes"
Dance Halls: The Clews and St. Patrick's in St. Patrick Street. St. Joseph's Hall was built much later.
Dancing Teacher: Miss McGowan.
Music Teachers: Edward McGee and Nancy O'Connor.
Banks:
1 Bank of Ireland – T.F.S.Fullerton, Gaynor and W. Morris.
2 National Bank - J. Martin, M.McDermott and I. O'Sullivan
3 Northern Bank - J. G. Nesbitt.
Post Office: J. Coleman, Postmaster. Part of the Post Office building was called "Post Office House".
Convent of Mercy: Mother O'Leary was the Superioress and managed the convent which was a National School. She also managed the Convent's Steam Laundry which traded under the name of "St. Vincent". The laundry employed twenty six local girls and three local men. The Mercy Order in Boyle did not have an Industrial School or a Magdalen Home.
Abbey: Is in the townland of Knocknashee. Boyle was listed as a town under the "Town Improvements Act 1854". Boyle is part of the old Moylurg Territory which extends from the Curlieu Mountains (Hills) on the north to Elphin in the south and in the east from the Shannon to Lough Gara in the west.
Four Restaurants:
1 K. Doherty, "Bonne Bouche", Main Street.
2 Lynch's House.
3 McNamaras Cafe.
4 McDonaghs, Patrick Street
"ROYAL HOTEL"
Mrs. MacManaway was Manageress of the "Royal". In the year that I left Boyle town, this Hotel was advertised as having twenty four bedrooms, all with hot and cold water. Spring interior mattresses and bed light in each room. The Hotel had its own putting green and tennis courts. It could garage sixteen cars with five "lock ups". It was fully licensed and had electric light throughout. It was registered an Irish Tourist Board Grade "A" Hotel and the telephone number was Boyle 16.
It was in this hotel that the fictional father in John McGahern's book asked the son on the top of his voice "whats the dearesht on that yoke" (menu) - "The duck replied the son" very embarrassed in front of the English Anglers who were about to sit down for their evening dinner. "Krisht we'll have the duck" replied the father, with no hint of embarrassment. All that showed on that evening was his newly acquired pride over his son winning the scholarship. And in a very loud voice he addressed the anglers "this lad won the scholarship, and he bet the kemisht (chemist)son."!!
Authority: I did not give permission to change the name of the "Burma Road" into Cootehall St./Rd. whatever.!! The same applies to "Tangier Terrace" - who said that should be Lower Marian Road?!!
As a matter of interest, we will compare Boyle to its neighbour.
1 Elphin: Rev. J. Wynne-Slack M.A. (Grammar School)
Sisters of Mercy Secondary School, Sr. M. Gavigan, M.A. H.Dip
Technical School – (1) J.O'Connor M.A. (2) H.Browne B.Com. (3) M.Keogh B.A.
(4) B. Chapman B.Sc. and (5) L. Connellan B.A.
2 All the neighbouring towns (Roscommon, Castlerea, Elphin already listed, Ballaghaderreen, Ballymote and Ck.-on-Shannon) provided Secondary education with the facility for obtaining the Matric.
There were five County Councillors in Boyle: (out of a total of twenty six for the County Roscommon)
1 John Beirne T.D. Lugnashammer, Croghan, Boyle
2 Thomas L. Callan, Warren, Boyle.
3 James Doherty, Cootehall, Boyle
4 Senator Peter T. Lynch, Keadue, Boyle.
5 Michael McLoughlin, Laragon, Corrigeenroe, Boyle
Town Clerk: Michael Nerney.
Court Clerk: Daniel Crosbie.
Treasurer: National Bank.
The Abbey Cinema: In the ownership of John Lowe & Co.. The official name of this Cinema was: "The Boyle Picture Theatre".
Library: Branch of Roscommon Co. Library, Bridge Street. Librarian – Edward McGee.
Tennis: Gerard Dodd was Hon. Secretary of the Irish Lawn Tennis Association (Connaught Council). Club affiliated to the Association by: Dr. R. J. B. Madden, Tangier, Boyle
Golf: Boyle had a nine hole golf course. The Secretary was: W. H. Bushell "St. Judes"
Dance Halls: The Clews and St. Patrick's in St. Patrick Street. St. Joseph's Hall was built much later.
Dancing Teacher: Miss McGowan.
Music Teachers: Edward McGee and Nancy O'Connor.
Banks:
1 Bank of Ireland – T.F.S.Fullerton, Gaynor and W. Morris.
2 National Bank - J. Martin, M.McDermott and I. O'Sullivan
3 Northern Bank - J. G. Nesbitt.
Post Office: J. Coleman, Postmaster. Part of the Post Office building was called "Post Office House".
Convent of Mercy: Mother O'Leary was the Superioress and managed the convent which was a National School. She also managed the Convent's Steam Laundry which traded under the name of "St. Vincent". The laundry employed twenty six local girls and three local men. The Mercy Order in Boyle did not have an Industrial School or a Magdalen Home.
Abbey: Is in the townland of Knocknashee. Boyle was listed as a town under the "Town Improvements Act 1854". Boyle is part of the old Moylurg Territory which extends from the Curlieu Mountains (Hills) on the north to Elphin in the south and in the east from the Shannon to Lough Gara in the west.
Four Restaurants:
1 K. Doherty, "Bonne Bouche", Main Street.
2 Lynch's House.
3 McNamaras Cafe.
4 McDonaghs, Patrick Street
"ROYAL HOTEL"
Mrs. MacManaway was Manageress of the "Royal". In the year that I left Boyle town, this Hotel was advertised as having twenty four bedrooms, all with hot and cold water. Spring interior mattresses and bed light in each room. The Hotel had its own putting green and tennis courts. It could garage sixteen cars with five "lock ups". It was fully licensed and had electric light throughout. It was registered an Irish Tourist Board Grade "A" Hotel and the telephone number was Boyle 16.
It was in this hotel that the fictional father in John McGahern's book asked the son on the top of his voice "whats the dearesht on that yoke" (menu) - "The duck replied the son" very embarrassed in front of the English Anglers who were about to sit down for their evening dinner. "Krisht we'll have the duck" replied the father, with no hint of embarrassment. All that showed on that evening was his newly acquired pride over his son winning the scholarship. And in a very loud voice he addressed the anglers "this lad won the scholarship, and he bet the kemisht (chemist)son."!!
Authority: I did not give permission to change the name of the "Burma Road" into Cootehall St./Rd. whatever.!! The same applies to "Tangier Terrace" - who said that should be Lower Marian Road?!!
Key to the year which is covered by all the information given:
You must first establish the year in which I was born. The clues are hereunder. When you find the year I was born, add eighteen, and then you will have the year covered by all the information
given.
Clues:
Irish President : Office not yet established.
Taoiseach : Eamon de Valera
British P.M. : Ramsay MacDonald
Pope : Pius XI
Pint of Guinness : 10d
Loaf of Bread : 4 1/2d.
Pound of Creamery Butter : 1s 4 1/2d.
Newspaper : 2d.
3 b/r house in city : £670
Average cost of car : £500
Yearly Wage : £129
Gallon of Petrol : ls 7d
20 Cigarettes : 1s
I share my birthday with : I will not tell you. That would make it too easy.
Grand National Winner that year was : Kellsboro' Jack
All Ireland Winners:
Football: Cavan 2-5 Galway 1-4
Hurling: Kilkenny 1-7 Limerick 0-6
Tennis: Wimbledon Winners – Men: John Crawford Women: Helen Moody
FA Cup: Everton 3 Man.City 0
The most popular film was "King Kong"
The most popular band was Ted Weems
The most popular singer was Dick Powel.
In that year Germany established the first "telex" operation between Berlin and Hamburg.
As already said, and at the risk of repeating myself, when you establish the year of my birth, add eighteen, and that is the year when I left Boyle for the first time. All the details, excluding the clues, recorded here about Boyle relate to that year. Goodbye and good luck.
You must first establish the year in which I was born. The clues are hereunder. When you find the year I was born, add eighteen, and then you will have the year covered by all the information
given.
Clues:
Irish President : Office not yet established.
Taoiseach : Eamon de Valera
British P.M. : Ramsay MacDonald
Pope : Pius XI
Pint of Guinness : 10d
Loaf of Bread : 4 1/2d.
Pound of Creamery Butter : 1s 4 1/2d.
Newspaper : 2d.
3 b/r house in city : £670
Average cost of car : £500
Yearly Wage : £129
Gallon of Petrol : ls 7d
20 Cigarettes : 1s
I share my birthday with : I will not tell you. That would make it too easy.
Grand National Winner that year was : Kellsboro' Jack
All Ireland Winners:
Football: Cavan 2-5 Galway 1-4
Hurling: Kilkenny 1-7 Limerick 0-6
Tennis: Wimbledon Winners – Men: John Crawford Women: Helen Moody
FA Cup: Everton 3 Man.City 0
The most popular film was "King Kong"
The most popular band was Ted Weems
The most popular singer was Dick Powel.
In that year Germany established the first "telex" operation between Berlin and Hamburg.
As already said, and at the risk of repeating myself, when you establish the year of my birth, add eighteen, and that is the year when I left Boyle for the first time. All the details, excluding the clues, recorded here about Boyle relate to that year. Goodbye and good luck.
Frank / 27.03.'06
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