Boyle in Co. Roscommon, nestles
between two lovely loughs and is watched over by the imposing Curlew
Mountains. Malcolm Rogers visits this lovely spot.
Boyle, Co. Roscommon:
Mainistir na Búille; Monastery of the River Boyle
Where in the world:
At the northerly end of Roscommon, some 110 miles north west of
Dublin on the main Dublin to Sligo N4, and about 135 miles south
west of Belfast.
Nearest airports: Sligo and Knock.
Description:
Boyle is a beautifully-situated town nestling between Lough Gara
and Lough Key, with the dramatic and surprisingly wild Curlew Mountains
as a backdrop.
The town's many historical buildings and archaeological sites
are of national importance.
Why you might want to go there:
The scenic - and teeming - lakes of Lough Key, Lough Arrow and Lough
Gara attract fishermen from all over Europe, making the region one
of the most popular angling destinations in the country.
History:
Lengthy - Boyle developed round the greatest estate in Co. Roscommon,
Rockingham, which today makes up the Lough Key Forest Park.
In the town itself the most dramatic building is Boyle Abbey,
the well-preserved remains of the Cistercian monastery standing
on the banks of the Boyle River.
This 12th century religious establishment was built under the
patronage of the local MacDermott clan, but in later times it came
under extreme duress in the Cromwellian and Elizabethan eras.
However, enough of it remains to give an insight into what life
during the Irish Middle Ages might have been like for the average
monk.
You can almost imagine the job description adverts: "Mainistir
na Búille is an established abbey and is looking to appoint a dynamic
and experienced monk to work as part of a team illuminating large
capital letters to tight deadlines."
Mind you, as the Cistercian abbots of Clairvaux liked to pick
places that reminded them of France (Mellifont, Roscommon) the adverts
were probably in French.
You can visit the Abbey June to mid-September.
Anything else worthy of note in the town?:
King House, the residence of the King family in the 18th century,
is well worth a dander around. It is open to the public from May
to September.
The original Sir John King, a Stafford man was granted the land
for "reducing the Irish to obedience" - so don't forget - KEEP OFF
THE GRASS!
Sounds like quite a historical town. You'd better keep going
...
Well, at the far end of the town is Frybrook House which dates
back exactly 250 years to 1752 when it was founded by Henry Fry,
a Quaker.
This is probably the same Quaker Frys as Cadbury-Frys the confectioner,
although the Boyle Frys (who were, believe it or not, originally
French Frys) came to Roscommon to get weaving. A community of weavers
was soon set up and the industry thrived in the area.
Anything else worth a look at in the environs?
The aforementioned Lough Key Forest Park boasts as good a walk as
you'll find in, well, a long day's march. Gothic follies, loughs
with hints of the occult about them, as well as sables, icehouses
and subterranean passages to keep servants out of sight of the owners
of the Great House.
If you're really keen on exploring the area you could join the
Boyle Curlew Walkers who cut a swathe through the area every second
Sunday - see the local press for details. The annual Curlew Walking
Festival also takes place mid-September. Call 00 353 79 62872, or
00 353 86 8138979
Could you amplify on that occult lough business?
Certainly. The story goes that W. B. Yeats, old Silly Willie, was
certain there was a spiritual presence hereabouts, and he planned
to base an Irish cult devoted to the occult principles of Theosophy
and the Order Of the Golden Dawn in a disused castle on one of Lough
Key's islands.
The idea was simple enough - his group would trap the hidden
forces of the land and use it in the services of the Nationalist
cause. It has to be pointed out that W. B. was fond of a bit of
blow.
And would there be a pub in the area to ruminate on these surprising
revelations?
Don't miss The Moving Stairs on the Crescent, which has music from
Thursday to Sunday and a great atmosphere every night of the week.
Boyle shouldn't be confused with:
Boyle's Law, discovered by Waterford man Robert Boyle, the Father
of Chemistry.
