Local Notes: Bloom Festival Success, Book Signing, King House Exhibitions
The Connaught Rangers Association will host the special event in King House on Saturday, June 27th.
The staff of Ardcarne Garden Centre, Boyle recently returned from Dublin after achieving outstanding success at the Bord Bia Bloom Festival, where they were awarded a prestigious Silver Gilt Medal for their visually striking and highly original balcony garden design. Inspired by the natural beauty of the woodland landscape at Lough Key Forest Park and designed by Tom Bradford, the garden featured a creative twist by reimagining tropical indoor plants within a balcony setting. As the design evolved, a strong fictional character emerged as its inspiration. The Ardcarne team embraced the alter ego of the imagined balcony owner — a well-travelled explorer who had recreated elements of his adventures through carefully chosen mementoes and souvenirs, all surrounded by lush planting.
At the heart of the design was a comfortable armchair, accompanied by diaries, books and a glass of whiskey, creating a welcoming space for reflection and storytelling.
The Ardcarne team, made up of gardening “all-stars” from the Boyle area, received widespread praise throughout the June Bank Holiday weekend. Delighted with their success, they are already beginning to consider ideas for next year’s Bloom Festival.
Boyle Camera Club, founded in 2007, has for many years been delighted to stage an exhibition of members’ work at Boyle Arts Festival. This year, in 2026, the club is particularly pleased to be facilitated again in the renovated ‘An Ríoga’ (formerly the Royal Hotel). The club can be found on the second floor.
Boyle Camera Club was the first fully designated Digital Camera Club in Ireland and is affiliated to the Irish Photographic Federation. With membership growing steadily, the club is always delighted to see new members join. The club aims to provide opportunities for members to expand their knowledge of photography, develop their skills, and join like-minded enthusiasts for presentations, monthly motivations, photo shoots, field-trips and exhibitions. With groups for beginners, intermediate and advanced members, the club provides a forum to discuss photography and related topics of interest at all levels.
Boyle Camera Club members will be on hand throughout the exhibition and will be delighted to welcome all to view the exhibition of members’ photographs. Photographs will be available for sale. Do please come along.
The annual church gate collection in aid of the Lourdes Assisted Pilgrims section will be taken at all Masses this weekend, June 20th and 21st. Your support for this worthy cause would be appreciated.
Would you like a light-hearted story of mystery and romance? If so, pop into Better Buy on the Crescent, Boyle, this Wednesday, June 17th, where Jane Levingston will be signing copies of her debut novel, 'Sea Glass Secrets', between 4.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome.
Boyle Group Scheme Ltd. has the following vacancies on its Community Employment Scheme: general operatives (environmental workers), support workers, Citizen Information Office staff, and caretaker at St. Joseph's Resource Centre. No experience is necessary, and accredited training will be provided to support career development. The contract is for a minimum of one year. For eligibility, contact the local Department of Social Protection office or telephone 086 1456519, or email healyboyle-groupscheme@gmail.com for further information.
History enthusiasts and members of the local community are being invited to attend the official launch of two significant new exhibitions at King House in Boyle later this month.
The Connaught Rangers Association will host the special event on Saturday, June 27, at 2 p.m., marking the unveiling of displays which aim to bring the rich legacy of the famed regiment to life for visitors and descendants alike.
Central to the launch is the James Daly and Connaught Rangers Mutiny Exhibition, developed in collaboration with the Dagshai Jail Museum in India. The display features a detailed recreation of James Daly’s prison cell, offering a poignant insight into the events surrounding the Connaught Rangers Mutiny. An accompanying audiovisual presentation will further immerse visitors in the story and its lasting significance.
Also being unveiled is the Peninsular War Display, which explores the regiment’s role during the early 19th-century conflict. The exhibition highlights the courage and determination of the Connaught Rangers, who earned a formidable reputation on the battlefield, notably during the Battle of Talavera in 1809.
The launch event will also feature a talk by Dr Jyoti Atwal, Associate Professor at Nehru University, New Delhi, who will speak on the connections between India and the Connaught Rangers. Descendants of the mutineers have been invited to attend, with many expected to travel for the occasion.
Organisers say the new displays form part of an ongoing effort to create a dynamic and engaging space at King House, preserving and sharing the regiment’s history with a wider audience.
The Connaught Rangers Association has expressed its gratitude to all those who contributed to the project, including Michael Heavey of Heavey Technology, as well as Aaron McDonnell and Dawn Bates.
The event is free to attend and open to all. Members of the public are encouraged to come along, explore the exhibitions, and take part in what promises to be a memorable afternoon.
For further information, King House can be contacted at 087 1444739.
