About This Episide

Childhood Roots in Boyle

In this episode, James Candon takes us back to his early days, beginning with his birth in Dublin in 1943 and his return to Boyle shortly after. He recounts his school years spent across Convent National School, Deer Park School, and St. Mary’s College, eventually finishing his secondary education in Blackrock College, Dublin. He reflects on how he never quite fitted into the sporty atmosphere there but still came out on top in fifth year.

From Tea Chests to Economics

James began his working life in the tea trade in Belfast, starting with the Twinings company. He recalls his very first day vividly.

“The first question he said to me is, where do you come from, boy? I said, I come from Boyle in County Roscommon, sir.”

Amazingly, the man then asked if he knew Big Clark, who, as fate would have it, turned out to be James’s future father-in-law!

James would go on to study economics and politics at Queen’s University, eventually becoming president of the Economic Society. His academic and professional journey led him back to Boyle to work in the family business, a bustling enterprise that included wholesale groceries, animal feed milling, sugar brokering, and more.

Horses, Carts, and a Hometown Business

One standout section of the conversation revolves around James’s memories of the family-run business in Boyle. They used horses and carts to deliver goods across the region, serving small country shops as far as 40 miles from town. The team included two drivers, Jimmy McGarry and Peter McLachlan, each with their own draft horse.

Boyle’s Town Crier and Festival Days

Carlo steers the conversation into some rich social history with James’s story about Ned Kelly, Boyle’s last town crier.

“Ned was brought up in the workhouse in Sligo… he was a town crier in Boyle and in Sligo and had a great voice.”

James describes how Ned struck up a friendship with his father and became almost like family. There’s warmth and humour in his account of Ned’s unique phrasing and routines. The bell Ned used to ring is now lost to time, but his presence clearly left a lasting impression.

They also touch on the gala festivals that brought the town together in the past. James himself was involved in setting up the festivals and events that brought huge crowds to the Pleasure Grounds.

Cycling, Twinning, and Community Spirit

James also shared stories of organising trips with the Boyle Cycling Club and his involvement in the town’s twinning with Sandwich in France. These community initiatives, whether through sport, language exchange, or business, paint a picture of a man who helped stitch together many of Boyle’s social fabrics.