Welcome to Episode 67 of the Voices Of Boyle Podcast! 

In episode 67 of the Voices of Boyle podcast, I sit down with Dermot Beggan, a familiar face to many around town.

Dermot grew up in Smoterna, just outside Boyle, with Lough Key practically in his back garden! He shares his journey from leaving school to working his way up to becoming General Manager of Lough Key Forest Park, a place where he first worked many years ago. It’s a real full-circle story.

We chat about the current activities on offer at the park, the exciting developments planned for the future (there are some amazing plans in the pipeline!), and how he played a huge role in bringing the Balloon Championships back home to Lough Key.

For many of us, the memories of those crisp September mornings, watching the colourful balloons rise above the Boyle skyline, are something special. Now, with a week-long festival planned that includes two flights per day, there’s a real buzz about seeing the balloons fill the skies once again.

Lough Key is the perfect setting for the balloon championship to take place, and Dermot gives us all the details. Finally, we talk about the importance of Boyle town in Lough Key’s existence and how it’s the support from local people that will help the park to continue to thrive. 

Enjoy the episode! 

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53rd Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships 

20th-26th September 2025 – Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, County Roscommon 

The event kicks-off on Saturday evening the 20th of September with flights planned morning (7am) and evening (5:30pm) for the week, weather permitting.