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Bits 'n Pieces
Among the duties of the scouts until the early '80s was the stewarding of the annual parish retreat in St Peters Church. This involved ensuring that as many people as possible were in each seat, and when all of these were filled, then long stools were brought out and set up in every available vacant space. Providing a Guard of Honour at many religious occasions was and still is a duty of the scouts. The Scouts provided the Guard of Honour at the Corpus Christi Processions, Blessed Oliver Processions, and for the Cardinal and visiting dignitaries on many occasions. During the war emergency years our Scouts were involved as runners with the local L.D.F. on manoeuvers and when Belfast was bombed by German planes met the refugees at the Railway Station and they escorted them to the various centres that had been set up in town to accommodate them. One of the yearly highlights was our Scout Show, produced most professionally by Mr. Vincent Gogarty, using only scout talent to fill the bill - amazing what talent was available in those days. Among those taking part were Larry Gogarty, whose comedy acts were really great. He was renowned for his gags, monologues and songs. One of his favourite monologues was entitled "The Railway to the Quay". Other equally talented scouts were Seamus Lynch, Paddy Bell, and Mick McGowan (Harmonica Trio), Des Courtney (Accordion) and Oliver Bowden who acted the female parts in the short sketches. He was the Danny LaRue of our time. The of course we had the gymnastics team trained by Johnny "SIKI" Coyle - a perfectionist. I can recall when this team once gave a display in the old Christian Brothers field in the Windmill Rd. - where the Hospital now stands. Johnny also trained a team of scouts for a boxing competition at the Pontana Fete in 1936.
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The Scout shows were in great demand in many local areas like Tullyallen, Clogherhead and Termonfeckin. I remember coming home one night from Clogherhead in a car driven by the late Fr. McCooey. He was travelling at top speed and the car was only hitting the road in spots. When someone remarked how well the car was going (those were the days of petrol rationing and low grade petrol) he replied "Ah, sure that's not ordinary petrol - that's some of the stuff out of that aeroplane which was shot down near Termonfeckin this morning". Many of the Scouts of our time became priests - Rev. Joe Sheridan, Rev. Alec Lennon, Rev. Ken Murray, Rev. Richard McCullen, Rev. John Murphy, Rev. Patsy Floyd and his brother, Rev. Liam Floyd.
In 1949, a member of the troop, Pearse Kelly (aged 12 at the time) was awarded the National Headquarters Certificate of Honour for displaying "unusual bravery and heroism" in rescuing another youth from drowning. The incident had occurred some two years beforehand and the Drogheda Independent of 8th March 1947 takes up the story :
	"Rescued from Drowning" "Plucky Drogheda Boy" "A skating tragedy was averted at the Glen at Newfoundwell on Monday afternoon through the plucky action of Pearse Kelly (10) from Pearse Park. A crowd of local boys were playing on the frozen pond, which is 12 feet deep in parts, when one of them went through the ice and disappeared. After a few minutes his head appeared above the freezing water but he was unable to pull himself out. The Pearse Park youth walked cautiously across the icy pond and dragged the youth to safety."

In biting wind, boy scouts in light cotton tunics, stood stiffly to attention with units of other uniformed organisations in the town and marched with the St Peter's Brass and Reed Band to lead the Cardinal's motorcade through the flag decked town to St. Peter's Church. Drogheda Independent on occasion of reception for the new Cardinal, Dr Conway. A Scout Unit consists of a number of sections, Beaver Colony (6-8), Cub Scout Pack (8-10), Scout Troop (10-15), a Venturer Group (15-18), and a Rover (18 +). The Units in a Region are represented at a Regional Council, which advises the Regional Commissioner on the promotion and development of scouting in that Region. The Units and Regional Councils of the Association send delegates to the National Council which is the ruling body of Scouting Ireland CSI. This meets once a year, and during the year it's powers are exercised by the National Executive Board, which is elected by National Council. The National Council is responsible for the representation of Scouting Ireland CSI in dealings with the State and Local Authorities and for contact with other Scout Associations. Scouting Ireland CSI is a member of the Federation of Irish Scout Associations, founded in 1965. Each member of the federation is fully independent and autonomous, but through the FISA each participates in International Scouting.
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	First National Scouts

Annual Camps

Since 1935, Drogheda Boy Scouts have hiked and camped in many parts of the country and indeed overseas. The earlier annual camps were cautious and by today's standards probably not considered adventurous. However, those two weeks spent at Rush annually represented the ultimate in enjoyment to those Scouts of 40 and 50 years ago. The adults of today still speak of those days with fond memories. In later years, Rush was completely forgotten as more ambitious ideas were proposed at Unit Council Meetings. Rush was regarded as the back garden of Drogheda and the Scouts now wanted to see Ireland. The later venues for annual camp cover the 4 corners of Ireland; from Cork to Bundoran; from Clifden to Dublin and a host of places in between (such as Stradbally, Killarney, Ravensdale, Lough Key, Westport, Portumna). Our Scouts have also pitched their tents overseas; in Scotland (Auchengillan 1960 and 1961), in England (Tawd Vale, Liverpool in 1969 and Gilwell Park, London in 1978), the Isle of Man (1980) and of course two pilgrimages to Lourdes (1958 and 1968) and one to Bath (1936). Actually, a number of these campsites have been visited at least twice by the Unit. The reason given for the return visits are usually very varied memories, perhaps of friendly people and villages (maybe even sweethearts?) provoking the return. Or that the campsite was ideally situated (i.e. not too far from the sweet shop). Anyway, one such campsite was Auchengilan, Scotland in 1960 and again in 1961. Drogheda's Scouts have held Annual Camps in may places. Annual camps were suspended during the run-up to Lourdes as there was a huge fundraising drive during 1956, 1957, and 1958. Annual Camps were resumed in 1959 with a camp at Kenure Park. It was back to our usual campsite, Kenure Park in Rush for our two weeks under canvas in 1959. It was one of the warmest summers we had for a long time. We had our daily visit from Col. Fredrick Palmer while he was out exercising his horse in the morning and we all became very friendly with him. The highlight of the camp was when he invited us to spend the night in his mansions. The stories that were told about the haunted room in the mansion were told time and time again that night and some of the boys re-lived the part of the ghost only to be caught by Billy Martin and given the job of peeling all the potatoes for the rest of camp. We spent many an enjoyable night around the campfire with Jim Walsh and his accordion and all of us singing our favourite campfire songs. On one of those nights a Scouter from H.Q. - none other than P.J. Killackey who Billy knew very well, joined us. P.J. had a complete new array of campfire songs and yarns. We all listened to PJ in amazement until way past midnight. However, the first overseas camp to the Scottish Scout Association's Campsite "Auchengillan" near Loch Lomand the following year, marked a watershed in venues for Annual Camps, One of the great features about a Scout camp is the spirit of friendship that is generated. Not just the comradeship between Scouts themselves, but that built up with other Troops who may be camping nearby, and naturally, the badge swapping sessions are an important part of diplomatic relations with other Troops. For most Scouts the swapping of badges is their first introduction to the hustle and bustle of the business world.
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	More National Scout Awards

Certainly the international camps in Lios More '67 and Mount Mellary '77 were ideal opportunities for our Scouts to put their "business" brains to the test. These were jamborees to celebrate the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland's (CBSI) 40th and 50th anniversaries. There were Scouts and Guides present form all over the country and the world. At these camps everyone shared adventures and experiences, exchanged ideas (and badges') and came home with memories to last a lifetime. The attraction of Jamborora '77, together with sponsorship from some local firms and subsidies from the Units finance committee ensured that the Unit had its biggest ever number of Scouts attending camp that year. In fact the 88 Drogheda Scouts who travelled to Mt. Mellary in 1977 was one of the biggest contingents to attend the camp - and also one of the best equipped, thanks to the sponsorship and careful budgeting by the treasurer. In the early days when the Scouts went camping it was a big occasion. A reporter from the local press would be present as the boys set off. Even after arriving on camp the Scouts would arouse much local interest. On one occasion, in Bundoran 1949, the local Parish Priest, Archdeacon Quinn visited the campsite. He stroller around chatting to the boys and then, much to everyone's amazement (but delight), invited everybody into town to the cinema! Because of this generous gesture, Archdeacon Quinn was very highly regarded by the Troop members and nobody was a bit surprised when he became Bishop of Kilmore a few years later. The opinion among the Scouts at the time was that it was a long overdue and richly deserved appointment - and where was Kilmore and was there a campsite and cinema nearby?
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*Star Scout Presentation A The 60th Anniversary Celebrations*
"Campfires" are the more usual form of evening entertainment for camping Scouts. Tradition has it that the last night on annual camp is reserved for the "main" campfire. Any previous campfires can be considered as mere rehearsals for this, the big one. There is a great buzz of excitement on the campsite all day. Patrols are huddled together busily preparing their sketches. The pile of firewood by the campfire circle steadily growing and the tension rises as darkness falls. Suddenly there is an orange glow in the night sky. A crackling noise fills the silent air and a mini-fireworks display of daring orange sparks shoots upwards as another log is thrown on the fire. And then, at last a voice.
	*"Everyone to the campfire circle - and bring your mugs".*
Within a few minutes the campfire is well under way. Everyone sings at full voice. The songs of course are still much the same as they were 50 years ago. The contents of the Quartermaster's store seems to have changed little in half a century. Those six white horses have yet to descend what must be a bottomless mountain. And grannies are still being thrown from buses! In turn each patrol does its sketch and, invariably, there are the solo spots. These have produced a wide variety of talent throughout the years. There have been boy sopranos, comedians, tap dancers, comedians, magicians, comedians, and comedians. But soon the campfire must end. "We have a hard day ahead tomorrow so get a good nights sleep", says the Scout leader. Soup is then served and all go back to their tents. The camp may be almost over, but it will be re-lived a thousand times that night in the tents. The campfire, the cinema, the swapped badges, the mushroom soup, the boat strike, the wet firewood, and so many more incidents which are strictly patrol secrets. We will never know what midnight ghost stories were told, or what really happened on the way into town-or how many wasps were in the jam.
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Scouting memories from some of the first scouts 1930s & 40s
My earliest memory of scouting is going to the Catholic Action Hall in Fair St., to become a member of the 3rd Louth Troop. There I met, for the first time, Scoutmaster Billy Martin and Assistant Scoutmaster Billy Kelly. I remember that Billy Martin looked so big to me, a small boy, and I felt scared of him, but in no time at all I felt really happy. He was a man who mixed with the boys and at the same time he was like a father to them all a truly great gentleman. My first weeks were spent learning the Scout law, the promise and the prayer, and also learning about knots and first-aid. The first highlight of my scouting life was the investiture where dressed in our new navy shirts, short pants and mountie hat, we were given out neckerchiefs and staves. We received the blessing from our Chaplain, Father Rice. On most Sunday mornings in the summer our Troop went to the Drogheda Railway Station to escort pilgrimages from every part of Ireland to the Shrine of Blessed Oliver Plunkett.
	In 1936 our troop went o a pilgrimage to Downside Abbey in Bath to visit Blessed Oliver's Shrine. Twenty thrilled and very excited young Scouts boarded the 9pm boat from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead one Saturday night. For the majority of us it was our first journey outside the country. Our party travelled throughout the night to Gloucester where we attended early morning Mass in the enormous Cathedral. Then it was back on the train and on to Bath. From there we travelled by Coach to Downside Abbey where we attended the ceremonies. As soon as these ended it was back to the train and on to Holyhead and back home - arriving at 10am. It was a very hectic weekend but still worth remembering. ?
Rev. Fr. P. McDonnell was our Chaplain at the time and he always enjoyed camping with us. He would bring his gun, thanks to him; we had rabbit for dinner occasionally. He was a great man for playing football but he sure knew how to hit you. When he went for the ball you kept out of his way or you ended up feeling sore after colliding with him. Another young priest who enjoyed camping with us was Fr. P. O'Kelly, who is now the Parish Priest of Tullyallen. He would bring his boat and he spent most of his time sailing and teaching the boys how to swim. Some of the Scouts I remember on those camps were: Barney Kelly, Larry Gogarty, Turlough Lynch, Vincent Roche, Paddy Bell, Jimmy Murray, Jim Byrne, Dick Murphy, Noel Grogan, Paddy Williams, Seamus Lynch, Joe McCullough, Joe Sheridan and Brendan Gorman. Some of the funny incidents that happened at camps with this lot are worth recording. There was the night that four of them sneaked out to a dance and were only back in bed, fully clothed, with eyes tightly closed when Billy Martin put his head into the tent to check if anybody is missing. The next morning after attending our daily Mass, we went to 'Keanes' shop for the papers and sweets accompanied by Fr. McDonnell. The first question asked in the shop was "How did the boys enjoy last night's dance"? As you can imagine there were a few red faces but our Chaplain pretended he never heard the question and the story ended there in the shop.
There was also the morning that a scout announced that he had a sore hand and couldn't go to Mass but would stay in bed until the rest returned. Billy's remedy was very simple - he emptied a dish of cold water over him. He got up and attended Mass. Then there was the incident when one of our scouts got up out of bed and got his flint gun to kill all the black beetles in his tent. When he awoke the following morning he wanted to know who had put his flint gun in his bed. We got it hard to convince him that he had been sleepwalking. We were camping in Rush one year in very hot weather when one scout got his back badly burnt with the sun. I can recall how we knocked up a chemist at 11p.m. that night for two bottles of calamine lotion, which we had to pour over his back and spread with a knife. It cured him and next day he was ok. Then there was the Scout on camp running short of cash who purchased a post card marked "short of bread - send some dough" - and posted it home without a stamp. When I asked why he did that he told me that if he put a stamp on it his parents might think he had money. When a parent visited a camp on week-end to see his son he asked Billy Martin how his son was getting on and if he could tie his shoelaces yet as his mother had always tied them for him heretofore. Billy told him that if his son doesn't tie them himself here, he will fall over the place as no one else will tie them for him. On the final morning on camp when all the sausages had to be cooked and eaten a certain scout polished off sixteen of them for breakfast. Of course they were "BYRNE'S" sausages - see what I mean. One of the most loveable characters ever to Camp with us was Jimmy Lambe. Jimmy, a man in his fifties, worked with Billy Martin in the British & Irish Steampacket Co. in Drogheda. On Camp, he was in charge of the kitchen and when he gave an order to a particular duty patrol regarding cooking, firewood, water, carrying or washing up, heaven help anyone caught slacking. He always brought a large jar of bread soda with him to Camp and no matter what ailment one suffered, his treatment of a spoonful in cold milk cured every ache and pain.
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The night I joined the scouts went as follows:
	"How old are you?" "Ten, Sir". "When were you ten?" "Next February, Sir". (Laughter)
These are memorable words at my first Scout meeting with the late, sainted Billy Martin as Scoutmaster. Joseph (Blackie) Hughes, Colm Hand and myself were altar boys in St. Peters and we decided to join the Scouts. We were christened the 'terrible three' by Billy and were put into the Lion Patrol under Mickey Bailey (R.I.P.), then a tough 14 year old Patrol Leader. I can still remember the wonder of our first annual camp in Kenure Perk in 1947. It was beautiful wooded parkland (now a housing estate) dominated by Kenure House, a pillared Georgian mansion lived in by the late Col. Palmer.


3rd Louth Scouts- Winners Of Regional Shield 1991

The childhood memories all seemed sunsoaked and hazy but they will always be strong; Joe Plunkett's 3 wheeler car; Liam Leonard's weekly parcel of goodies from Drogheda (1949 was just after the war and sweets and chocolates were still scarce commodities); Ollie Nelis in the store tent; Brendan O'Gorman bringing the entire Troop on a route march to Loughshinny; the daily two mile morning walk to morning Mass on empty stomachs; and (if the wind was in the right direction) the smell of the frying sausages we could get when returning to camp; the wash-outs when we had to leave the tents and sleep in Col. Palmer's barn with the red door in the cool, shaded woods - we seemed to spend so much of the day going the quarter mile for the buckets of water because we loved it; the daily walk to the beach for the swim; the games of rounders; the wood collecting for the fire; the Rockabill fog horn on foggy days and nights; the 'Killarney' and greasepit; the flagpole with rosary and night prayers; the daily inspection of tents; the atmosphere at the stream for the morning wash. All great memories and repeated so often. We camped in Bundoran, which was completely different, but Rush had something special, all the more so because now it's gone. Today the whole area is unrecognisable, but it will always be there for us in our memories.
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Excerpts from the Camp Log Book of Annual Camp at Ravensdale in 1939.

The troop scribe was Turlough Lynch. The followings reports from Turlough's graphic account of the camp illustrate various lighter moments of camp.


	Thursday 27 July 1939 At about 1.30 a.m. called for Joe McCullough to polish Paddy Weldon's face. I stayed where I was and a few minutes later Joe cane rushing into the tent, tripped across me, and fell on his bed hysterical with the laughing. When I came too he told me he got Weldon lovely all over the face. By this time I had got out of my sleepy mood and the two of us went out to polish Paddy Bell, the Senior Patrol Leader. I dipped my fingers in the polish. Joe McCullough showed where he thought Paddy Bell slept, so I put my hand under the wall of the tent and smeared the polish all over his face. When we had this job done we called for Seamus Stewart, and decided to polish Paddy Grogan and Seamus Lynch who slept in the end tent. To do this we had to pass by the tent where Mr Martin and Billy Kelly and Mr Lamb slept. We crept by as easily as we could. We shone a flash lamp into the end tent and saw that the scouts were not sleeping as was usual but slept with their heads in the centre of the tent. This meant that we had to go into the tent to do our dirty work. We were just opening up the flap when we heard a fumbling noise in Mr Martin's tent. We quit our job and ran around to the side of the tent and sat down on the grass to await developments. In less than a minute we heard a noise beside us. We looked up and there was Mr Martin and B Kelly looking down at us. We were trapped, and what else could we do but burst out laughing. Mr Martin wasn't angry but told us to go back to our tents and not to be acting like children. We did as we were told and went to bed. When I woke up in the morning the whole camp was up and about. By the noise going on outside I knew that the breakfast was almost ready and I felt it queer that I should be let sleep on as long. I looked around and there was no one left in the tent except Joe McCullough. He was lying on his back with his forehead and both his cheeks well polished. I stretched over to my kit bag and took a mirror out. One of my cheeks was well blackened and I got another dab on the point of my nose. I then woke Joe up, and we agreed that it must have been Mr Martin and B. Kelly that did it when they came to call us. We dressed ourselves and went up to the dam to wash it off. When we came back we were met with a lot of tittering and laughing with some witty remarks which passed off us like water off a duck's back. Barney Kelly told us that when Mr Martin and himself went to call us they couldn't resist the temptation. They polished one side of both our faces. Later on, when he looked into our tent he saw that Joe McCullough had turned over, so he went and got the polish and polished the other cheek. He said that when they heard us fumbling about last night they looked for a bucket of water but they were locked up in the store tent. Lucky for us. *Friday 28 July 1939* At about 1 a.m. Joe McCullough and myself decided to do mischief, as we were not in form for sleep. I remembered a good trick saw before. I got a chocolate box out of my kit bag that I had for holding accessories and cut out a nose, mouth, and two eyes with my sheath knife on the lid of it and put a flash lamp into it. It looked great so we decided to try it on Mr Martin's tent first. Our idea was to hang it over on the hedge and then to go and bring Mr Martin out to see it. We got out of bed, put on our overcoat and shoes and went out into the night. We were on our way over to the hedge when we heard a voice from the direction of the store tent "whose there?" and "stop them tricks bud". Of course who else could it be but that mystery man of the night Barney Kelly. We then ran over and shut up Barney and showed and showed him the trick and explained our plans to him. We then decided to alter our plans and to let Barney bring Mr Martin out. I went over and hung the "skull" on the hedge and went with Joe into our tent. We lay on our beds looking out under the flap. After a while Barney went over to Mr Martin's tent and said" what's that light over on the hedge?" "What light?" said Mr Martin. "A skull or something, come out and see it" says Barney. The next thing we saw was Mr Martin out of his tent barefooted with no overcoat or anything on but his sleeping suit. "That's queer" says he to Barney, "Go over and see what it is". When Barney was over getting it Mr Martin turned and spoke into Mr Lamb "I wonder what it could be Jimmy?" "Ah I suppose it's some of the lads playing a joke, come into bed or you'll get a cold out there" says Mr Lamb. "Ah I suppose it is" and in he goes to his tent. When Barney showed the doings to Mr Martin we went out from under cover and redeemed it. We then went round the other tents shining it in. We didn't wake any of the scouts that were asleep, but some of them that were awake got a queer fright. Paddy Weldon nearly jumped through the roof. When the joke was finished we went back to bed. However we regretted putting it on the hedge for Mr Martin, instead of putting it on the Flagpole which was near his tent. It was too far away from his tent for him to distinguish the features properly.	Top Of Page



Meritorious Awards To Leaders In St. Olivers Unit

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	"A Chara, A committee has been formed here and a Scoutmaster and Assistant provisionally selected with a view to establishing a Troop of the C.B.S.I. in the parish of St. Peter's. The project has the enthusiastic support of Rt. Rev. Monsgr. P. Lyons, P.P., V.G., Drogheda, who has called the Committee together. As acting Secretary I have been asked to apply to you for registration and the necessary official permission to form a Troop, and shall be glad to have a reply as soon as possible. "Mise le meas."
Headquarters replied the very next day granting official permission to start the Troop, and so eight years after the founding of C.B.S.I., the 3rd Louth Troop joined the ranks of the Scouting organisation. Blessed Oliver Plunkett was adopted as the Patron of the Troop and the colour of the neckerchiefs was decided on as scarlet and light purple. The late William (Billy) Martin of 33 Magdalene Street was chosen as Scoutmaster, and William (Billy) Kelly of Rathmullen was chosen as Assistant Scoutmaster.
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The first Troop Committee comprised the following:

Rt. Rev. Monsignor P. Lyons, P.P., V.G. (later Bishop of Clogher)
Mr. V.G. Gogarty, Lawrence Street
Mr. L.F. Branigan, Lawrence Street
Mr W. Behan, Lawrence Street
Dr. J. Hardy, Lawrence Street
Mr.C.F. Bellew, West Street
Mr.A. McQuillan, West Street
Rev. Fr. Rice C.C. (Chaplain)

On the 8th December 1935 the first patrol of eight scouts were invested. These were:
John Behan
Oliver Bowden
Larry Gogarty
Turlough Lynch
Oliver McKeown
Vincent Roche
Mick Sheridan
Frank Taaffe
The patrol named themselves the Fox Patrol and Turlough Lynch was their Patrol Leader.

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Landmark Dates

1908	Scouting founded in UK by Baden Powell Shortly afterwards there were groups in Ireland in the main towns / cities.
1927	Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland were formed.
1935	Drogheda Troop "Blessed Oliver's Own" formed. First Investiture on 8th Dec in Drill Hall Duke Street.
1936	First annual camp at Gormanston
1939/44	The Troop acts as runners for the L.D.F. during the war emergency.
1939	Pilgrimage to Blessed Oliver's Shrine at Downside Abbey near Bath.
1940s	Most annual camps in the early years were at Ravensdale, Gormanston, Hampton Court, Balbriggan, and Bundoran.
1947	Annual camp was held at Kenure Park, Rush for first time
1958	60 scouts and committee take part in National CBSI Centenary pilgrimage to Lourdes.
1959	Troop act as principal Guard of Honour at ceremonies for opening of the New Lourdes Church. Annual Camp at Kenure Park, Rush.
1960	First Venturer group for over 16s formed. Silver Jubilee of Founding of Scouts in Drogheda.
1960	First overseas Annual Camp at Auchengillan Scout Camp in Scotland.
1960s	Venues for Annual Camp still more adventurous, e.g. Tawd Vale, Gilwell Park, The Isle of Man, & Killarney.
1963	The first Cub Scout Pack is formed in association with the Sisters of Charity Fair Street.
1965	New Parochial Centre at Peter Street opened and the Scouts transfer from the Catholic Action Hall at Fair St.
1965	The Scout Association of Northern Ireland, The Scout Association of Ireland and, the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland form the Federation of Irish Scout Associations (F.I.S.A.). This is affiliated to the World Scouting Association and CBSI members can now attend and take part in International Scout Jamborees and activities. Because of increasing numbers of boys applying to join the scouts, a second Troop, the 4th Louth is formed
1967	Drogheda Scouts take part in "Lismore '67" International Jamboree to celebrate the 40th anniversary of C.B.S.I.
1968	New scout Hall at Rear of Parochial Centre Peter Street 30 Scouts and Leaders go to Lourdes.
1969	Annual Camp at Tawd Vale Scout Camp near Liverpool
1975/6	More Sections are opened
1977	6th Louth becomes first Drogheda Troop to win the Diocesan Competitions. Ninety Scouts and Leaders attend the International Jamboree at Mount Mellary to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the founding of CBSI.
1978	Annual Camp at Gilwell Park near London.
1979	The Unit provides with various duties on the occasion of the visit of Pope John Paul 11 to Killineer.
1980	Annual Camp in the Isle of Man. A Scout Unit is formed in St Mary's parish.
	The first Beaver colony is set up to cater for the 6/7 year olds. The unit's three Scout troops scored a hat-trick of victories in the Fane region's various competitions. The 6th Louth were overall winners at Scout Day,the 6th Louth won the Regional Quiz, and the 3rd Louth were first in the Regional Scoutcraft Competition. 3rd Louth Leader capture the first Fane Regional Trophy. National re-organisation of association results in the formation of the Fane Region, which now includes Carrickmacross, and all of county Louth.
1983

1985	Golden jubilee of founding of scouts in Drogheda. European tour to France including visits to Bordeaux, Lourdes, Antibes, and Lyon.
1997	"Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland" changed name to "Scouting Ireland CSI" "Scout Association of Ireland" changed it's name to "Scouting Ireland SAI" (654).
2000	Scouting Ireland CSI and Scouting Ireland SAI are considering forming a Single Scout Association of Ireland.
2003	A new single Association consisting of CSI and SAI is formed
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In 1907 Major General Robert Baden-Powell (later Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell) took twenty boys on camp to Brownsea Island, near Poole in Dorset. He was trying out an idea that had grown in his mind over many years. At Brownsea Island he saw that his idea of Scouting worked, and in 1908 he published "Scouting for Boys" in fortnightly parts. At once all over England boys took up the idea and formed their own patrols. Then finding that they needed help they asked grown-ups to give a hand, so Scout Troops began to bind these troops together, the Boy Scouts Association was founded in 1908.
Because Royal Charter protected this Association, no other Scout group could be started in Ireland until we got our independence. Though a few individual Scout groups existed in Ireland earlier, it was not until 1927 that the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland was formed by Father Tom Farrell, then a curate in the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin.
On the 24th May 1935 Mr Vincent Dempsey, Senior Member of Knights of St. Columbanus of 7, Sandyford Terrace, Drogheda, wrote to the Secretary of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland at 87 St Stephens Green Dublin as follows: