©2005 St. Olivers Scout Group
Leadership Team
 
Scout Leaders
 
  • I don't know how this Kevin Bannon was dragged back into a Section. Just when he thought he had escaped. Kev (known as Rambo to those who have received a size 12 from him) has been Section Leader for a few years now and is aiming to lead them for another few years yet.
  • If you ever need a camp bitch well then Paul McKeon is your man but a man that can be relied upon. Paul has been a leader for 30 years although he only looks about 40. Sometimes thinks he's Eminem
  • Wannabe Nigel Mansell is David Walsh. All he's missing is the helment and driving skills, David has been in the Scouts since the tender age of 6. Unfortunately his mental aged has progressed like his hair line, however he continues to contribute greatly to the craic and commitment of Drogheda Scouting
  • Neil White is a paranoid chap, with a tendency to sleep with one eye open! This Leader always has an eye on everything that goes on. Currently working on the NASA computer system (sometimes we wonder whether he's actually up there himself), he's unreliable and always cutting his mothers grass on the weekend when activities are on!

 
  • Known as Squeeks from when he was smaller (an inch 5years ago), David Breen is the hippy of the Leader contingent. Although lacking the hair to be a hippy he has the imitation Vespa and baggy pants that a Section could use as a tent. We're awaiting his debut album
 
 
David Breen, David Walsh, Kevin Bannon, Gareth McGeown, Neil White, Paul McKeon.
 
 
Cub Leaders
 
  • Willie Reilly is a big presence in the Unit. A skillful man with a tea towel inflicting many an injury on the unsuspecting leader. A black belt in cooking, one chop and you're dead.

  • Tony Dunne has been through thick and thin with the Unit and has the best collection of knives to make ham salad roles on a Regional Shield ever, albeit with no ham (thanks Jake !)
  • Crossed the Boyne due to improved standards in Scouting, Jennifer Campbell came in to tour St. Olivers Unit and hasn't left since. Obviously recognises class! Also, Unit Secretary.
  • Don't let the Pringle Man moustache fool anybody, Kieran Buckley is no Sour onion. He is another Leader who came back from the wilderness and now can't seem to get away again.
  • Another Cub Leader is Colin Marley who is also a trusted mountain leader, but can't climb more than 200 metres due to a recurring ear problem. Considering an army deafness claim as a result of restrictions in sport he loves. (Swimming in the Olympics is out also).
  • Chris Reilly is still trying to fill his fathers shows in the tea towel stakes, but too young to comment on.
Beaver Leaders
 
  • Marie Taaffe has been everybody's Leader at some stage and has been a Beaver Leader since Adam was a boy. She has worked tirelessly to mould their minds, then the Scout Leaders wreck them again!!!!
  • Marice Conaghy wears blue shoes, what more can we say !
  • Joanne Taaffe is Marie's daughter and has a good pedigree in the Groupt, her grandfather being part of the original Scout Troop in 1935.
  • Beaver Head Honcho, Jane Coyle is surprisingly calm and tolerant. Took a sabbatical for a few years, but was lured back due to the joys of running a Section. (Who's she kiddin!!)
  • Meanwhile, Deirdre Duggan is completely new to Scouting, Currently in her second year and is having a ball, "everybody is so nice", , ha, we'll see how long that lasts........! The same applies for Sandra Matthews.
  • Richard Maher joined the Beavers on a school tour and hasn't left yet. But I am told he is appreciated.!
  • Starting second year in Beavers, Anne Leonard was originally a Cub Leader many
    moons ago..... joined Scouting again after trying to convince her hubby Ken to give it up, they spend more time together since she joined.
Leaders receiving first aid certificates
 
Venture Leaders
  • Like the rest of his family, Brendan King was always in high demand on camp. They had the ability to peel a 10kg bag of spuds in under two minutes.
 
Group Leaders Team
 
  • John (Jake) Reid is our Group Leader and continually espouses the awe that was Jamborora! For those under the age of 50 it was an annual camp over 600 years ago. Although for all the other Leaders, we feel like we were there!!! A few times over!
  • Patrick Hanratty is Jake's assistant and former Regional Commissioner. He came back from the wilderness a few years ago after being a Scout Leader when they wore short trousers. The Leaders first experience was when this veteran wanted us to take part in the Leinster TCP??
  • From Tyrone, our Group Chaplain is Fr. Patrick Rushe . Although sometime he wishes he was on the Star Ship Enterprise, Paddy is down to Earth and is a good friend of the Groupw.
  • Declan Reilly is a former Group Leader and Scout Leader and currently Unit Trainer. Known best for his battle cry "Hey allelay, a niky diky umba"!! Need we say anymore!"
  • Our Chairperson is Shay Dunne Shay, an is an active member in the ladies sponsored Mini Marathon - has been chairperson since Baden Powell appointed him.
  • Our Treasurer Feargal Reilly is a true scrooge - it's impossible to get any money out of him - unless he's included on the McDonalds list. Always willing to carry his fair share of gear on the Mountain Expeditions, usually the meths bottle.
 
     
Jake Reid
Fergal Reilly
Ken Leonard
 
Declan Reilly
 
Paddy Roe (RIP) - An Appreciation
  When Paddy Roe was asked to join the Parents Council of St. Oliver's Scout Unit in 1966 he could not have foreseen the tremendous contribution that he would make to the organisation in the coming years.
With the introduction of the new constitution in 1969 and the subsequent re-structuring of the organisation Paddy was appointed Treasurer of the Unit Council.
Paddy was dedicated to the Scouts, and he immersed himself in looking after it's well-being and in particular it's finances. It is true to say that if it wasn't for the diligent way in which he looked after the finances the Unit would not be in the good situation it is to-day. Through his enthusiasm and careful attention on all matters of finance the unit purchased excellent camping equipment and has a fine hall in which to hold their activities, leaving the Leaders free to concentrate on the scouting activities.
Paddy's sterling work was also recognised by Headquarters when he was awarded the National Silver Meritorious Award for services to the organisation. However his proudest was when the Chief Scout Peter Dixon honoured Paddy's tremendous work for Scouting by bestowing on him Scouting's highest award, the "Order of the Silver Wolfound".
In presenting the award, the Chief Scout said that in all his travels it would be difficult for him to recall anybody who has given so much so generously and un-selfishly to Scouting. "Paddy", said the Chief Scout, "has given exceptional service, above and beyond the call of duty. He is an example of what we mean by extraordinary service from a person who was not a scout himself and yet devoted nearly forty years to assisting in providing good Souting for the boys of Drogheda".
Mayor Sean Collins, who made a special point of attending the ceremony, recalled his own days in the Scouts and in particular the Pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1968 with Paddy, "Nobody deserves this honour more than Paddy", he said.
 		 
 
 
Paddy receives the Order of the Silver Wolfhound from the Chief Scout Peter Dixon.
 
 
Paddy receives the Civic Award from the Mayor of Drogheda. Also, pictured are his late wife Sheila and Ken Leonard and Declan Reilly.