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Scout Dens through the years.
For 30 years the old Catholic Action Hall (now Brenrick Villas) in Fair Street was home to the Drogheda Boy Scouts. The first meetings took place in what was then St. Brigids School and is at present the St. John of God Day Care Centre on the north side of Magdalene Street (beside Magdalene Tower) and the first investiture took place in the Presentation Drill Hall in Duke Street. Eventually the Troop moved to the Catholic Action Hall (better know at the time as the old Technical Schools) and here they stayed for 30 years between 1935 and 1965 with only one Troop, the 3rd Louth.

The Chief Scout J.D. Hally and the late Bishop James Lennon perform the opening of the new Scout Hall in April 1979

In the early 60's though, when the first Cub Pack was formed, the hall was not large enough to cater for this new section. As a result the meetings were held in the Sisters of Charity Convent in Fair Street.

So, it was the end of an era in 1965 when the Unit moved to the newly constructed Parochial Centre in Peter Street. This new den was very lavish and bright compared to the quaint charm of the Catholic Action Hall. However, storage space for tents and other camping equipment was not easily available in the Centre and sometimes the den was used by other organisations. Because of these disadvantages the Committee began looking for an alternative meeting hall. Thanks to the generosity of the Parish of St. Peters (which is the sponsoring authority of the Unit) the problem was solved when 5 garages at the back of the Parochial Centre were given to the Scouts. Some minor reconstruction work was necessary, and when finished in 1968, the Unit had the exclusive use of the hall and it could rightly be called the Scout Den.

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Scout Leader Paul and Senior Patrol Leaders Warren and Pat inspect progress on the new Scout Centre. Above "The Finished Building"

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In 1978 it was decided to extend the Den because by this time the Unit consisted of additional Scout Troops, Cub Packs and a Venture Scout Group. The proposed extension would triple the floor area of the main hall and also provide an office, Venturers and Leaders rooms, toilets and increase the space for the stores. The cost of the extension was €18,000 and immediately the Finance Committee set about organising fund raising events. The official opening was on Sunday 29th April 1979 by the then Chief Scout J.D. Hally,

Site of the first Scout Hall in Fair Street, Drogheda.

In 2003 we hope we have made the final move in our long history. With the demolition of the Parochial Centre, the Scout Hall and other buildings to make way for a new shopping complex St. Oliver's Unit was on the move again. With the help of the Parish and the Development Company Parolen Limited and the work of our members we acquired a site and began construction of a purpose built hall of over 300 square metres. The location is in Crushrod Lane, off the Termonfeckin Road. Incidentally, this got it's name from the beatings condemned criminals received on their way up the lane to the gallows on the Ballymakenny Road. The official opening took place in 2004.