Members of the first 13th Kildare Scout Troop

History of the 13th Kildare Scouts Clane

In October 1978 father Robert J. Thompson, SJ Clongowes Wood College, our first Chaplin and who had spent many years Scouting in Central Africa (Northern Rhodesia in his day) Deasy Mullins, Clane, ex Scout Leader of the 12th Cork, St Patrick’s and founder

They then approached Father Willie Hughes, the then pp of Clane, who gave them every assistance, the use of Parish Property and £100.00 to get them started. Meetings took place at the back of the Parish House.

In 1979 the Scouts moved into a derelict cowshed in the yard of the Parochial House. Great work was done by Johnny Connolly, Andy Fitzgerald and a multitude of Parents and friends to renovate the place and finally the first Official Function took place on the 25th Nov., when Clane Unit had the honour of hosting the AGM of the Diocesan Council.

The Official Opening, Blessing of the Den and Investiture Award Ceremony was held on the 16th of December 1979, 12 Boys were invested on the night. Matthew Behan came on board as Scout Leader in 1980. Tony Coffey then became Leader of the Venture Scouts. Marcus Jocher has the proud honour of being the first Scout to achieve the Chief Scouts Award.

Late Oct., the Cub Scouts were formed under the leadership of Louis Cassidy Nick Smith and Paul O’Riordan. Meetings were then held after 10.30 Mass on Sunday Morning. Noel Corrigan and Paul Hopkins came later. During the following years the Scouts had many achievements. The first being the Melvin Competition after which Charlie O’Neill of Abbeylands held a Civic Reception at his home in their honour. The Diocesan Shield, McAleer Soap Derby, Ted Coonan Perpetual Cup, Dermot Murphy Memorial Shield, Feile Na NGasog, Jamboree on Air when they made contact with the US, Australia, England and Germany, made possible by Andy Davern and many more.

They visited many places, Canada, America, a European Tour, England, Wales, France and all over Ireland. They have 4 Chief Scouts, 5 National Scouts and 2 Explorer Belts.

When Deasy resigned as Unit Leader, Andy Fitzgerald took over and Derek Kinch. Due to the untimely death of Andy in 1991, Bernadette Plunkett stepped in and we went co-ed. Georgina Rooney and Niamh O’Leary came in as Scout Leaders. A Memorial Shield in memory of Andy was then sponsored by the Scouts and is awarded each year to a Scout who has achieved the most.

Due to demand a second Cub Pack was armed under the Leadership of Margaret Farrelly, Ger Daniels and Mary Connolly in 1993. The Cub Scouts took part in the Special Olympics, raised 140 euro and sponsored a child in 2003, Also won lst place in the Christmas Card Picture Competition 2002 and lst and 2nd place in the Christmas Card Verse Competition 2003.

In December 1991 underneath the Leadership of Anne Byrne, Paul Kirwan, Michael Boland and Youth Leader Caroline Culhane the Beaver Scouts were formed. Meeting are held on a Thursday nights, with an outing every month. The Investiture Ceremony is held in November. Parent’s Night/Beaver Concert is held in May/June. Beaver of the year is announced and various awards are presented.

A Memorial Shield for Beaver Mikey Herbert, sponsored by Ian Byrne ex-Scout is awarded to the winner of a Nature Project in which each Beaver takes part.

The second Beaver Colony began in 1996 due to the demand.

We Vacated our Scout Den in 2002 as the Parish Property was sold and obtained temporary accommodation from Fr. Denis Harrington PP. for which we thank him. We will have a new Scout Den by the end of the year. Since the Unit was formed we have been blessed with support of Parents and friends of Scouting in Clane. All these people are very important to our continued success.

Written and Compiled By Anne Byrne