Sixty wonderful years for Downpatrick Scouts Group

Sixty wonderful years for Downpatrick Scouts Group

27 September 2023

A LOCAL Scouts group is getting ready to celebrate a special landmark.

Downpatrick Scouts will celebrate their 60th anniversary at a dinner in Murphy’s Bar & Restaurant on Saturday, October 7.

A display of memorabilia charting those 60 years will be on show in the Scout Hall in Thomas Russell Park on the same day from 10am to 6pm.

Liam Byrne, who been involved with the Scouts for 50 years, says Scouting has much to offer young people.

“Downpatrick Scouts is very successful in providing young people with opportunities to serve the community and take on more responsibility.” 

“The trips and expeditions we go on are things everyone look forward to.”

Founded initially as the Downpatrick Unit, Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland, the first Downpatrick Troop Charter was issued on June 14, 1963 to the founder, the Rev Joseph Magee. 

For the first couple of years, the unit used a local school hall before a scout hall was built in Thomas Russell Park in 1965 under the guidance of Fr Magee.

Two Scout troops had to be formed, such was the popularity of Scouting. The first Downpatrick troop wore a red and white neckerchief, and the second troop wore a green and white neckerchief. 

A Cub Scout section was introduced in the late Sixties and two packs were formed. A Venturer scout section had emerged in the early seventies, but a formal group was started in 1980. 

Soon afterwards the Beaver Scout section was started giving young people the opportunity to progress through Scouting from age of six through to 18.

The group now wear a green scarf with red and white border and are part of the Down and Connor Scout County within the Northern Province.

The original Scout hall was used until 1989 when poor ground conditions caused subsidence and the building could no longer be used for weekly meetings. 

Eventually, in 1996, the building could not be used even for the storage of our camping equipment and it was demolished. 

The group continued to maintain their numbers, despite not having their own hall. In spring 1999 work began on a new purpose-built hall, which was completed in March 2000 at a cost of £425,000. 

Funding was provided by the Department of Education, National Lottery Charities Board, St. Patrick’s Parish Downpatrick, local businesses, personal donations and a specially set-up fundraising committee.

Members take part in a wide range of activities at weekly meetings and on weekend trips and camps.  

The scouts host a variety of seasonal activities, such as an investiture service, Halloween party, Christmas party and presentation night, which are well attended by parents and friends. They also attend the annual Mass in Irish in St Patrick’s Church on St Patrick’s Day. 

There are 15 leaders who give their time in a voluntary capacity, running programmes and attending training or representing Downpatrick at other events. 

“Without this voluntary input of leaders and committee there would be no Scouting Group,” said Liam. “However, we do need more adults to volunteer as leaders as we have a waiting list of children wishing to join. Leader training is provided.”

The group have held an annual scout summer camp each year from 1964. 

“This is a great opportunity for its time and many memories are recounted,” Liam continued.

“Most camps have been in the South of Ireland, although we have travelled to Wales in 1979 and Tawd Vale Liverpool in 2004.” 

The annual camp in 2007 was held in Walesby Forest, Nottingham, and included a day spent at the World Jamboree in Kent. The 2016 camp was held in Bournemouth and included a trip to Brownsea Island, home of the first Scout Camp. 

Their first Venture Scout summer expedition outside of Ireland was in 1982. Since then they have travelled throughout Europe. 

In July 1999, Downpatrick Scouts joined with Saintfield Girls’ and Boys’ Brigades to host a group from Ohio on their visit to Ireland. This group then welcomed a party of 15 Scouts and 10 Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade members to Ohio. The two-week trip also included five nights in New York. 

Downpatrick Scouts have been well represented at many regional, national, and international Scout events and have taken part in the National Gang Show and jamborees at Portuma, Jamborora and Punchestown. 

They have hosted Scouts from Japan, Italy, Australia and had exchange visits in Holland and the United States.

Over the years leaders have represented the Group at Down and Connor Scout County executive meetings. Liam is the current county treasurer and Cecelia Taggart is the county trainer.

The Education Authority Youth Service sponsors the Group for Scout nights only and despite the Group actively seeking other finance there are 

few other funding bodies that provide money for Scout activities. 

Parents pay a membership fee for their children and the Group committee assist with fundraising.

The Group has two min-buses, which were used during the Covid lockdown to deliver the food parcels to homes around the district. 

“The Downpatrick Group has been very active in promoting Scouting for 60 years,” Liam said. “The Group had another successful year, with our Scouting activities, community involvement and the use of our premises.

“We have to thank everyone who has supported us over the years from the original parish committee under the leadership of Fr Magee through all the voluntary leaders, trustees, fundraising committees, businesses, parents and children.”

He added: “Everyone is welcome to come to Thomas Russell Park on October 7 and look at the display of our photos and memorabilia from previous years.”

Tickets for the anniversary dinner cost £22.50 each or £200 for a table of ten. To book a ticket contact Liam on 07703 463598, email byrne420@btinternet.com; or telephone 028 4483 9841, email csidownpatrick@btopenworld.com.