31st Dublin Rathfarnham Scout Group

31st Dublin (Rathfarnham) Scout Group is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement through its membership of Scouting Ireland. It was formed in 1917 and has an illustrious history in its ninety years of existence. It is an open sponsored group under the patronage of Rathfarnham Parish Church which is a member of the Anglican group of churches. Its sections meet regularly in the War Memorial Hall, Terenure, Dublin. It has sections for Beavers (6-8 years), Cubs (8-11 years) and Scouts (11-16 years). All members of the troop wear a sky Blue and Black kneckerchief, the scout section securing theirs with a "Square Knot".

Current Leader team
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Troop Leaders

The following is a list of those who have held the post of Scout Leader (SL) or formerly Scout Master (SM):
*Daniel O'Byrne
*Justin McCormack
*Robert Hilliard
*Ronan Maher
*David Long
*Robert Jones
*Cederic Heather
*Conor O'Brien
*Stephen Bailey (1987-?)
*Andrew Campbell (1984-1987)
*Richard Doherty (1982-1984)
*Charles W E Richards (19??-1982)
*Keith Trower
*Alan G Graham
*Desmond R Johnson
*Pat Ewen
*Brian Cooper
*Ronnie Pope
*Charlie Bowen

Summer Camps

The group have a great tradition of international travel for annual Summer Camps:
Fuller details are available from the following website
*2000 Rathbergavic (final city: Prague)
*1999 Bielin
*1998 Argie Bargie
*1997 Gallozill
*1996 Rennestrix
*1995 Inverscotia
*1994 Bargives
*1993 Wundercampf
*1991 Rydale
*1992 Camp 75
*1990 Redon, France (Redown)
*1989 Kincraig, Scotland (Coil Albain) (final city: Edinburgh)
*1988 Guernsey (Guernellium)
*1987 Munich (Camp Artek Crimea, USSR)
*1986 North Wales and Barges
*1985 Broadstone Warren, (final city: London)
*1984 Innsbruck in Austria, Czechoslovakia
*1983 Glen Nevis (final city: Edinburgh)
*1982 Oxford
*1981 Italy
*1980 Cricieth, North Wales and Barges (Rugby; Leamington Spa, Warwick, all in Warwickshire)
*1979 Appletrewick, North Yorkshire
*1978 Woodstock Jamboree Kilkenny Ireland
*1977 Saint Malo, Brittany, France (final city: London)
*1976 Derbyshire (final city: Chester)
*1975 Guernsey

===Rathdown & Whitechurch===

In September 1974 the scout troop had 58 members which was too large a group for the Memorial Hall. A decision was taken to split the Rathfarnham Scout troop in two. The members and Leaders were divided geographically into Rathdown which continued to meet in the Memorial Hall and Whitechurch which met initially in the old school hall in Whitechurch. In the early 80's Whitechurch accepted female members on an experimental basis with the blessing of the Scout Association. In the late 80's Whitechurch closed due to a leader shortage with its troop gear being passed on to 68th Whitechurch.

Duff House

Duff House was a house adjacent to Lough Dan in the Wicklow Mountains which was made available to the Troop in the 70's. It was an ideal location for weekend Patrol camps. The snooker table in the sitting room provided entertainment late into the night. The Lough although reportedly 600ft deep in spots was also used for swimming and canoeing. In 1974 three weeks before his death Erskine Childers, the then President of Ireland visited the group at Duff House. The Cub packs formed a guard of honour from the gate to the front door as his Black Mercedes drove up the drive. He was taken across the Lough by Boat in some bitterly cold weather to a beach on the north side of the Lough where he observed a canoeing activity by the troop. An urban myth that his subsequent death at a function in the Royal College of Surgeons from a coughing fit following the chill he contracted on the lake is totally untrue. During the recent release of government files under the 25 year rule a letter from Alan Graham on behalf of the Scout Association offering the troop to provide a Guard of Honour for the funeral was declined by the Department Secretary.

U2 pull out of Troop Dance

In the Late 70's the troop regularly held dances in the Memorial Hall as a service to the community and a fund raiser. It was attended by the friends and class mates of the PL's and APL's of the troop. Although Discos were becoming very popular at that time The scouts often arranged concerts of live popular music. One of the ASL's Glen O'Brien was friendly with some of the members of an up and coming Band called U2 and they had secretly agreed to play one Friday night at such an event. However on the Thursday night they pulled out at the request of their Manager Paul McGuinness who was concerned that this would be a step down now that they were playing slightly larger venues. They kindly arranged for the Virgin Prunes to replace them and the night was a great success nonetheless.

An Cumman Cultortha

In 1979 a musical group was set up in the troop. Under the guidance of David Meredith (father of current ASL Tom) and Trevor Sargent (now the Minister for Food in the Irish Government)They played numerous popular songs including many Beatles hits. The instruments were mainly Guitars and tin whistles, Peter Sainsbury also played the piano during rehersals in the Oak room in the memorial hall on sunday afternoons.
The group performed at parents night, on trains and buses whilst on our way everywhere and at Numerous campfires also. However two public performances were of note(no pun intended).
Firstly on the train in Dublin zoo at the opening of the beaver enclosure. We did numerous laps of the zoo and entertained the many Beaver scouts who attended the event. When we eventually got off the train the driver charged us full price!!!!
Secondly having succeeded at audition we were selected to perorm on National television. An irish Language programme "Trom agus Eatrom" hosted by Liam O'Muirchu was focusing on scouts. At the very start of the programme we played "Tuair dom do Liamh" as an accompanyment to a short video about a recent Jamboree followed by "The Rocky Road to Dublin" campfire version!!!

Christmas trees

In the late 80's unemployment and economic emigration was a reality facing most young school leavers. In an attempt to provide the scouts with some "Vocational Training" numerous work experience projects were undertaken by the Troop. In the Autumn of 1986 a mini company was set up and run by the patrol leaders to sell christmas trees in the run up to christmas. We were fortunate to be given permission by the Parish to use the grounds of the Memorial Hall in Terenure as a sales pitch. Each PL had responsibility for different areas of the business and all the scouts were trained in the art of salesmanship. Patrols also took it in shifts to man the premesis. It was an ideal project for a workforce who would use their axemanship to fit the tree into your stand , carry the tree to your car and use their knotting skills to tie your boot lid down. In the first year the project was a financial success. To this date each Christmas the project continues and the concept of Christmas trees by scouts is now a household phrase in south Dublin.

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