There is also extensive coverage of the numerous hikes, fishing trips in Scotsman’s Bay and Dalkey Sound; and visits of dignitaries like John de Courcy Ireland who spoke to the troop on Maritime issues. It’s all in there! For those with happy memories of times in Dalkey Sea Scouts it’s an opportunity to refresh them, and remember those with whom they are shared.
The early pioneering spirit rubbed off on many who were involved as Leaders and Scouts, but a few individuals made major contributions to the wider world of scouting. Brian Meyer and Mike McKillen both went on to hold the Chair of the Federation of Irish Scout Associations (FISA) that coordinated the international activities of the three Scout associations (SAI, CBSI & SANI) on the island, and paved the way for a single scout association, Scouting Ireland, although it had to await the 21st Century for its formation.
Ian Travers revolutionised the approach to outdoor adventure and mountain activities in the Scout Association of Ireland (SAI). He was posthumously awarded the highest scouting honour, the Silver Elk in 1991, to mark his work with the Sionnach and Peak adventures, which are still running to this day – a fitting tribute to Ian’s pioneering innovations. This is a rare award, but Dalkey has the honour of Brian Meyer also being a recipient of the Silver Elk for a long list of scouting achievements. Peter Kerruish is another giant of the troop and the national association with many contributions, including work on the establishment of the Lightship Albatross as a training centre for SAI, and a major organisational role in Woodstock ’78 – an International Jamboree which put Irish Scouting firmly on the international stage and inspired many scouts to participate as leaders in the following decades.
The other big names I would include are David Sarratt, Terence McKillen and Lorcan Nolan who built and sustained a Troop that usually had events 4 – 5 days a week every summer and 2 – 3 days a week for the rest of the year, as well as all the camps and the wider association activity! I myself was part of all that and the current Leaders may look back at what Owen, Fionnbarr, Thomas, Stuart and I did to carry the torch! Being an SSL in Dalkey Sea Scouts is a challenging and rewarding experience that brings you into contact with a lot of great people – all the SSLs made their mark on generations of scouts, and the tradition has been carried forward in the recent decade with Alexis, Simon, William, Stephen (Flood) and James.
We all look back with fond memories on our times as Scouts and Leaders as you will too – is it really 50 Years? Those guys Brian and Patrick – they don’t look that old – do they!
Stephen Rea