Malachy Delahunt spoke with nostalgia about the homespun entertainment during evenings in the Scout Hall or `Den` at Home Avenue. There would be sing-songs and `little playlets` featuring Pa Hollywood, Paddy Traynor, John Taggart, Martin Burns, Harry Gallagher, Jim Treanor, Pat and Michael O�Keefe.

However, his mother�s death brought an end to his scouting, as he �hadn�t the heart to carry on.� His sister, Kathleen, married Garda Inspector Harrington, an uncle of golfing ace, Padraig Harrington.

Terry Duffy, later a compositor with the `Newry Reporter�, is a native of Daisyhill Gardens, whose family have long operated a shoe-repair business in Monaghan Street. He recalled competitions at Dromantine between the four Newry troops in aspects of camping, including cooking. Annual camps were held at Castleblayney and Clougherhead, etc.

However, having started work as a trainee compositor in 1962, Terry had to abandon his scouting interest. And it was almost 20 years later, when three sons had joined the St Colman�s Unit of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland, that he decided to renew his interest, becoming a Unit Leader. Other prominent roles were played by Sean Kenny, John McDonald, David McCourt, Luke Quinn, Sean Berrill, Patsy White, Bertie Flynn and John McCourt.

�The cheapest and best form of baby-sitting�, was how Terry Duffy described the scout movement. �Parents could drop off their sons at the Scout Hall on Friday nights, and call back again on Sunday evenings, after week-end `sleep-ins� during the winter. Then there were two or three week-end camps at Dromantine, as well as hikes in the Mournes; annual camps or Jamborees.�

The youngest scouts joined the Beavers, while the most senior (16 to 18) were known as the Ventures, being more adventurous. Their investiture took place at Ballyholland Mass-rock. A monthly newspaper, known as `News at Den`, was produced by Terry Duffy. When he joined the unit, the membership was 50, and on leaving in 1991, it had arisen to 98.

Among the members were Sean Berrill, Dennis McGrath, Aidan Falloon, Liam Quinn, Sean Hughes, Jarlath Gray, Noel Carr, Mark Doran, Paul Murphy, Aidan McGrath, John McKnight, Turlough Hollywood, Tom Gorman, Gareth McLaughlin, Conrad Heaney, Eamonn Quinn, Declan Flynn, Michael Bennett, Pat McKay, the McGuigan brothers, Mark Fegan, Paul and Nicholas Murphy.

First annual camp in which Terry Duffy was involved took place at Virginia, Co Cavan in 1984, followed by a continental bus tour in 1985; camping at Kingscourt the following year; and then Co Donegal. An All-Ireland Jamboree was held at Gosford Forest Park near Markethill in 1989. Diocesan competitions took place, involving units from Newry, Warrenpoint, Banbridge and Ballynahinch.

A special feature of the St Colman�s Unit was the `Air Corps` section, in which those scouts interested in aeroplanes would attend Air Shows at Dublin and Shannon airports, under the supervision of Leader John McCourt. They were allowed by the crew of a U.S. Galaxy plane to go on the flight deck.

Back in 1927, the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland was founded by Fr Tom Farrell, a curate at the Pro-cathedral in Dublin. The movement mushroomed throughout the country so that, by 1967, about 5,000 had enrolled. Life for a young boy had been dull, whether in Newry or Dublin, the only activity being street game. So Fr Farrell felt there should be something more for the youth of Ireland.

Eventually he became interested in the scout movement, and with the held of his brother and fellow-priest, Fr Ernest, he launched the project. The first Catholic Scout Troop was established at Greystones, Co Wicklow and became a success, with volunteers coming forward to help the new organisation. Eventually, the Irish Hierarchy gave their approval.

Spreading quickly, the new youth movement was able to provide stewards for the centenary celebrations of Catholic Emancipation. And they played a major role at the Eucharistic Congress in 1932. Over a million people had assembled for Masses at Phoenix Park and O�Connell Street, with the Boy Scouts also providing First Aid, since the Irish Red Cross had not been formed. The first National Congress attracted over 1,400 scouts.

Pilgrimages to Knock, the Drogheda shrine of Blessed Oliver Plunkett, Lourdes and Rome were escorted by the scouts, whose first senior section was formed in 1949. This was five years after the first Newry Troop was founded, after contacting Mr S Higgins of HQ in Dublin First meeting was held at a Grand Central Hotel, later the Boulevard Hotel.

However, the late 90�s saw that fine and worthy organisation fade away in controversial circumstances. Whether the Boy Scouts Hall or `Den` at Home Avenue, off Chapel Street, will ever again witness young people engaged in such healthy and worthwhile activities again, who can predict!

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