Lough Tay to Djouce, War Hill & the Coffin Stone

Ice Skating

Thanks to Paul Collins who arranged a massive ice skating event for the entire Group on Monday last.  In all, some 120 Cubs, Scouts, Ventures and sundry others took to the ice at the new rink in the Charlestown shopping centre.  Suffice it to say that some excelled and some didn't but all had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.  Photos are available on the Monday Pack's blog which can be accessed from the link displayed on this page.

New Watches

We have created two new Watches in the Troop and this has meant appointing new Watch Leaders and Assistants.  Congratulations to Sarah Fagan and Gwen Connolly on their appointment as Watch Leaders.  Congratulations also to Niamh Egan, Claire Sinnott, Blaithin Sheil and Laura Whelan on their appointments as Assistant Watch Leaders.  The new watches have been tentatively named as Red Watch and Black Watch until more permanent names are decided.

Being shy and retiring types, we have been unable to post any photos of the new Watches but we hope to rectify that shortly!

Chief Scout's Award Expedition

Long Distance Skiff Race

 With so many girls rowing this summer and competing for places in crews, we thought it would be a good idea, without really thinking about it, to enter 2 teams - 24 girls - in the Long Distance Skiff race from Dun Laoghaire to the Sean O'Casey Bridge in Dublin. Then when we did think about it, we realised we would need more boats, more crewsavers, more oars, more rescue boats, more cox'ns...more everything!

Both teams did extremely well in tricky breezy conditions. Our teams were the 1st and 2nd female crews to finish and were placed 2nd and 4th overall. All in all, a satisfying end to this year's rowing season.

Our sincere thanks to Eoin Peacock and Steve Singleton of Omega Sub Aqua Club, John Allen of 4th Port (Dodder), Mick Curry of Stella Maris Rowing Club, Brian Leonard, Evelyn Ball and Sean O Seaghdha for their help. Without them, we wouldn't have made it to the starting line.

Sea Scout Regatta

 The Sea Scout Regatta dates back to 1914 when the Wood-Latimer trophy was presented for the first time. While the trophy itself has suffered the ravages of time, the race itself has been run every year without interruption for the past 95 years. The race, for skiff crews under 17, is still known as 'the Wood-Latimer' and is regarded as the premier rowing event for Sea Scout crews.

 Yesterday, the Valkyries' U17 crew added another little bit of history to this prestigious event by becoming the first female crew ever to win the Wood-Latimer.

Congratulations to Emma, Niamh, Gwen and Sarah who rowed a flawless race.  Congratulations also to our U13 crew who won emphatically in difficult weather conditions.  Commiserations to our U14 and U15 crews who due to bad luck - a problem with the turning marks in the case of the U14s and a broken oar in the case of the U15s - were deprived of the opportunity to show what good crews they really are.

Annual Camp 2009

 This was our largest Annual Camp yet - 55 scouts, venture scouts and leaders. Originally, we had planned a moving camp on the River Boyne but when it became clear that there would be large numbers attending, the venue was changed to the Scout Centre in Portlick on the shores of Lough Ree, Co Westmeath.

Apart from a few showers over the week, the weather was great and everybody enjoyed the camp. As you would expect, a lot of boating took place over the week, but the site also provided diversion in the form of a zip-wire, crate stacking and a climbing wall. Given the large number of scouts on the camp, it was not surprising that we had an equally large turnout of parents for our now traditional barbecue which was hugely successful and a wonderful way to spend a balmy Saturday evening.

Congratulations to Port Watch who won the overall Annual Camp Trophy in what was a very tightly contested competition.