Competition Badges

Over the years all the Irish Scout associations held various types of competitions and challenges.

Melvin Cup

The Melvin Trophy was presented to the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland by Sir Martin Melvin proprietor of “The Universe” the Trophy was designed by Liam S. Gogan a noted Gaelic scholar and made by noted Irish silversmith Mia Carnwill. The enamelled panels depict images of Irelands past present and future. A Lepel badge belonging to the founder of the C.B.S.I. Father Tom Farrell is incorporated into the lid of the Trophy. The first Melvin Trophy took place at Larch Hill in August 1949. In order to take part in the Melvin competition a Patrol had to qualify. Each Diocese had an annual Diocesan Shield competition and the winning Troop of the Diocesan Shield would send a team to the Melvin Trophy. All Troops in the Diocese would contribute to the expenses of the team representing their Diocese. The Diocesan Shield competition included how a Troop was run. Below are the points awarded for a Diocesan Shield held in the 1950s.

Camping 300

Site Layout 50

Latrine 50

Kitchen 60

Gadgets 50

Condition of site after camp 100

Pioneering 200

Patrol dining table 150

Knots and lashing used on site 50

Cooking 200 - Tea 20, lunch 50, breakfast 40, tea 20, copy of menus and costing to be handed to DC on site 20, fire lighting 50.

Mapping and Compass total 200, use of map and compass 50, journey 150.

Discipline 200

Each Patrol will be self-sufficient as regards transport, adequate equipment for carrying out above programme.

Each Patrol will have prepared two camp-fire items (Song, Skit, ect.)

Each patrol will have prepared one outdoor Scout game.

Each Patrol will supply complete week-end menu and costings to dc on site.

Inspection of uniform 100

Troop Programme 100

Troop Records 100

Condition of hall 50

Patrol corners 50

1949

The final stages of the competition were held at Larch Hill on the 20^th and 21^st of August and won by the 26th Dublin (Iona Road). The presentation of the Trophy was made in the grounds of the Central Model Schools Marlboro Street Dublin.

1950

In August 1950 the Melvin Cup was held in the grounds of Wilton College Cork. The competition was won by the 26^th Dublin (Iona Road) retaining the Cup having won it in 1949. Second was the 21^st Cork (St. Joseph’s, Mayfield) and third place was taken by the 4^th Waterford (Abbeyside).

1951

The competition was held at Larch Hill and was won by 21^st Cork St. Joseph’s (Mayfield) Troop. The members of the winning Cork Patrol were Patrol Leader Derry O’Sullivan, A.P.L. Michael O’Callaghan, Frank Fitzgerald, Sean Kelly, Patrick Goggin, Patrick Finn, Denis Mullins and Thomas Clancy. Four dioceses qualified to take part, Dublin, Cork, Down and Connor (Belfast) and Waterford. Cork won with 83 per cent, Dublin was second with 81 per cent and Waterford were third.

1952

The competition was held at Larch Hill. Three Troops representing Dublin, Belfast and Cork qualified. The competition was held over the weekend of the 29^th, 30^th and 31sy of August. No results published.

1953

The competition was held at Larch Hill over the weekend of the 18^th to the 30^th of August. Troops from Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Cashel dioceses took part. The competition was won by the 4^th Waterford (Abbeyside) Troop Scoutmaster Mr. L. F. Lanigan. The Chief Scout J. Whelehan presented the trophy to Patrol Leader Larry Fraher.

1954

No Results

1955

The competition was held at Larch Hill over the weekend of the 26^th to the 28^th of July. The winners were the 4^th Waterford (Abbeyside) Troop Scoutmaster Liam F Lanigan, solicitor. Very Rev. D. P. Gallagher National Scout Chaplain presented the Trophy to Patrol Leader Cyril O’Farrell, other members of the winning Patrol were P. Burke, N. Shanahan, F. Straine, M. Phelan, P. Duggan, O. Clancy and J. Cullinan. The winning Troop received a rousing reception on their return to Abbeyside with dance at the Old Pond and several bonfires blazed. 1955 was the 25^th anniversary of the 4^th Waterford (Abbeyside) Troop.

1956

No Results

1957

The competition was held at Larch Hill over the weekend of the 23^th to the 25^th of August. The winners were the 4^th Waterford (Abbeyside) Troop Scoutmaster Liam F Lanigan, solicitor. This was their third win in the past five years. Very Rev. D. P. Gallagher National Scout Chaplain presented the Trophy to Patrol Leader O. Clancy, other members of the winning Patrol were J. Browne, J Cullinan, J. O’Dea, J. Duggan, R O’Regan, G. Kyne and K. O’Mahoney.

1958

The competition was held at Larch Hill over the weekend of the 29^th to the 31^th of August. The winners were the 4^th Waterford (Abbeyside) Troop Scoutmaster Liam F Lanigan, solicitor. Chief Scout J. B. Whelehan M.A. presented the Trophy. Members of the winning Patrol were S. Browne, S Duggan, J. O’Dea, M. Regan, B. Morrissey, G. Kyne, P. Langan and K. Mahony. The Waterford Troop scored 814 with the 21^st Cork (Mayfield) a close second with 811 points and Dublin taking third place.

1959
No Results

1960

The competition was held at Larch Hill from the 26^th to the 28^th of August. Limerick Diocese was represented by a Patrol from St. Patrick’s Troop who had won the Diocesan Shield. Troops from all over Limerick took part in the Diocesan Shield the winners representing Limerick in the Melvin Cup. All Troops from around Limerick contributed to the costs of the winning Patrol taking part in the Melvin Cup. (no results).

1961

Held at Larch Hill from 25^th to the 27^th of August. Won by the 4^th Cork Troop. Patrol Leader Morris Laythorne, Denis Kidney, Kevin Kidney, Aidan Hayes, Gerard Hayes, Florence Neffe, Andrew Murphy, Ormond Cowman. The Scoutmaster was J. K. Hurley.

1962

Winners of the Melvin Cup in 1962 were the 12^th Cork. A victory dinner was held in the Cork Metropole Hotel. The photo shows Scoutmaster Finbarr Keenan with the Chief Scout and National Commissioner showing the trophy to Father Thomas Riordan chaplain to the 12^th Cork Troop.

The competition was held at Larch Hill from the 24^th to the 26^th of August. 13 Patrols took part in the competition. Second place was taken by the 5^th Limerick (St. Joseph’s) Patrol, third was the 1^st Galway (Galway City) Patrol and fourth went to the 77^th Dublin (Blackrock College) Patrol. The winning team were Thomas Mangan, Sean Coleman, Denis Buckley, Liam Mangan, Dominick Buckley, Tom Ryan, Sean Dunne and Barry McCarthy. The winning Patrol had an average of 14 years old. Thomas Mangan, Sean Coleman and Liam Mangan were members of the winning Patrol in the 1960 Melvin Cup.

1963

Winners of the Melvin Cup in 1963 were the 4^th Cork (St. Peter and St. Paul’s). Pictured are the winning Patrol, Patrol Leader Liam Twomey and Scoutmaster J. K. Hurley admire the trophy surrounded by the winning Troop.

1964

Held at Larch Hill from 27^th to the 30^th of August. The winners were 5^th Limerick (St. Joseph’s) Troop. The Trophy was presented by National Chaplain Very Rev. D. P. Gallagher P.P.to Patrol Leader Michael Madigan, the other members of the winning Patrol were A.P.L. Joseph Kearns and Scouts Michael Finan, Michael Fitzgibbon, David Barry, Joseph O’Rahilly, James Pidgeon and Thomas Shine. Scoutmaster of the Troop Mr. Hugh McGrath and Assistant Scoutmaster Patrick Madigan also attended the competition. Second place was taken by the 10^th Dublin (Aughrim Street), third was the 4^th Waterford (Abbeyside), fourth the 15^th Cork (South parish). Teams from Cobh, Kilrush, Castleblayney, Emyvale, Westland Row and Baldoyle (Dublin) also took part.

1965

Held at Larch Hill from 27^th to the 29^th of August. The winners were 5^th Limerick (St. Joseph’s) Troop who had also won the competition last year. The Trophy was presented by National Chaplain Very Rev. D. P. Gallagher P.P.to Patrol Leader Michael Finan who was also a member of last year’s winning Patrol. The other members of the winning Patrol were Tom Shine, David Barry and Joseph O’ Reilly all members of last year’s winning team and Colum Greaney, David Carey, Christopher Madigan and Frank Fitzgibbon. Second place was taken by the 12^th Cork (St. Patrick’s), third the 10^th Belfast and fourth the 4^th Waterford (Abbeyside). Ten Troops competed in the competition.

1966

Winners of the Melvin Cup in 1966 were the 2^nd Cork (South Parish). The National Chaplin D. P. Gallagher presenting the trophy to Patrol Leader Denis Ahern. 9 Patrols took part in 1966, second was 13^th Dublin (Rathfarnham), third place went to 30^th Dublin (Dominick Street and fourth was the 3^rd Limerick (St. John’s). Both first and second places went to Troops who were taking part in the competition for the first time. The competition was described as the most ‘Scouty’ ever seen in the history of the competition. Also in the photo are National Commissioner Mr. D Coleman, chaplain to the competition Reverend C Ryan and Scoutmaster J. Goulding.

1967
No Results

1968

Held at Larch Hill from 23^th to the 25^th of August. Won by the 17^th Cork (Blackrock) Troop. They won the opportunity to represent Cork at the competition by winning the Cork Diocesan Shield in May. Chief Scout Mr. C. J. Murphy presented the Trophy to Patrol leader Eamonn Cotter, the other members of the winning Patrol were Pat Hourihane, Michael Dorney, John Daly, Michael D. Dorney, Harry Kidney, Frank Brennan and Liam Mulchy. The 13^th Dublin (Rathfarnham) took second place. Scoutmaster of the winning Troop Mr. Tom Dorgan and Scout Leaders Sean Coleman, John Coughlan and Richard Guiton also attended the event.

1969
Winners 30th Dublin (Dominick Street)

1970

Held at Larch Hill from 20^th to the 23^th of August. Won by the 17^th Cork (Blackrock) Troop. Despite very bad weather on the Friday and Saturday the competition continued. The winning Patrol Leader Dan Negle received the Trophy from Chief Scout Lieutenant Colonel P. D. Hogan. The winning Troop were John O’Reilly, Harry Kidney, John MacCurtain, Liam Mulcahy, Jim Kelly, Pat Whelan and Liam Courtney. Scoutmaster Mr. Tom Dorgan also attended.

1971

Held at Larch Hill from 19^th to the 22^nd of August. With a record entry of eighteen Patrols 1971 was the largest Melvin Trophy competition held to date. The competition was won by the 30^th Dublin (Dominick Street) Troop, second were the 17^th Cork (Blackrock) and third were the 18^th Cork (Fermoy). The Trophy was presented by National Commissioner Mr. Stephen Spain to Patrol Leader Fran Dalton, the winning team were Joseph Dalton, Anthony Maguire, Christopher Laffan, Frank Flood, James Quinn, Tony Murphy and Des Deane. Chief Scout Lieut. Col. P. G. Hogan sent a message of congratulations to the winning Patrol, he was away on United Nations duty with the Irish Defence Forces. This year’s competition contained a new country code with the emphasis on conservation.

1972

Held at Larch Hill from 24^th to the 27^th of August. Twenty-one Patrols took part and the winning Patrol were the 18^th Cork (Fermoy) Troop. Second were the 37^th Cork (SS. Peter and Paul) and third were the 11^th Belfast (St. Colmcille’s). Chief Scout Col. P. D. Hogan presented the Trophy to Patrol Leader Michael Dennehy. The other member of the winning Patrol were Niall O Lianthain, Maurice Gibbino, P. J. King, Joe O’Connor, Kevin Dennehy, David O’Keeffe and Bernard Fleming., the Scoutmaster of the winning Patrol was Mr. Pat Bartley.

1973

Held at Larch Hill in August. The Trophy was won by the 8^th Cork (Cathedral) Troop, second was the 17^th Cork (Blackrock) and third was the 37^th Dublin (Templeogue). Twenty five Patrols competed. The Patrol leader of the winning Patrol was Noel Sheehan.

1974

Held at Larch Hill on the 24^th and 25^th of August. The Trophy was won by the37th Cork (Togher) Troop. President Childers toured the site during the competition. The Chief Scout Mr. James D. Hally made the presentation. The 9^th Dublin (Aughrim Street) were second.

1975

Held at Larch Hill on the 23^rd and 24^th of August. The Cork (Togher) Troop retained the Trophy having won it in 1974. Thirty-two Patrols took part in the competition. Second was the 8^th Cork (Cathedral) and third was the 78^th Dublin (Clondalkin). Chief Scout Mr. James D. Hally presented the Trophy. The winning Patrol were Patrol Leader Paul Morgan, Edward McCarthy, Patrick O’Sullivan, Brendan Cooper and Patrick Bradley. Scout Christopher Madden a member of the Connor Diocese team was taken to Saint Vincent’s hospital during the competition suffering from appendicitis, he was reported well after under-going an operation. The winning team were Patrol Leader Pat Hogan, Edward McCarthy, Patrick O’Sullivan, Brendan Cooper, Kieran Cremin, Patrick Burke and Gerard Fitzgerald.

1976

Held at Larch Hill on the 19^th to the 22^nd of August. The 37^th Cork (Togher) Troop retained the Trophy having won it in 1975. Patrol Leader David Kidney received the Trophy from Chief Scout Mr. James D. Hally at larch Hill. Other members of the winning Patrol were Jerry Murphy, Seamus Moriarty, Martin Dunlea, Victor Horgan, Sean Dunlea and Patrick Bradley. The Scout Leader of the winning Patrol was Martin McCarthy. 39 Patrols took part in the competition.

1977

Held at Larch Hill on the 25^th to the 28^th of August. No results.

1978

Held at Larch Hill on the 17^th to the 20^th of August. No results.

1979

Held at Larch Hill on the 24^th to the 26^th of August. The 60^th Cork (Togher) Troop won the Trophy. Cork Troops swept the winners board with the 8^th Cork (St. Marys) second, 17^th Cork (Blackrock) third and fourth place went to the 45^th Cork, the 19^th Belfast (Northern Ireland Scout Council) were fifth. Eight hundred Scouts from 28 Troops competed in the competition.

1980

Held at Kilcully County Cork from the 28^th to the 31^st of August. The 13^th Kildare (Clane) Troop won the Trophy. Six hundred Scouts from 20 Troops took part.

1981

Held at Larch Hill from the 20^th to the 23^rd of August. No results.

1982

Held at Larch Hill from the 20^th to the 22^nd of August. The winners were the 14^th Kerry (Caherciveen). The winning Troops were Sean Gill, P. J. Casey, Diarmuid Cournane, Jim Sugrue, Brian O’Sullivan, Matthew O’Neill, Brendan McCarthy, and John Kavanagh. Scout Kieran Quinlan was substitute on stand-by in case of illness. Their leaders were Unit Leader Brother Campion, Scout Leader Kevin Murphy and Assistant Leader Michael Kenneaslly.

1983

Held at Larch Hill from the 18^th to the 21^st of August. The Trophy was won by the 21^st Limerick (Holy Family and Southill) Troop. The winning team were Patrol Leader Thomas Hayes, APL Timothy Farrelly, John O’Neill, Joseph Sheehan, Harry Barry, Christopher O’Gorman, Sean Costello and Derek McLnerney. Over 450 Scouts making up 58 Patrols took part.

1984

Held at Larch Hill from the 23^rd to the 26^st of August. Won by the 4^th Waterford (Abbeyside). 54 Troops took part.

1985

Held at Kilcully campsite in Cork to celebrate Corks 800^th anniversary from the 22^nd to the 25^th of August. Won by the 4^th Waterford (Abbeyside). One thousand Scouts from fifty-eight Troops took part.

1986

Held at the Royal Dublin Society (R.D.S.) grounds in Dublin from the 22^nd to the 24^th of August. Won by a Troop from Dublin.

1987

Held at Larch Hill from the 21^st to the 23^rd of August. No results.

1988

Held in the grounds of University College Dublin (U.C.D.) from the 19^th to the 21^st of August. Over 800 Scouts making up 112 Patrols attended the event which had the sub-title of ‘The Millennium Camp’ as 1988 was the 1000^th anniversary of Dublin City. The competition was won by 17^th Waterford Troop. Scout Association of Ireland Scouts also took part in the event.

1989

Held in the grounds of Mount Mellery, Lismore, County Waterford, from the 17^th to the 20^th of August. The competition was won by the 17^th Waterford City (St. Paul’s) with the 13^th De La Salle Troop from Waterford City taking a close second place. Other competitions including what was described as the most colourful event was the ‘French Fair’ held to mark the Bicentenary of the French Revolution saw the 23^rd Dublin Troop take the Dermot Murphy Trophy for the best interpretation of the theme. The Melleray Cup for best Visiting Troop went to the 10^th Belfast. The Trek Cart Trophy donated by Kelloggs went to the 11^th Armagh and the Camp-craft Trophy went to the 1^st/2^nd Kerry (Tralee).

1990

Held at Larch Hill sometime in August. The Trophy was won by 1^st Wicklow 2^nd Dublin St. Kilian’s Greystones.

1991

Held in Tallymore Forest Park, Newcastle, County Down from the 22^nd to the 25^th of August. This was the first time the competition was held in Northern Ireland. No results.

1992

Held in Ballincollig Regional Park, Cork from the 20^th to the 23^rd of August. The winners were the 38^th/40^th Cork (Ballinlough), the 37^th Cork (Togher) took second place and third went to the 94^th Dublin (Walkinstown).

1993
No results.

1994

The competition was held in the grounds of Copsewood College, Pallaskenry, County Limerick from the 18^th to the 21^st of August. Two Troops from Cork shared first place, the 24^th/65^th Cork (Charleville) and Glanmire Troop defeated 60 other Patrols for the honour. The winning Charleville Patrol were Patrol Leader Michael Browne, APL Kevin O’Leary, Eoin Browne, Paul O’Leary, Pat Custir, Barry Ryan, Patrick Quain and Cian O’Laoithe. The camp was divided into four sub-camps, Wolves, Curlews, Bulls and Ravens, twenty of the 62 Patrols were mixed (boys and girls).

1995

The competition was held in Larch Hill from the 17^th to the 20^th of August. The winning Troop were Saint Pauls Waterford. 64 Patrols took part. The winning Patrol were PL Declan Kelly, APL Keith Walsh, and Scouts James O’Rourke, Neal O’Brien, Damian Fitzgerald, Kevin Butler, Conor Kenny and Colin Greany, scoring a total of 1636 out of a possible 2000.

1996

The competition was held in Mount Melleray near Cappoquin County Waterford from the 21^st to the 25^th of August. The winning Patrol were from the 17^th Waterford (Lisduggan), second place went to the 103^rd Dublin (Wellington). 525 Scout took part in the competition including 200 girls.

1997

The competition was held in Larch Hill from the 21^st to the 25^th of August. The winning Patrol were from the 17^th Waterford (Lisduggan), second place went to the 80^th Cork (Little Island) and third was the 13^th Waterford (De La Salle). Scout Troops from Europe and the US also took part in the competition.

1998

The competition was held in Kilcully, County Cork from the 20^th to the 23^rd of August. Cork swept the board taking the top three places, the winning Patrol were from Ballinlough, Charleville were second and Carrigaline third. Nearly 600 Scouts took part including Scouts from Kenya and the US.

1999

The competition was held in Larch Hill. The Trophy was won by Saint Paul’s Unit Waterford, the winning Patrol were Claire Guilfoyle, Sarah Johnston, Emer O’Connor, Deirdre Guilfoyle, David O’Neill, James Errit, Robbie Kelly, Ian Allen and Alan Walker. It was the first time in the history of the competition that the winning Patrol was led by a girl.

2000

The competition was held in Larch Hill from the 17^th to the 20^th of August. The Trophy was won by the 3^rd Waterford (De La Salle) Troop. The Scout Leader of the 3^rd Waterford Paschal Guilfoyle is the father of the first girl to lead a winning Patrol in the competition, his daughter Clare Guilfoyle was Patrol Leader of the 1999 winning Patrol. The winning 2000 team were Leon Mullally, Conor Walsh, Kieran Gleeson, Ian Griffin, John Cummins, Brian Brazil, Conor Dempsey and Patrick Kelly.

This badge measures 50mm by 60mm and was awarded to participants who took part in the year 2000. The Melvin Cup is an annual competition, it used to be called The All Ireland Scout Craft Competition and the Melvin Cup was the prize for the winners. The competition is open to Patrols, each Patrol has to qualify to take part and the competition takes place over a long weekend, usually 3 days. Competitors are tested in all Scouting skills, Camping, Hiking, Cooking, First Aid and so on. The competition has taken place every year since 1932.

2001

The competition was held in Lacca, Castleconnell, County Limerick from the 15^th to the 19^th of August. Won by Saint Paul’s.

2002

Held at Larch Hill sometime in August. The Trophy was won by St. Paul’s Troop from Limerick.

2003

Held at Larch Hill sometime in August. The Trophy was won by St. Paul’s Troop from Limerick. The winning Patrol were Emer O’Connor, David Kenny, Conor Walsh, Dean McGrath, Sarah Johnston, Lyndsay Farrell, Kate Keoghan and Niall Mahon.

The Melvin Cup was a Catholic Scouts of Ireland competition, in 2004 with the formation of Scouting Ireland the Melvin Cup and the Scout Association of Ireland’s Smythe Cup competitions were merged into the Phoenix Patrol Challenge.

Smythe Cup

The Scout Association of Ireland had the Smythe Cup (also recorded as the Smyth Cup), the Smythe Cup competition started about 1916 and was awarded up to 2003.

1926

The Cup was presented by General Sir William Hickie in Lord Iveagh’s grounds on Saturday the 29^th of May to the 1^st Dublin Troop (Lord Holmpatrick’s Own). The Scouts’ Sports Cup was won by Sandford, the Wolf Cubs’ Sports Cup was won by Clontarf and the Rover Scout Football League Championship Cup by the 1^st Port of Dublin Sea Scouts.

1927

The cup was presented by General Sir Bryan Mahon in Lord Iveagh’s grounds on Saturday the 28^th of May to the 32^nd Dublin (Rathgar) Troop. The Sir John Arnott’s Leinster Football Challenge Cup was presented to the 1^st Port of Dublin Sea Scouts. The band of the British Legion (Ireland) entertained a large crowd including over one thousand Rover Scouts, Wolf Cubs and for the first time taking part in the Smyth Cup, Sea Scouts.

1928

Won by the Sandford Troop Dublin Boy Scouts Association. The Cup was presented by Mr. F. A. Sterling U.S. Minister at the Dublin Boy Scouts annual rally and sports held at Lord Iveagh’s grounds Harcourt Street Dublin on the 23^rd of June 1928.

1933

At the annual rally and sports day held in Lord Iveagh’s Ground, Harcourt Street, Dublin on Saturday the 24^th of June Major W.S.G. Drummond D.S.O. presented the Smyth Cup to the 23^rd Dublin Troop, the Rover Scout Challenge Cup was won for the sixth time by the 11^th (Zion) Troop and the Association Football Cup was won by the 23^rd Dublin Troop.

1934

At a Sports Day held in Lord Iveagh’s Grounds Dublin on Saturday the 7^th of July the Smyth Cup was won by Rathfarnham the 23^rd Dublin Company won the Scouts Sports Cup, Zion Troop won the Challenge Cup, Sandford won the Pack-Beresford Cup and Glasnevin won the Oaks Memorial Cup.

1938

On Saturday the 25^th of June Travelling Commissioner the Earl of Buckinghamshire presented the Smyth Cup to the 39^th Dublin (Morgan School) Troop who also won the Bain Shield. The 32^nd Dublin (Christchurch Rathgar) Troop won the Powerscourt Senior Scout Award.

1944

The Cup was presented at the annual sports day at Lansdowne Road, the 31^st Rathfarnham won the Smyth Cup. The 27^th (St. Andrews College) Troop won the Oakes Memorial Cup and the Scouts Sports Cup. The Bain Junior Cup was won by the 33^rd Dublin (Sandford).

1991

In August 1991 the competition was held at the Curraghchase Estate near Limerick City. 250 Scouts in 33 Patrols took part. During the camp the Scouts also took part in a re-enactment of the Siege of Limerick.

2001

The competition was held at Curraghchase Estate near Limerick City. 25 Patrols involving 250 Scouts took part in the competition which included a simulated hot air balloon crash and a raft building competition. The Cup was won by the 54^th Dublin (Cornelscourt) Troop.

Sionnach Adventure Badge

Scouting Ireland Sionnach Adventure. Sionnach Adventure takes place several times a year and is something similar to the Mountain Pursuit Challenge MPC. The structure of the events differ slightly in that Sionnach Adventures tend to have shorter hike routes and involve training sessions at checkpoints, while MPC’s have slightly longer routes and involve only navigation checks at checkpoints. Sionnach Adventure also takes place outside Ireland, in 2014 one event took place in Wales. In recent years the Sionnach badge has been replaced with a Scarf/Necker. Sionnach is the Irish for Fox.

FIA Challange

The badge measures 80mm by 40mm. The Fia Challenge was open to all Scout Patrols and involved a hike, usually over 10 miles, the hike had to take place of varying terrain and involve mountainous area and roads, as the Patrols progress through the hike they were tested on various Scouting skills such as First Aid, Map Reading, Road Safety and that essential Scouting skill making up a rhyme about how your day was going. Fia is the Irish for Deer.

Mountain Pursuit Challenge MPC

Mountain Pursuit Challenge MPC badge was awarded to Scouts who had completed the MPC. The Challenge consisted of camping skills, hiking and navigation, the event usually took place over three days. A Scout could gain and wear all four badges on the uniform, one challenge per province took place every year. Scouts took part in the challenge in teams of four.

Leinster

Connacht

Ulster

Scouting Ireland MPC 1991 – 2011. Issued to mark 20 years of the Mountain Pursuit Challenge.

The current Scouting Ireland MPC badges, top Ulster, right, Leinster, left Connaught, bottom, Munster. All four badges could be worn on the uniform at the same time.

Catholic Scouts of Ireland County Expedition Award and County Mountain Challenge, not sure if these two badges are still used (2014), they were part of the MPC challenge and worn with the MPC badges as can be seen in the illustration above. They were awarded between 2003 and 2010.

County Mountain Challenge

County Expedition Award

Explorer Belt

Scouting Ireland Explorer Belt 2012 Bretagne. Issued in 2012 to Scouts who took part in the 200km walk in France as part of their Explorer Belt.

Peak 2000 Challenge Badge

Although the event is UK based it is not unusual to see Irish Scouts wearing the Peak Challenge badge as Irish Troops frequently take part. The Peak Challenge is an event which takes place every 5 years.

Sluaíocht na Sléibhte

The Sluaíocht na Sléibhte (SNS) is a weekend mountaineering event for teams of 3 Venture Scouts. They are considered as an extension to the Scout mountaineering programme (MPC, Sionnach, PEAK) but with some key changes. The main change is the requirement for adult leader is removed.

Two events are held every year- the winter expedition and the Summer Climb Ax. The first winter SNS was held in 2006 in Lugnaquilla in Wicklow. The 2007 winter SNS went to Mount Snowdon in Wales while the Summer Climb Ax was held in Annascul, Kerry.

Ventact South

Ventact South is organised by the Joint Committee on Scouting and Guiding in Cork and caters for Venture Scouts and Ranger Guides from all over Ireland. The event takes place the first weekend in September each year at the Kilcully Scout Centre.

Ventact South is unique as it is Irelands only Joint Event for the Senior Sections of Scouting and Guiding. The event is organized by the Ventact South Sub Committee who are part of the Joint Committee of Scouts and Guides in Cork. The Committee is made up of members of Scouting Ireland, Irish Girl Guides and The Catholic Guides of Ireland. The chairperson rotates annually between the three organizations.

Founding members of Ventact South in 1978 were Don Trotter (Scout Association of Ireland), Liam Howe (Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland), Mary Stack (Irish Girl Guides) and Eileen McCarthy (Catholic Guides of Ireland) and the first Ventact took place from the 1st to the 3rd of September.

Participants arrive on the Friday and pitch their tents. There is normally a large campfire followed by Fire Performers. After this tickets for Saturday's activities are given out (followed by a mad dash to swap activities). On Saturday morning participants are bused offsite to do two activities (e.g. Water-skiing, Zip it, Escape Spike Island, Canoeing, Rafting, High Ropes and the Ventact Famous Monopoly Run). When they return, there is a barbecue at the campsite. On Saturday evening there is a Scouts/Guides Own followed by the ever popular themed Ventact Disco. On Sunday morning bouncing castles and inflatable obstacle courses before everyone heads home. The badge design changes every year depending on the theme of the event.