| Reports of Events |
Here are reports of some of our events.
To view reports from 2002 please click here
To view reports from 2003 please click here
To view reports from 2004 please click here
To view reports from 2005 please click here
To view reports from 2006 please click here
To view reports from 2007 please click here
To view reports from 2008 please click here
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| District Orienteering Competition | 26th October 2003 |
The Scouts were at the District Orienteering Competition in Jenkinstown last Sunday where scouts from around the District competed for the Orienteering Trophy. Well done to Tommy O Brien and Blaine Doyle who came 1st and to Daniel O Brien and John Morgan who came 2nd both in record time. The overall trophy winner is decided by adding the top 3 times for each group together to see which group has the fastest time. Once again we managed to have the best overall time and brought the Orienteering Trophy back to Graigue for the 3rd time in a row. Well done to everyone.
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| KNOCKMEALDOWN SIONNACH | 17th October 2003 |
| Shane D, Tommy O B and Shane F headed off on Friday the 17th of October for the Munster Sionnach. The hike started outside Cappaquinn Co. Waterford and after a short hike on Friday night to base camp which was situated at the foot of the Knockmealdown, we pitched our tents in the dark and hit the sack. On Saturday morning we woke to a beautiful day. It was a bit windy but a few rashers warmed us up and we were soon on our way to the top of Knockmealdown Mountain (over 700m)). It was a very sttep climb but the view from the top was well worth it. We then headed down along a ridge and down into the valley below where we pitched our tents. On Saturday evening we made boats from different things we had been given at the various bases during the day and raced them across the lake. Then we settled down to a nice ward dinner on the trangias and headed off to bed. On sunday morning it was nice but misty. We packed up and headed off on a short easy walk back to the car park. After about 3 hours we were back in the car park delighted that the rain had stayed away. |
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| HIKE TO BRANDON SUNDAY | 12th October 2003 |
| Last weekend 20 scouts headed off early on Sunday morning for Brandon Hill. We started at the Square and after a gear check by the patrol leaders we set off. Various check point were set up along the route by the patrol leaders and the younger scouts had lots to do on the way. Once we reached the edge of Brandon hill it was time to get out the kites and try our hands at kite flying. After we had something to eat we went on to the top where the boys tried out the storm shelter and had some fun in the heather. It was very windy on top. The boys had great fun coming down through the heather. Everyone had a great day. |
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| WICKLOW SIONNACH | 3rd October 2003 |
| 9 scouts completed the Wicklow Sionnach. We started at Lough Dan, co Wiclow on friday night and after a short but steep hike pitched our tents in the dark and went off to bed. On Saturday morning everyone was up early and after breakfast everything was packed into the rucksacks and we headed up Scarr. After Scarr we headed for Kanturk moutain and across to Glemacnass Waterfall where we stopped for some lunch before the long climb up to Tonaglee where we were camping on Saturday night. By 3p.m. it was -3 with the wind chill factor and one dinner was cooked on the trangias it was time to get into our tents for the night at 7p.m. the next morning it was very cold again and we packed up all our gear and headed down the hill to Glenmacnass Waterfall again. By the time we got down everyone had warmed up. Another up-hill climb brough us back to Kanturk and across the ridge. By 1p.m. we were back at the car park and ready for home. Everyone had a very enjoyable weekend and we were glad it stayed reasonably dry even though it was cold. |
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| SIONNACH - ACHILL | 19th September 2003 |
| 5 Scouts headed for Achill on Friday 19th of September. It was a 6.5 hour drive to Achill and it was 10p.m. before we reached Achill but we got our tents up quickly just before the rain started. On Saturday morning we headed off for Croaghan, the highest point on the western sea board. It was a very steep tough climb but we got their eventually. The weather was lovely and the views spectacular. The rest of the hike was ridge walking and everyone really enjoyed themselves. We arrived back to base camp aroun 5p.m. and everyone had time to go to Keem beach before they cooked up their dinners on the trangias. It was early to bed to be ready for the next day. Sunday morning started out a bit damp and everyone had to get their wet gear on before heading up the hill. However before we got to the top the rain cleared away and the sun came out. Again the scenery was spectacular. We finished our hike on Sunday by 1.30p.m. and everyone got changed and headed for home. Everyone agreed this was well worth the journey. The scenery was out of this world and everyone had a brilliant weekend. Well done to the team, Damien O Neill, Tommy O Brien, Shane Foley, Stuart Kinsellan and Daniel O Brien. |
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| Canoeing | 7th September 2003 |
| Michael Cushen organised a 15km canoeing trip for his Chief Scout award. Shielbeggan outdoor education centre provided all the gear and equipment and the instructors as we needed to comply with the safety regulations. They brought the group from Graiguenamanagh down the Barrow to St Mullins going down the many weirs on the way. Everyone had a great day even if some fell out |
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| THE SMYTHE CUP 2003 | 15th August 2003 |
| The Funky Wombats along with the Woodpecker Patrol from 14th Kilkenny Bennettsbridge attended the Smythe Cup Finals in Lough Dan Co. Wicklow from the 15th of August to the 19th. They competed against 24 teams from all over Ireland. While there the teams were totally on their own and were not allowed to talk to the leaders. The Theme for the Smythe Cup was Christmas and their site and food had to be appropriate. Christmas music was played all weekend and all the sites were beautifully decorated. The Wombats cooked the full Christmas Dinner on Sunday for inspection. their starter was smoked salmon, followed by turkey, ham stuffing, roast potatoes, boiled potatoes, carrots, broccoli, gravy and cranberry sauce. This was followed by tiramusu. Other tasks completed wer Map & Compass, Axe and Saw, Raft building, Pioneering, Bivouac Building, Health & Safety Inspections, Site Development and Site Inspections. there was still some time for fun at the campfire and a disco. The Wombat team consisted of Stuart Kinsella, P.L. Shane Foley A.P.L. Daniel O Brien, Robbie Poole, Michael Cushen, Shane Walshe, and Tommy O Brien. The Wombats had a very clear victory winning by 54 points, achieving 86% of the total marks and bringing The Smythe Cup to Graiguenamanagh for the 1st time ever. In 2nd place was Muff, Co Donegal and they were followed very closely by our friends the Woodpecker patrol from 14th Kilkenny Bennettsbridge. |
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| 30 km Canoeing Expedition - Gaisce Awards | 9th August 2003 |
| Tommy O Brien, Shane Foley and Shane Doyle completed a 30km canoeing trip for theirGaisce awards. They were accompanied by Daniel O Brien, Feekie O Brien and Kevin Irwin. On Saturday they started off in Leighlinbridge, paddled down the river through Bagenalstown, Goresbridge, Ballythghlea and eventually finished in Clashganny where they camped up for the night following a barbecue. On Sunday morning they headed off again this time accompanied by Wayne and Lisa until they reached St. Mullins. |
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| PRACTICE FOR THE SMYTHE CUP | 6th August 2003 |
| The Funky Wombats started preparing for the Smythe Cup. their primary concerns were site development and their menu and cooking as they needed to incorporate the theme for the Smyth Cup "Christmas". A lot of time was spent on site development to make sure they had the equipment they needed. Then they had to prepare their Christmas Dinner. After that it was down to packing the patrol box and gathering up the bits and pieces. Everyone was really looking forward to a terrific weekend from the 15th/19th August at the Smythe Cup in Lough Dan,Co Wicklow. |
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| REGATTA WEEKEND | 3rd August 2003 |
| Every year a Regatta is held in Graiguenamanagh. Lots of events take place each year from diving to swimming to cot rates etc. Well doen to all the scouts who won prizes in all of the above events. On the Bank Holdiay Monday an Iron Man competition is held, both Junior and Senior. Well done to Daniel O Brien who won the Iron Man Competition, to Tommy O Brien who came 2nd and shane Foley who came 3rd. Each participant had to swim across the Barrow, run to the bridge across the bridge and back to the boat slip. they then had to paddle a canoe down the river about 500m and back to the diving board. Well done alos to Shane Doyle and Tommy O Brien who where part of the rowing team which won also. |
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| BIVY OUT BRANDON HILL | 25th July 2003 |
| Early on Friday morning some of the lads went up Brandon to start building the bivies to show the younger scouts what the bivy could look like. At 4p.m. everyone met at the scout shed to gather up all the gear for the night and we headed for Brandon hill. It was a lovely warm day and when we got to the spot near Freaneys well everyone mucked in to build enough bivies for everyone for the night. Then we collected some firewood, and did some backwoods cooking. Shane F managed to sleep in a hammock for the night. Everyone thought it was a brilliant night and wanted to do another one before going back to school. |
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| ANNUAL GROUP BARBECQUE. | 4th July 2003 |
| A barbecque was held in O Briens, for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and their families. This is one of the few group outings which we hold every year. It was a lovely sunny evening. Well done to Shane Foley, Wayne O Neill, Stuart Kinsella and Daniel O Brien who got everything ready for the Barbecque, cooked everything and cleared away afterwards. |
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| Gaisce Awards 4 Day training Expedition | 1st July 2003 |
| Tommy O Brien was selected to complete a 4 day training course with the Defence forces as part of his Gaisce Award, along with 25 others from all over Ireland. The event took place in Wicklow and included many activities including abseiling, bivying, canoing, rafting and much more. This is a great achievement for Tommy |
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| District Rafting Competition | 29th June 2003 |
| The Scouts had a great day in Leighlinbridge for the District Rafting competition. The final was won by Shane Foley, Wayne O Neill, Stuart Kinsella and Daniel O Brien. Bennetsbridge came 2nd and Borris won the prize for the best raft. Everyone had a swim in the river and a very enjoyable day was had by everyone. |
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| 100 KM CYCLE GRAIGUENAMANAGH TO STRADBALLY CO. WATERFORD | 20th June 2003 |
| Jim O Donnell and Michael Cushen both opted to complete a 100km cycle for their Chief Scout Awards. On Friday the 20th of June they started in Graiguenamanagh and headed for Campile, Co. Wexford where they stayed with Mrs L O Neill for the 1st night. On Saturday morning they headed off for Ballyhack and got the ferry to passage East. From there they went on to Tramore and had an early lunch before heading on again. The route followed the coast road and took through Annestown, Bunmahon and on to Stradbally. Good time was made and they reached Stradbally early in the Afternoon. We had arranged the use of a field beside the beach and everyone headed off for a swim to cool down as soon as we got there. After dinner we went for a drive to Mahon Falls in the Commeraghs. On sunday some parents came to collect the lads. Well done to Jim and Michael and also to Robbie, Wayne, Damien, Tommy, Daniel and Shane F who completed the 100km. |
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| Pioneering - Chief Scout Awards | 7th June 2003 |
| Michael Cushen and his team built a large look out tower. |
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| Rafting | 1st June 2003 |
| The District rafting competition will take place on Sunday 29th of June and with this in mind we decided to have a practice in Graiguenamanagh as we had one the previous year and it was great fun. The weather was fine and it was the Bank holiday weekend. This proved once again to be a fun filled day. |
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| SHERWOOD CUP 2003 | 16th May 2003 |
| The District camping skills competition took place in Inistioge from the 16th to the 18th of May 2003. congratulations to the Funky Wombats who came 1st. They had a very close win beating Bennettsbridge Woodpecker Patrol by 1.25points. This is the 1st time Graiguenamanagh has every won the Sherwood cup and a huge achievement for the lads. For the past few weeks they have been busy making sure that all the final preparations were in place. Weather conditions were atrocious but determination and a great sense of team spirit made things easier for them and they rain and much were only a minor detail. The funky Wombats are Stuart Kinsella, P.L., Shane Foley A.P.L., Robbie Poole, Shane Walsh, Daniel O Brien, Michael Cushen and Wayne O Neill. Well done also to the Dragon patrol under the leadership of Tommy O Brien P>L> and James Foley A.P.L. The had a new patrol of younger scouts and only had a team of 5 instead of the usual 8, but the managed to come 4th, 3rd Carlow Borris were 3rd beating the Dragons by 1 point. Well done to the young scouts on this team, Blaine Doyle, Sean O Brien, and Nicholas O Donnell who worked so hard. Lastly but by no means least well done to the Radioactive Racoons who came 8th also with a team of 5. |
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| PRACTICE FOR THE SHERWOOD CUP | 1st May 2003 |
| Over the May Bank-Holiday we had our practice for the Sherwood Cup, the Annual District Camping Competition, sponsored every year by Sherwoods of Kilkenny. Our main priorities for the weekend were to organise our sites and practice our cooking. The weather was absolutely dreadful, it never stopped rainig, so much so that we had to abandon our tents on Saturday night and sleep in our leaders loft. Competition at the Sherwood Cup is stiff and your have to be 1st or 2nd to qualify for the Smythe Cup, the All Ireland Camping Skills Competition. In spite of the rain everyone had a great weekend. Lots of preparation still had to be done before the competition and the scouts were busy for the next week getting their patrol boxes packed and making sure they had everything. |
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| 15 KM HIKE | 21st April 2003 |
| David Kinsella as part of his chief Scout award organised a Hike. The planned route was Tomduff, The Nine Stones, Mt Leinster and Scullogue Gap. The weather was atrocious for Easter Monday and visibility very poor, but this turned out to our advantage as it gave everyone a chance to practice their navigation skills. It was a very wet day, but everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. |
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| PEAK 2003 | 18th April 2003 |
| Shane Foley and Tommy O Brien attended Peak, a weeklong personal development course for Scouts over 14 - held in Killarney. The programme offers participants a chance to take part in a whole range of outdoor activities as well as the opportunity to improve on skills such as backpacking, navigation, route finding, map reading and lightweight camping. The week culminates in a 2 day expedition route in the Reeks, which the scouts comple in Patrols unaccompanied by an adult. Tommy and Shane had a brilliant week, in Cappanalea Adventure Centre in Kerry, the base for the weeklong adventure. Activities included rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing, windsurfing, night navigation and to finish off the week a 2 day expedition in the Reeks. "the best week of my life" (S.F.) |
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| SOCCER BLITZ | 8th March 2003 |
| 3 teams took part in the indoor soccer blitz in O Loughlins Gaels in Kilkenny. there wer some very spectacular matches but both Graig A and B teams got to the semi finals. the A team had a very tough match against 2nd Kilkenny, last years champions but Graig shone through and met Graig B team in the final. The last time Graiguenamanagh won the Soccer Blitz was when Michael Reddy was a scout, some time ago now. At this stage it didnt really matter as Graig had won. However the A team were the eventual winners. Well doen to Shane Foley who collected the trophy for the man of the tournament. |
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| FOUNDERS DAY | 7th March 2003 |
| Every year we have a Founders Day Cermony, to remember our Founder, Lord R.B. Baden Powell as close to the 22nd of February as possible. Sometimes this is a District event and sometimes we have a local event. This year it was held in Duiske Abbey, Graiguenamanagh followed by a meal in the Duiske Inn. Again Donald Harvey, Chief Scout travelled to Graiguenamanagh for our Founders Day Cermony. |
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| CHIEF SCOUT AWARDS | 22nd February 2003 |
| Shane Foley and Tommy O Brien and their families attended the presentation of the Chief Scout Awards in the Mansion House. The Lord mayor was there to greet them along with Donald Harvey, Chief Scout, Howard Kilroy and Pat Black and many other dignatories. Tommy and Shane were the only Scouts from the Ormonde District and there were 27 other Scouts from all over Ireland who also got thier Chief Scout Awards. |
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| HIKE TO BRANDON HILL | 25th January 2003 |
| We started at 11.am. It was a beautiful day even though it was very cold when we reached the top, but we had our flasks and trangias. Then we tried our hands at Kite Flying. The younger Scouts also had great fun trying out the kishu. |
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| BOWLING | 3rd January 2003 |
| 30 Scouts and leaders went bowling in Carlow for our Christmas night out. |
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