Group History

1st Meath (Dunboyne) Scout Group was founded in 1973 as an affiliate of the Scouting Association of Ireland (SAI) by Ambrose Duffy, Terry Rooney and Phil Connell amongst others.

The group consisted initially of just a single Cub Pack, with meetings held at first in the assembly hall of the National School (initially for boys only, girls did not come on board until 1982).

Within a few years, Beaver and Scout sections were added. The first Group Leader was Fr. O’Reilly, followed shortly by Nigel Beresford, who served in this capacity for over 20 years.

In 1985, under Nigel’s stewardship, the sod was turned for a new den on the Rooske Road.

Nigel was succeeded in 1997 by Michael Daly, who ran the ship for the next 20 years. Michael introduced a hugely successful water sports programme and oversaw the construction of a boathouse in 2013. He was followed by Denis O’Brien, who spearheaded the addition of a new den extension in 2022, providing additional meeting rooms and updated toilet facilities.

The incumbent Group Leader, Bernie O’Connor, presided over the celebration in 2023 of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the group. A 50th Anniversary camp was held in Tagoat County Wexford in May, with 250 youth and adult members participating, drawn from every section in the group.

1st Meath (Dunboyne) is now one of the largest scout groups in the country, with almost 250 youth members spread across the four sections of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Ventures, ranging in age from 6 to 18 years. Alongside the overall personal development of our youth members, the Group provides a programme of outdoor pursuits including hillwalking, paddling (kayaking and canoeing), camping, bushcraft, pioneering (“scout engineering”) and emergency skills such as first aid.