Scout group returns with new spirit
After a prolonged pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 1st/10th Westmeath Mullingar Scout Group has officially restarted, and had an official relaunch at the Mullingar Variety Club last Tuesday evening.
Laura, the newly elected group leader and a Mullingar native who began Scouting as a Beaver Scout at the age of six, described the relaunch as deeply emotional.
“Scouting has shaped who I am, and it’s a privilege to now lead this group as we begin a new chapter,” said Laura. “Seeing old faces and new ones come together in uniform again was really moving.”
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Chief Scout Eoin Callinan speaking with Scouts.Image 2 of 9
Eoin Cassells, Seamus Hallinan and Andrew Byrne.Image 3 of 9
Laura Heap, Deirdre O’Reilly and Luboslava Dolinska.Image 4 of 9
Laura Heap receiving a Scouting Ireland flag from Eoin Callinan.Image 5 of 9
Anne Claffey and Ramun Aranauskiene.Image 6 of 9
Laura Heap, Gail Fitzgerald, Eoin Callinan and Deirdre O'Brien McGivney.Image 7 of 9
Laura Heap and Eoin Callinan.Image 8 of 9
Mullingar Scouting Group with Scouting Ireland Staff.Image 9 of 9
Some of Mullingar Scouting Group after their investiture.The group took advantage of the dry day and held the proceedings outside, in true Scout form. Chief Scout of Scouting Ireland, Eoin Callinan, travelled from Cork for the occasion and joined North Eastern Provincial Commissioner Gail Fitzgerald and Lakelands Scout County Commissioner Deirdre O’Brien McGivney in welcoming the group back.
Also present were Scouting Ireland staff members whose dedication helped facilitate the relaunch: James Fox, Provincial Support Officer, and Peter O’Brien, Development Support Officer.
Scouting activities resumed quietly in April 2025, but Tuesday marked the group’s official return. During the Investiture ceremony, Chief Scout Eoin Callinan supported Laura Heap in reaffirming her Scout Promise. And in turn, Laura invested her Scouters, or adult leaders and they in turn invested the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Ventures.
Eoin spoke about the importance of youth engagement: “We must never underestimate the positive impact we, as Scouters, can have on the lives of young people. Our influence, our support, and our example matter more than ever.”
A total of 16 Scouters and 25 youth members reaffirmed or were newly invested during the evening.
Adding to the occasion were Laura’s parents, Ollie and Anna Mills. Ollie Mills, who was the first Lakelands Scout County Commissioner two decades ago, stood proudly in support of his daughter’s leadership and watched on as their grandchildren were welcomed into Scouting.
Laura highlighted the determination of the team and stated that in the next few weeks, after only two months of Scouting, there will be end of year camps for all the new Scouts, and planning for the year ahead is already in place.
The Mullingar Scout Group hopes to expand its programme by September with additional meeting times and the recruitment of more volunteers. Long-term planning is under way for the group’s 50th anniversary in 2028.
While the path to rebuilding will require dedication and time, the spirit of Scouting was unmistakable on Tuesday night.
The group is hopeful that by September, it will once again have a more permanent home at the Mullingar Variety Club and continue to grow stronger as it rebuilds for the future.