Thirty years of Scouting for Milltownpass Scouts, and a new chapter ahead

The 9th Westmeath Milltownpass Scout Group is preparing to celebrate its 30th anniversary, bring Santa Express back to Mullingar and take the next steps on plans for a purpose-built Scout Den, camping and activity facility at Oldtown, Rochfortbridge.

In October 1996, more than 20 Beaver Scouts arrived for the first official meeting of a new Scout Group in Milltownpass. Thirty years later, 9th Westmeath Milltownpass Scout Group has around 70 young members, supported by more than 20 adult volunteers. For 30 years, its young people have been camping, hiking, cooking outdoors, learning practical skills, taking on challenges, working in teams and gradually taking greater responsibility for their own Scouting.

The months ahead bring together several important parts of the story. On Saturday November 14, past and present members will come together to celebrate the 30th anniversary, with Chief Scout Eoin Callanan.

On December 12 and 13, the Santa Express returns to Mullingar Railway Station for its fourth year.

And after two and a half years of work behind the scenes, a project which began at a Group and community workshop has reached a significant milestone, and a new Scout Den, camping and activity facility at Oldtown, Rochfortbridge are now at planning stage.

Group Leader Fiona O’Shea says the anniversary comes at a good time: “The Group is in a really good place. We have four active sections facilitating a busy programme and a fantastic team of volunteers making all of that possible.

“Reaching this stage with the Scout Den is a significant milestone, and our 30th anniversary feels like a good time to recognise everyone who has helped build the Group, while also looking at the opportunities we can create for the young people who will come after us.”

Beginnings

The history credits Rose Wright with the original idea that Milltownpass should have a Scout Group. Local volunteers took that idea forward and the Group was established in 1995. By its first official meeting in October 1996, more than 20 Beaver Scouts had joined. Among the original leaders were Nigel Boardman, Loreto Flanagan and Peter Corroon. The current Group is keen that the anniversary recognises Rose, Loreto, Peter and the late Nigel, together with the other Scouters, parents, committee members and supporters who helped establish the Group and keep it going through those early years.

“It is easy 30 years later to take for granted that there is a Scout Group here,” Fiona says. “Somebody had to have the idea in the first place, and then people had to be prepared to give their time to make it happen.

“Rose, Loreto, Nigel and Peter were there at the beginning, and everything we have today has grown from what they and the other early volunteers started.”

Many hundreds of young people have been part of 9th Westmeath since then. Some spent a few years as Beavers or Cubs, others continued through Scouts and Ventures. Some eventually returned as adult volunteers. Some former members are living locally while others have moved further afield. The Group would like to bring as many of those people as possible back into the story this November.

Come back and celebrate

The 30th anniversary celebration is on Saturday November 14, and the invitation is open to everyone who has been part of 9th Westmeath. Former Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Ventures, Scouters, committee members, volunteers, parents and friends of the Group are all invited to attend.

The celebration will also be the Group’s public event for Oíche na hÓige, Youth Night 2026, following its first participation last year.

The event is open to the wider community, and the Group would be delighted to welcome local families, former members, supporters and anyone with a connection to Scouting to come along and celebrate with members.

The Group is grateful to Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) for its support through the Youth Night Grant 2026 and for its ongoing support of the Group’s youth activities.

Chief Scout of Scouting Ireland Eoin Callanan will join the Group for the celebration. He said: “What an exciting time for the 9th Westmeath, Milltownpass. After many years of behind the scenes work by the Scouter Team, planning has been lodged for their new Scout facility. For a Scout Group to have its own Den can make a huge difference and facilities like these will make a massive difference for its young members for generations to come.

“I look forward to joining the Group on November 14 to celebrate the 30th anniversary. Bravo to all.”

Anyone planning to attend is asked to register at 9thwestmeathscouts.com so that the Group can plan appropriately for numbers, refreshments and seating.

The Group is also gathering photographs, stories and memories from across the last three decades. Former members are being encouraged to have a look through old photo albums, Scout boxes and drawers for camp photographs, badges, programmes, newspaper cuttings and other memorabilia.

“If you can’t be with us on 14 November, send us a message or a short video. We know not all of our former members are still living locally, and we’d still like them to be part of the celebration,” Fiona says.

Photographs, stories, memories and anniversary messages can be submitted through the Group website.

Community

Around two and a half years ago, the Group brought members, families and people from the wider community together for a workshop to explore what a future Scout facility could look like. The workshop asked a practical question: what would make a real difference to the young people and volunteers using the facility?

The discussions covered indoor activity space, camping, outdoor Scouting, storage, accessibility, inclusion and appropriate community use.

Those ideas were developed and refined over the following two and a half years and became the starting point for the proposal now before Westmeath County Council.

“We asked people what they felt we needed and what would make the biggest difference to the young people and volunteers,” Fiona says. “A lot of what came out of that workshop can still be seen in the design while some of the more ambitious elements still remain on our wish list for future development.”

The proposed development at Oldtown includes a purpose-built, single-storey Scout Den and extensive outdoor activity space. At the centre of the building is a large multi-purpose hall which can be used for section meetings, games, skills, training and Group activities.

Alongside it will be a kitchen with a serving hatch into the hall, meeting and office space and accessible toilet and shower facilities. The outdoor space has received just as much attention. A large grassed area behind the Den will provide dedicated space for camping, pioneering, campcraft, orienteering, environmental activities and other outdoor Scouting.

A covered barbecue and outdoor gathering area is also planned. Having the indoor and outdoor facilities together will give sections much more flexibility in how they use their meeting time.

Outdoor Scouting is already an important part of the Group’s programme. The Group is particularly grateful to Joe Malone of Meedin, who kindly allows the Scouts to use a woodland area on his land near Dalystown for backwoods and other activities. His support gives the young people the opportunity to practise skills such as campcraft, fire-lighting, outdoor cooking and other traditional Scouting skills in a proper woodland setting.

Shared Horizons

The Group is currently leading the Shared Horizons Project, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Shared Island Civic Society Fund. 9th Westmeath secured the funding as lead applicant for the project, which brings together our Group with four Scout Groups from Northern Ireland and a Group from Dublin. The aim is to bring young people together through shared Scouting experiences and to build lasting friendships and relationships across communities. The most recent project gathering was at Castle Saunderson International Scout Centre in September, where more than 100 young people came together for a weekend of activities, teamwork and shared experiences.

Scouting for everybody

The Group’s plans for their scout den include a dedicated sensory and quiet-support room. It will provide a calm space for a young person who may need some time away from the noise or activity of a busy Scout meeting before rejoining their friends.

“Scouting is for everybody,” Fiona says. “We have young people with different needs, and different ways of experiencing things, and we want our programme and our facilities to work for them. The sensory room gives a young person somewhere they can take a few minutes if they need to regulate and then go back and join their friends.

“We have learned a lot from providing sensory-friendly supports at Santa Express, and when we started designing the Den we wanted inclusion built in from the start.”

The Group is also investing in its volunteers’ understanding of neurodiversity. They invited experienced psychologist Mary Maher to attend Group meetings to observe and discuss with volunteers some of the challenges arising in practice. Mary has designed a bespoke workshop for the Scouter team to be delivered in mid-October. The training will focus on helping volunteers better understand and support neurodivergent young people and adapt activities and approaches where appropriate.

Santa Express already includes dedicated sensory-friendly provision, including a sensory carriage and quieter supports for children and families who can find a large, busy Christmas experience difficult.

The thinking behind the sensory room also sits comfortably with Scouting Ireland’s current strategy, launched this year, which places a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusion.

Scouting Ireland has formally supported the proposed development. CEO Seán Sheehan said: “This project represents a strategically important investment. A permanent, purpose-built facility will materially enhance the Group’s capacity to deliver safe, structured, and inclusive youth development programmes.”

“We therefore offer our full and unqualified support for this development as a long-term investment in Young People, volunteer leadership, and community life.”

Project

Finding a suitable site is always a significant challenge for a volunteer led community Group. Landowner John Flynn made the site at Oldtown available to the Group, allowing the plans to progress.

“Without John making the land available to us, this project simply could not have started,” Fiona says. “ His support gave us the opportunity to take the ideas from that first workshop and develop them properly. We are extremely grateful to him.”

Once there was a site, the Group needed professional help to develop the design and take it through the planning process. AECOM agreed to support the project on a pro bono basis.

The team includes David Hendron, Terry Murphy and Lauren Kane, together with Shaun Grima on traffic, drawing on expertise from AECOM’s Dublin and Belfast offices. David, regional director for Architecture at AECOM, said: “AECOM is proud to have developed a conceptual architectural design for a hall for the 9th Westmeath Milltownpass Scout Group. Teams based in our Dublin and Belfast offices utilised AECOM’s global technical expertise to develop a design ready for planning application that will give the Group their first ever purpose-built community hub.

“Once complete, the Scout Den will provide an inspiring environment for the Scouts, enabling them to expand the reach of their educational and active outdoor programmes, that will benefit even more young people across the community.”

Fiona said the Group could not have reached the planning stage without the AECOM support. “As a volunteer-led charity, we were conscious of not diverting funds raised for young people’s activities and opportunities to spend speculatively on developing a planning application. AECOM understood that challenge and agreed to support us on a pro bono basis. Their architecture team have put a huge amount of professional time, expertise and care into understanding our requirements and developing the proposal with us.

“It is an extraordinary contribution to the Group and to the young people and community we serve. We are so grateful to them for their generosity and belief in what we are trying to achieve.”

Work ahead

Reaching the planning stage is a significant point and Group hopes for a successful outcome before the end of the year. If permission is secured, work will move on to further design development, detailed costings and preparation for the major capital funding applications needed to deliver the facility.

“We are grateful to the Yellow River Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund for helping us with the next stage,” Fiona says. “Hopefully we will have a successful planning outcome and can then progress the design in greater detail, get proper costings and prepare for the major funding applications. There is still a long way to go, but after two and a half years of work, it is satisfying to have reached this point.”

The Scout Group became a registered charity in May 2025, and while fundraising for its own programme and future plans is important, it has also continued to use its largest public event to support other charities. That event returns in December.

Santa Express

Santa Express returns to Mullingar Railway Station on Saturday December 12 and Sunday 13, and tickets are now on sale at 9thwestmeathScouts.com.

The event began in 2023 and this Christmas will mark its fourth year. Families arrive at Mullingar Station for Christmas activities before boarding a real train for the Santa Express journey. Santa, Mrs Claus, elves, entertainment and gifts are part of the experience, alongside activities in and around the station. A dedicated sensory experience has also developed alongside the main event.

Behind the scenes, Santa Express is a considerable volunteer operation. Up to 100 volunteers are involved across the weekend including a huge number of people from across the community.

Iarnród Éireann

The Group has particular appreciation for Iarnród Éireann, which has supported and facilitated Santa Express since the first event in 2023. “Making something like this happen on a working railway takes a huge amount of cooperation, We are extremely grateful to everyone at Iarnród Éireann who works with us in the planning stages and to the railway staff who help us over the weekend.”

Businesses, performers and community organisations have also supported the event from the beginning providing sponsorship and donating products or materials services, entertainment, or volunteer refreshments. “Every bit of support makes a difference,” Fiona says.

“We would like to say a very genuine thank you to all of the businesses, organisations, performers and volunteers who have supported Santa Express over the last three years.”

Focus Ireland and LARCC

Santa Express raises funds for 9th Westmeath, but the Group has also been proud to use the event to support other charities. For the last two years, the Scouts have supported Focus Ireland, Iarnród Éireann’s charity partner, and that will continue again this year.

Santa Express 2026 will also support LARCC Cancer Support Sanctuary. That choice has a personal connection for the Group. LARCC was a wonderful support to one of the Scouters, Marie Hickey, and to her family, during her illness and the Group wants to acknowledge that support in a meaningful way.

Sponsorship

The Group would like to hear from businesses interested in becoming involved in Santa Express 2026. Financial sponsorship, donations of products, professional services, equipment, entertainment, and employee volunteering can all help.

All sponsors will be acknowledged on the Group’s social media and in event signage throughout the weekend both on the train and in the station. There is also an open invitation to volunteer.

There are roles both on and off the train, and previous Santa Express or Scouting experience is not required for every role.

Anyone who would like to get involved can find further information at 9thwestmeathScouts.com.

Looking ahead

The Group would also like to hear from people and businesses who may be able to support the Den as the project develops. Construction, engineering, quantity surveying, professional services, fundraising expertise, materials, equipment and corporate support are likely to become important at different stages.

Anniversary

The 30th anniversary provides an opportunity to recognise just how many people have played a part in the Group’s story. Rose Wright had the original idea; Nigel Boardman, Loreto Flanagan, Peter Corroon and other early volunteers helped turn it into a functioning Scout Group. Generations of Scouters, parents, committee members and supporters followed, and, throughout those 30 years have been the young people themselves.

“There isn’t one person or one committee that can claim a Scout Group after 30 years,” Fiona says. “It has been handed on from one Group of people to the next. We are grateful to Rose, Loreto, Nigel and Peter for getting it started, to all the volunteers and families who kept it going and to everybody who is helping us now.

“Our job now is to look after it for our time and leave it in a strong position for whoever comes next.” Fiona, who works for Iarnród Éireann says there is one phrase she is happy to borrow from her employer: ‘Proud of our past, passionate about our future.’

“It feels particularly appropriate this year. We are proud of the people who built this Group and everything that has happened over the last 30 years, and we are equally excited about what the next generation of 9th Westmeath will do with it.”

Thoughts of Loreto Flanagan, founding member

“As one of the founding members of the 9th Westmeath Scout Group, I am proud to think the group we started in 1996 is still here 30 years on, under the excellent leadership of Fiona O’Shea,” said Loreto Flanagan .

“It’s wonderful to see the group go from strength to strength over the years. No group can operate without its volunteers, and since 1995, we’ve had more than 60 adult leaders and almost 1000 children.

“Scouting in Milltownpass began following an idea being floated by Community advocate Rose Wright. Rose wanted to see what could be done for the children in the area.

“As the aim of Scouting is to develop young people socially, physically, intellectually, character, emotionally and spiritually Rose felt this was what was needed in our community and with the help of a few like-minded people, the 9th Westmeath was born.

“In my 25 years of Scouting, I am delighted to say with the help of our volunteers following training from firstly the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland and since 2000 Scouting Ireland, we took hundreds of children to England, Scotland Wales and the Isle of Man, as well as almost every county in Ireland, where they enjoyed camping, canoeing, rafting, gorge walking orienteering, abseiling, hill walking, potholing and much more.

“ I’m thrilled that what we started all those years ago firstly meeting in the primary school in Milltownpass and since 2012 the community centre is still going strong and the Scouting experience lives on in Milltownpass.”