Delvin Scouts Visit Mullingar Barracks

The group were lucky to be afforded the chance to visit Columb Barracks, Mullingar on Saturday 17th of July. Approximately fifty scouts took part in the visit which was made possible by Sgt. Major O’Callaghan.

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts arrived in barracks at 1.00p.m. and as the group became familiar with their surroundings, Sgt Dinnegan made his way to the square. It was at this point the scouts were introduced to the skills of a drill sergeant.

Following a brief introduction to the orders in Irish, the group were marched by the sergeant to the barrack gym. Once in the gym, the group met with Gnr Anderson and Gnr Hennessy who were standing over some very impressive weapons at which all eyes were immediately attracted to. Nevertheless it was not going to be a day of simple demonstration instead Sergeant Dinnegan directed that they should focus on the climbing wall at the end of the gym, this he declared would be their challenge for the afternoon.

Sgt Dinnegan then informed those, whose mouths were by now firmly in the open position, about the history of the wall and how it had been the starting point for a number of climbers who subsequently went on to conquer Mount Everest. During the next three hours the group were put through their paces, harnessing up and ascending the wall. There was little problem as all succeeded in scaling the wall and quickly got the hang of abseiling down. Once they proved themselves the scouts swiftly made their way towards the weapons on display and it did not take long before they were building gun positions much to the surprise of the soldiers looking on.

All were in agreement that this was a fantastic afternoon and once again the group wish to extend their special thanks to Lt. Col Armstrong for allowing us visit the barracks, Sgt. Major O’Callaghan for organising the event, Sgt. Dinnegan for his patience and ensuring we all got up and down safely and Gnrs Anderson and Hennesy for their friendliness towards the kids throughout the afternoon.

Submitted by the 3rd Westmeath Delvin Scout Group

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