Posted online: Feb 23rd, 2010

The biggest ever gathering of scouts in Inishowen will take place this weekend when over 600 scouts will gather in Buncrana to celebrate Founder’s Day.

The 11th Donegal (Buncrana) scouts will be joined on Sunday afternoon by scouts from throughout Donegal, Derry, Tyrone and Belfast to mark the birth of Baden Powell, founder of the scouting movement.

Alison Clarke, group leader in Buncrana, said the local scouts were honoured to be hosting the event.

She said: “It is a big achievement for us to be hosting this day as we are only in our second year.  Founder’s Day is a big day in our county events and the one that all members are encouraged to attend. We have all sections of our youth gathered together. We also have the added honour of our chief scout being in attendance.”

She added: “In October the cub section hosted a Halloween party for the county and we were delighted at the turnout from all the groups. It is a great opportunity for Buncrana to welcome all beavers, cubs and scouts on the one day and show them what a great town we have and what we have to offer Scouting Ireland.”

Following a parade through the town, led by  Strabane (Melmount) band and followed Buncrana  scout group led by flag bearer Jack Lynn, a church service will be held in St. Mary’s Oratory in the town during which the congregation will be addressed by Chief Scout Michael Shinnick.

The service will conclude with the presentation of the Chief Scout Award, one of the highest awards a young scout can achieve intheir scouting life. Immediately afterwards, beavers, cubs, scout leaders and invited guests will attended a reception being hosted by Crana College.

Scouts attending will come from  Holy Cross Scout group in Belfast, Carndonagh, Quigley’s Point, Muff, Newtowncunningham in Inishowen, and Culmore, St Eugene’s  and Creggan in Derry. New scout group, Manorcunningham, which only opened in September will also attend as will Lifford, Raphoe, Stranorlar, Letterkenny and Stranorlar scout groups.

Sunday’s procession will leave the Leisure Centre on Shore Road at 2.15pm and proceed up Church Street, along St. Mary’s Road to the West End, along Main Street, St. Oran’s Road and St. Mary’s Road to St. Mary’s Oratory.