Errigal Scout County Commissioner, Dessie Taylor with some of the newly Invested leaders from the recently formed Gweedore Scout Group at their Investirue evening. Included are Fiona O’Reilly, Ray Fallon, Grainne Hoolway, Pearse Doherty, Roisin Doherty (Group Leader), David Holloway, Garth Doherty and Amanda Doherty.
He’s more used to political jousting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny across the floor of Dail Eireann.
But Sinn Fein Deputy Pearse Doherty equipped himself with more skills this week when he was made a leader with Ireland’s newest Scout Group.
The well-known politician was among a group of adults and young people who took part in the investiture of the 22nd Donegal (Ghaoth Dobhair) scout group.
22nd Donegal (Gweedore) Group Leader Roisin Doherty with sons Padraig and Colm and husband Pearse at the newly formed groups inaugeral Investiture evening.
The group is the first all Irish-speaking group to be formed in a Gaeltach area since the formation of Scouting Ireland in 2004.
Pearse revealed it was his wife Roisin and another parent who first came up with the idea of Ghaoth Dobhair’s scouting group.
“Roisin and another parent David Holloway were putting up flags on lampposts in the area before Donegal were playing in the All-Ireland GAA final in 2012.
“Roisin remarked that it would be great to have some scouts in the area who could help put up the flags.
“The next day they had a meeting and they spent the next year getting the group of the ground,” revealed Pearse.
This week 64 young people and up to 20 adults took part in the investiture of the group at Ghaoth Dobhair GAA club.
Pearse, who is an associate scout leader, says his only gripe is that he didn’t get involved with the scouts earlier.
22nd Donegal (Gweedore) Beaver Scouts with their leaders including Group Leader Roisin Doherty and Dinny McGinley TD, at their inaugeral Investiture evening.
“I was never into football and I wasn’t very athletic. I just wish there had have ben a scout group in the area at the time.
“I would encourage any young person to get involved in the scouting movement. IT is non-competitive and it brings out the best in young people.
“Not only does it equip them with so many life-skills, but it also helps them meet other people and it develops their character.
“I would certainly recommend it to any young person or adult for that matter,” he said.
22nd Donegal (Gweedore) Cub Scouts with their leaders including Group Leader Roisin Doherty at their inaugeral Investiture evening.
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