Group Honours Matriarch of Scouting Family

Group Leader of Malahide Sea Scouts Colin Lynch bestowed rare honour of Honorary Life Membership of the Group on Eileen Butterly in recognition of her and her family’s contribution to Scouting in Malahide over many years.

Eileen was a Cub Leader in the Group for 11 years, joining in 1975, and taking over from Anne Greenwood as Cub Scout Leader of the Tuesdaypack 3 years later. What she probably did not know then was that she was the first of many members of her Family to share their skills and knowledge with this Great Group.

All five of her children have been involved in scouts in Malahide. Her Sons Paul Ciaran and John all served as leaders over the years as have her daughters Karen and Joanne. four of whom are still active in the Group today. Sixteen of her Grandchildren are currently members of the Group and eleven of them were present on the night to see their Grandmother receive the award.

Another family affair was the prestigious award of A Gold Merit Award for “leadership of the most inspiring kind”, to long serving Beaver Scout Leader Pat Moyne and A Chief Scouts Commendation for services to Scouting to his Daughter Aoife.

A Silver Merit is awarded for “exceptional & notable service” was presented to Ivan Barrett for leading the Kayaking Team in the Group.

Bronze Merit Awards were made to John Butterly, Niall Rock, Paul McEvoy and James Doyle. Chief Scouts Commendations were presented to Aoife Moyne and Robert McKernan,

Numerous Service Awards were presented by County Commissioner Rosanne Whelan the most outstanding of which was to Group Chairman Kevin Rowan for Forty Years’ Service to the Malahide Group. Fifteen year Service awards were presented to Ivan Barrett Elaine Dunne and Lo Klinkenbergh.Ten year Service awards were presented to Beaver Leader Alice Geraghty and Aideen Abbott.Five year service awards were presented to Beaver Leaders Edward O’Donnell and Colin Lynch. Cub Leaders John Butterly, Niall Rock, Greg Venner, Derek Ennis, Robert McKernan, Leigh Hazzard Joan Desmond and Blaithín McCaffery. Scout Leaders Kate O’Farrell , Clodagh Somers ,John Kenny, Stephen O’Reilly, Rob McGrath and Gerard Duffy.

In conclusion the County Commissioner congratulated all of the recipients of the awards and praised he Group for the contribution that it makes to the young people in the community.