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Larch Hill: Difference between revisions
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Very little is known about the ownership from the 1870s until early the last century. During the years 1914 to 1918 it is known that Larch Hill became a military [[sanatorium]], and was possibly used by soldiers affected by [[mustard gas]], used during the First World War, to convalesce. | Very little is known about the ownership from the 1870s until early the last century. During the years 1914 to 1918 it is known that Larch Hill became a military [[sanatorium]], and was possibly used by soldiers affected by [[mustard gas]], used during the First World War, to convalesce. | ||
The period 1918 to 1937 is also sketchy, however Sean Innes, the former warden, whose family occupied the now demolished Gate Lodge during this period, remembered that an American gentleman lived in Larch Hill with his mother during this period. In the period just pre-ceding the purchase of the estate by [[Scouting Ireland (CSI)|CBSI]] in 1937 a Dublin businessman and | The period 1918 to 1937 is also sketchy, however Sean Innes, the former warden, whose family occupied the now demolished Gate Lodge during this period, remembered that an American gentleman lived in Larch Hill with his mother during this period. In the period just pre-ceding the purchase of the estate by [[Scouting Ireland (CSI)|CBSI]] in 1937 a Dublin businessman and bookmaker, John Coffey, owned the estate, however he found himself in financial difficulties, and the bank sequestered the estate. His father William was Lord Mayor of Dublin, [[Alderman]] and High-Sheriff. | ||
== Link with Scouting == | == Link with Scouting == | ||
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In 1937 Prof. J.B.Whelehan, the then Chief Scout, together with the National Executive Board ([[Scouting Ireland (CSI)]]), decided to purchase a campsite . Many venues were suggested, but eventually two options remained. One was Santry Demesne, part of which is now the athletics stadium, near [[Dublin Airport]], and the other was Larch Hill. The decision fell to the casting vote of Prof. Whelehan, whose foresight saw that the Santry site would become part of the city far more quickly than its southside counterpart. | In 1937 Prof. J.B.Whelehan, the then Chief Scout, together with the National Executive Board ([[Scouting Ireland (CSI)]]), decided to purchase a campsite . Many venues were suggested, but eventually two options remained. One was Santry Demesne, part of which is now the athletics stadium, near [[Dublin Airport]], and the other was Larch Hill. The decision fell to the casting vote of Prof. Whelehan, whose foresight saw that the Santry site would become part of the city far more quickly than its southside counterpart. | ||
The funding for the purchase of Larch Hill came from the 3,000 pounds profit the association made from non-Scout fares on the 1934 [[pilgrimage]] to | The funding for the purchase of Larch Hill came from the 3,000 pounds profit the association made from non-Scout fares on the 1934 [[pilgrimage]] to Rome, and a 500 pound donation from the Knights of Columbanus. <ref>Gaughan, Fr. J Anthony. "Scouting in Ireland." Kingdom Books. 2006. ISBN 0-9524567-2-9 </ref> | ||
Larch Hill officially opened as a campsite on [[June 4]], [[1938]]. An outdoor mass was celebrated in the garden area by Fr. Leo Mc Cann C.C., and was attended by over 400 scouts from the Dublin Diocese (which received considerable support around this time from [[John Charles McQuaid]]) who where participating in the inaugural camp over the Whit weekend. | Larch Hill officially opened as a campsite on [[June 4]], [[1938]]. An outdoor mass was celebrated in the garden area by Fr. Leo Mc Cann C.C., and was attended by over 400 scouts from the Dublin Diocese (which received considerable support around this time from [[John Charles McQuaid]]) who where participating in the inaugural camp over the Whit weekend. | ||
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'''Potato Field''' is named for the ridges of long forgotten cultivation that are still visible, sometimes called "lazy beds". | '''Potato Field''' is named for the ridges of long forgotten cultivation that are still visible, sometimes called "lazy beds". | ||
'''Melvin Field''' is so called to commemorate the Melvin trophy which was the national [[Scoutcraft]] competition of the association (now the [[Scouting Ireland Scouts|Phoenix Patrol Challenge]]). This trophy was presented to the association during the [[Scouting Ireland (CSI)|CBSI]] [[pilgrimage]] to | '''Melvin Field''' is so called to commemorate the Melvin trophy which was the national [[Scoutcraft]] competition of the association (now the [[Scouting Ireland Scouts|Phoenix Patrol Challenge]]). This trophy was presented to the association during the [[Scouting Ireland (CSI)|CBSI]] [[pilgrimage]] to Rome during the Holy Year of [[1934]] by Lord Melvin. The profits made from this journey are believed to have provided the capital that enabled the purchase of Larch Hill, under the then Chief Scout Prof. JB Whelehan. | ||
The '''Training Field''' was so called because it was the site of many of the early leader training ([[Wood Badge]]) courses. In the late 50s and early 60s an élite group of leaders formed a troop called the 1st Larch Hill (note the similarity with the 1st [[Gilwell Park]]) which wore a grey [[neckerchief]] and acted as a proto-National Training Team. Members included PJ Killackey (who went on to become National Director of Camping), Con Twomey, Seamus Durkan, Fr. Aengus [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|OFM Cap]] and Patrick Bradley of the 37th Cork (who led the only troop ever to win 4 consecutive Melvin trophies). They conducted courses instructing leaders in the methods and aims of Catholic Scouting. The first Training Course took place on [[September 8]], [[1956]]. <ref>Gaughan, Fr. J Anthony. "Scouting in Ireland." Kingdom Books. 2006. ISBN 0-9524567-2-9 </ref> | The '''Training Field''' was so called because it was the site of many of the early leader training ([[Wood Badge]]) courses. In the late 50s and early 60s an élite group of leaders formed a troop called the 1st Larch Hill (note the similarity with the 1st [[Gilwell Park]]) which wore a grey [[neckerchief]] and acted as a proto-National Training Team. Members included PJ Killackey (who went on to become National Director of Camping), Con Twomey, Seamus Durkan, Fr. Aengus [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|OFM Cap]] and Patrick Bradley of the 37th Cork (who led the only troop ever to win 4 consecutive Melvin trophies). They conducted courses instructing leaders in the methods and aims of Catholic Scouting. The first Training Course took place on [[September 8]], [[1956]]. <ref>Gaughan, Fr. J Anthony. "Scouting in Ireland." Kingdom Books. 2006. ISBN 0-9524567-2-9 </ref> | ||
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The present car park would have been the [[stable]] and farmyard in the 1800s, and contained stables and outhouses, the remains of the foundations of these buildings can be seen adjacent to the existing toilet block. | The present car park would have been the [[stable]] and farmyard in the 1800s, and contained stables and outhouses, the remains of the foundations of these buildings can be seen adjacent to the existing toilet block. | ||
The '''Mass Lawn''' area was originally a tennis court and is referred to as such by the locals. The [[altar]] on the mass lawn was constructed from the | The '''Mass Lawn''' area was originally a tennis court and is referred to as such by the locals. The [[altar]] on the mass lawn was constructed from the granite steps that led to the front door of the original house. The house was demolished in the 1970s following the completion of the existing hostel in 1972. President [[Éamon de Valera]] performed the opening ceremony for the new hostel. The existing main entrance is not in fact the original entrance. That entrance to the estate was some 20 yards inwards and the old gateposts can still be seen. | ||
The '''Ice-House''' (bunker like building) on the lower avenue was the original "refrigerator" for the old manor house. The river would have been blocked during the winter and blocks of ice cut and placed in the pit at the end of the building. Food was then stored in layers of straw, and the building sealed up. The building was accessed during summer by way of a hatch in the roof of the building. | The '''Ice-House''' (bunker like building) on the lower avenue was the original "refrigerator" for the old manor house. The river would have been blocked during the winter and blocks of ice cut and placed in the pit at the end of the building. Food was then stored in layers of straw, and the building sealed up. The building was accessed during summer by way of a hatch in the roof of the building. | ||
[[Image:46104.jpg|thumb|dolmen at Larch Hill]] | [[Image:46104.jpg|thumb|dolmen at Larch Hill]] | ||
The [[dolmen]] or cromlech is one of three that can be found in the vicinity, the others being on Tibradden Mountain and at Mount Venus. A [[dolmen]] was a royal burial plot and is made up of two upright | The [[dolmen]] or cromlech is one of three that can be found in the vicinity, the others being on Tibradden Mountain and at Mount Venus. A [[dolmen]] was a royal burial plot and is made up of two upright granite blocks supporting a third crossways (here it has slipped out of place) and backed by a solid upright some ten feet high. The [[dolmen]] is sometimes referred to by locals as "the druids altar" or the "druids seat". An inner ring of partially submerged boulders and an outer ring of sycamore trees surround the whole feature. It is uncertain if the dolmen was ever actually completed, or whether it once stood and the top stone slipped. Some experts credit an earthquake recorded in the area in the 1800s with dislodging the stones from all the dolmens in the area. The dolmen which is a [[megalithic]] tomb is also linked to the "Battle of Kilmashogue" involving Irish Chieftains and Danish marauders. This battle is recorded in the "Annals of the Four Masters" and happened in 916 AD. It is said that the Danes were defeated in this battle, however, King Niall Glin was killed in the battle. Interestingly the river that flows through Larch Hill is called the river Glin. | ||
At the entrance to the '''Crow's Nest''' field is a great depression which is the venue of one of the earliest [[Boy Scout|Scout]] attempts to provide a swimming pool at Larch Hill. This area rejoices in the name "Matthews's Folly", so called after the then Director the campsite Mr. Nicholas Matthews, who undertook the ill-fated venture, which was undertaken during the 1940s. | At the entrance to the '''Crow's Nest''' field is a great depression which is the venue of one of the earliest [[Boy Scout|Scout]] attempts to provide a swimming pool at Larch Hill. This area rejoices in the name "Matthews's Folly", so called after the then Director the campsite Mr. Nicholas Matthews, who undertook the ill-fated venture, which was undertaken during the 1940s. | ||
The pool that exists on the river Glin, which is a [[tributary]] of the Little Dargle, at the lower end of the estate, was built under the directorship of Paudge O'Broin, and was a much better and more enduring effort, though it is also now abandoned. The river Glin comes from the [[valley]] between Kilmashogue and Tibradden Mountains, this valley is known as '''Kelly's Glen'''. During the 1800s residents of Dublin would travel to the glen to sample the waters, which were reputed to have a strong mineral content, at a [[destination spa|spa]] which was situated in the upper part of the | The pool that exists on the river Glin, which is a [[tributary]] of the Little Dargle, at the lower end of the estate, was built under the directorship of Paudge O'Broin, and was a much better and more enduring effort, though it is also now abandoned. The river Glin comes from the [[valley]] between Kilmashogue and Tibradden Mountains, this valley is known as '''Kelly's Glen'''. During the 1800s residents of Dublin would travel to the glen to sample the waters, which were reputed to have a strong mineral content, at a [[destination spa|spa]] which was situated in the upper part of the glen. | ||
== Inhabitants, traditions and novelties == | == Inhabitants, traditions and novelties == | ||
Among the many inhabitants of the extensive estate are [[badger]]s, | Among the many inhabitants of the extensive estate are [[badger]]s, squirrels and deer. The Whit weekend is traditionally a busy time of year at Larch Hill as [[Dublin Metropolitan Province|Scouts]] from Dublin and surrounding areas make an almost [[pilgrimage]]-like escape to the national campsite. The aforementioned bookmaker John Coffey kept racehorses on the site, the most famous of which was named "Fast Pam". It is believed that "Fast Pam" is buried near the [[campfire]] circle. | ||
[[Image:Scouting Ireland national logo.png|thumb|National Logo of Scouting Ireland]] | [[Image:Scouting Ireland national logo.png|thumb|National Logo of Scouting Ireland]] | ||
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The proximity to the [[Dublin Mountains]] and indeed the [[Wicklow Mountains]] allow Scouts the chance to explore some of Ireland's most scenic hike routes, including the [[Wicklow Way]], the monastery of [[St. Kevin]] at [[Glendalough]] and many other attractions. | The proximity to the [[Dublin Mountains]] and indeed the [[Wicklow Mountains]] allow Scouts the chance to explore some of Ireland's most scenic hike routes, including the [[Wicklow Way]], the monastery of [[St. Kevin]] at [[Glendalough]] and many other attractions. | ||
The extensive | The extensive forest is perfect for [[bivouacking]] during the Summer months. The forest in the North Eastern corner of the site beneifts from a canopy of [[Norway Spruce]] trees while the Southern most wooded area is populated by robust Sycamores, [[Elm]]s and [[Larch]]es which provide the necessary shelter for survival camping. | ||
== Ties with local Scout Troops == | == Ties with local Scout Troops == | ||