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Larch Hill: Difference between revisions
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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 Rome, and a 500 pound donation from the | 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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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 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]] | 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. | ||