The Big Walk - De La Salle Scout Group

The official record of the event held on Sunday 28th August 2005
on the new Waterford City Outer Ring Road.

Above: Members of the 3rd Beavers enjoying the Big Walk.

On Sunday the 28th of August 2005 last, the people of Waterford had a unique opportunity to explore the new Waterford City Outer Ring Road when they took part in "The Big Walk". The event was organised by the De La Salle Scout Group in association with Waterford City Council and saw over 1000 of Waterford’s citizens take part in an official walk of the new road before it opens to traffic in late September 2005.

Above: Signing the official register of the first members of the public to walk the route.

There was an excellent turn out of children and families on the day who enjoyed music from the Barrack Street Concert Band, the De La Salle Scout Pipe Band as well as a number of other local artists. The scout camp kitchen run by Lisa Rea and Sarah Kennedy from the 3rd proved very popular as did the various stalls selling plants and flowers and lots of other goods. There was also an excellent display on scouting activities provided by the Waterford Scout County.

Above: Bro. Columbanus begins the blessing of the dogs.

The blessing of the dogs by Waterford’s Brother Columbanus was also very popular. The register of the first citizens of Waterford to officially walk the route which was taken on the day will shortly be presented to the mayor and the city council for preservation with the city’s historical records.

Above: Ray Smith, chief collector of the Big Walk.

Above: The Barrack Street Concert Band who played an excellent set during the Big Walk.

There was no charge for taking part in the event but all the donations raised on the day are going directly to our Development Fund. The Group is planning to develop a new Scout Centre at a green field site at Gracedieu in the north west suburbs of Waterford City in 2008. Many thousands of young people have taken part in scouting in De La Salle over the years and having celebrated 75 years of service to Waterford City two years ago, the group maintains a very strong vision for its future growth and development. Today, the group consists of two Beaver Colonies, two Macaoimh (Cub Scout) Packs, two Scout Troops, a Venturer Group, as well as the unique De La Salle Scout Pipe Band and caters for over 150 of the city’s youth.

Above: Seamus Ryan from Waterford City Council with members of the Pipe Band during the Big Walk.

Above: Martina Dobbyn and Andrew Fallon from Caulfield's SuperValu at the Hypercentre
in Waterford presenting a cheque to Ciara Power and Colm Ennis from the
De La Salle Scout Group in support of the Big Walk.

The Group would like to express its sincere gratitude to the many businesses and individuals who sponsored the event and supported us in many ways. David Rogers, Group Leader also expressed his thanks to the Big Walk committee led by the tireless Donal Jacob who did an excellent job in organising the event.

The Big Walk - Sunday 28th August 2005 - Gallery