Pallaskenry in Limerick was host to the Scouting Ireland Phoenix Challenge over the last few days, with over 600 Scouts from across Ireland competing to be All-Ireland Scouting Champions. The theme for this year’s Phoenix Challenge was “Celebration” – marking 20 years of the competition, which first took place in Pallaskenry in 2005.
The Phoenix Challenge tests Scouts on a wide range of Scouting Skills, including Campcraft, Cooking, Pioneering and First Aid, as well as their teamwork and communication skills. Limerick was represented at the event by five Patrols from Groups across the County. The Patrols have been preparing for this competition throughout the summer following the County Shield, which took place in May of this year.
The Ravens Patrol from the 34th Limerick (Pallaskenry) got a Gold Award (80% to 100% of the available marks), as well as picking up special awards for Environmental Practices and their Logbook.
The Vibe Tribe Patrol from 25th Limerick (Shannon Banks) also received a Gold Award. They also picked up the “Spirit of the Subcamp” award on the Curlews Subcamp.
The Bear Patrol from 45th Limerick (Ahane) received a Silver Award (65% to 79% of the available marks)
The Mustang Patrol from 3rd Limerick (Rathkeale) also received a Silver Award.
Finally, the Muntjac Patrol from 46th Limerick (Ballybricken) also received a Silver Award
The overall winners of the Phoenix Challenge were the 94th Dublin (Walkinstown)
Planning for this year’s Phoenix Challenge started back in August 2024. There were several Adult Scouters from Limerick Scout County involved in the running of the event. This included Michaela Fitzgerald from the 34th Limerick (Pallaskenry), who was one of the two Camp Chiefs for the event. Michaela, along with her co-Camp Chief Shane Cusack, was a former participant on the Phoenix Challenge, so it was fitting that they should head up the event for this year of celebration.
Limerick Scout County Commissioner Phillip Kelly congratulated the five Patrols and their Scouters on their achievements. “They did themselves, their Scout Groups and the County proud. When you think back to our first County Shield after Covid in 2022, we only had four patrols taking part, and this year we had fifteen patrols competing in the County competition, with five Limerick patrols going on to represent the County in the National Competition. It’s a huge sign of how much Scouting in Limerick is growing.”