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Jimmy O’Donnell and his wife Maura with children Aisling, Gráinne, Seán and Ryan at the Scout Hall on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
HE has been in the scouts almost all his life and on Saturday, a Tralee man was honoured for his service to the organisation.
Jimmy O’Donnell from Cahills Park went down to the Scout Hall off Matt Talbot Road, on the pretence of an investiture ceremony for a scout.
However, when Jimmy entered the hall and was faced with a scouts guard of honour, it became apparent it was all a ruse for a celebration to mark his 40 years as an adult scout leader.
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As well as members of the current 1st Kerry Scouts Unit, many friends and former scouts who had Jimmy as their leader, were present to wish him well. The County Commissioner, Anne Daly, presented Jimmy with a special pin to mark the milestone.
Jimmy said the occasion was unexpected and a nice surprise. “When I walked in I said ‘well there’s something else going on here!’ I suppose I spent years organising events like this for other people, but obviously someone else did it this time!”
Jimmy, who is originally from Strand Road, said he started in scouting at the age of eight. “When I started first, the scouts met in Ballymullen Barracks, then we moved up to Balloonagh in St Joseph’s school building and we were in other halls on a temporary business before our current home here.”
“Other people are into football and sport but scouting is my thing,” said Jimmy, who served as county commissioner for a period and was also involved in committees at national level.
Scouting was also responsible for Jimmy meeting his wife, Maura, who was a leader with Listowel scouts and romance flourished.
Maura and Jimmy’s four children are all scouts, with daughter Aisling receiving a pin for 10 years as a scout leader on Saturday. Ryan has turned 18 and is now a leader, Sean is 15 and a venturer, while 12 year-old Grainne has just moved into the scouts from being a cub.
So in the future it looks like there will be many more ceremonies like this for the O’Donnell family. Scroll down for photos…
Jimmy O’Donnell arriving at the Scout Hall for his surprise celebration on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Jimmy O’Donnell with his fellow scouts at the celebration to mark 40 years as a scout leader at the Scout Hall on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Martin and Frances Thompson, Damien Ginty and Norma Foley at the Scout Hall on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Jimmy O’Donnell receiving the appreciation of the scouts at his surprise celebration on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry Scouts County Commissioner Anne Daly making a presentation to Jimmy O’Connell who is 40 years a scout leader. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry Scouts County Commissioner Anne Daly making a presentation to Aisling Sweeney for 10 years as a scout leader with her dad Jimmy O’Connell who is 40 years a scout leader. Photo by Dermot Crean
Gráinne O’Donnell making a presentation to her dad Jimmy who celebrates 40 years as a scout leader. Photo by Dermot Crean
