NEARLY 10 years ago a group of scouters from around the county decided to purchase a 14-acre site in Ruan with the intention of developing an all-purpose scout centre. A beautiful spot on the edge of the Burren, the site had everything; the only problem was money to bring the project to fruition.

The plans made provision for a camping area, a shower and toilet block, a campfire area and eventually a house. Grandiose ideas but at a cost that pushed out the boundaries and the capabilities of the scouting movement in Clare to finance the development.
Over the years, work has progressed, sometimes at a snail’s pace, with cash flow – or sometimes trickle – dictating the pace of the work carried out.
Camp chief Noel Keaney explained. “as we do not receive any government funding, all monies were raised by fundraising and we are very grateful to Seamus Bane of VEC and to Scouting Ireland for the grants we received. By this year, the camping area, the campfire and the shower block were up and running”.
But still no funds for the centre piece building. That was until Bank of Ireland in Shannon stepped into the breach and donated a modular building that has a life expectancy in excess of 40 years.
“Our hope was that we would have a house on site for youth activities, meetings and adult and youth training. This dream came true one April morning when Kathleen Markham, a Bank of Ireland employee, approached one of our scouters saying that a modular building at the bank was going to become available to some voluntary group.
“We made our application, put all necessary plans in place and waited with bated breath. The following week, Mick Moore, manager of the Bank of Ireland in Shannon Industrial Estate, rang to say that the Ruan Scout Centre was to be the beneficiary of the building. With the expertise and help of Anthony O’Donovan and his team at Masterkabin we now have a wonderful building on site,” Noel explained.
“This is a dream come true for all involved in the Ruan development. This wonderful donation has brought the project forward by 10 years and will extend the scout centre to an all year round facility,” he added.
The modular building was purchased by Bank of Ireland two years ago at a cost of €180,000 to provide temporary office accommodation at its Shannon branch, while waiting for planning approval and subsequent construction of an extension to the premises.
Manager Mick Moore said that the bank decided to gift the modular building to a local club or community project and invited applications. Following a detailed assessment of all applicants, it was decided that the Ruan Scout Centre was worthy of the gift on the basis of the wide range of activities it provides for young children.
“Having now seen first hand the tremendous work undertaken at the Ruan centre and the great sense of pride and achievement of all involved from committee members to the parents and particularly the children, Bank of Ireland is absolutely delighted to play its part in the next critical stage in the centre’s development,” he said.
At present there are eight scout groups operating within the county and these groups cater for over 750 youth members, ranging in age from six to 20, while 200 adults are also involved. With the installation of the building, beavers, cubs, scouts and venturers will be able to use the centre all year round.
“Of course, this centre is open to all scout troops and youth groups from all over Ireland and abroad. We had a large French group of scouts camping here last year. With the help of Damien O’Sullivan, support officer, campsites and facilities of Scouting Ireland, Ruan Scout Centre will now be promoted to a much wider number of youth groups,” Noel emphasised.
Speakers at Sunday’s handing over ceremony were Noel Keaney, camp chief; Brian Webster, provincial commissioner; Damien O’Sullivan, support officer campsites and Mick Moore, manager Bank of Ireland Shannon.