This was the first 14th Dublin Annual Camp out of Ireland. The trip took place in August 1979 and saw the three Ballyroan Scout Troops 14th, 14th A and 14th B combine. We made special QM Boxes to carry a nest of billies [pots], axes, bushman saws [security would have a nightmare today!] and sisal. As well as the QM Boxes we carried 6 Blacks Islandic 13' Tents [for the Patrols]. Teams were assigned to carry boxes and tents. The journey out was a real trek. We took the ferry from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead and then train to London Euston. There was also a memorable visit to Baden Powell House after which followed a frantic experience across the London Underground. We then got a train to Dover and over to Belgium - Zeebrugge I think. I remember standing on the open car deck with the tents and QM Boxes as the ship sailed out of the harbour into the open English Channel. Then we caught a train through Belgium and on through Cologne, Bonn, Remagen and finally Koblenz. In Koblenz we got a local train to Brexbachtal, the camp site. The Camp itself was fantastic - the local swimming pool with diving boards. The International flavour of the latenight campfires - there was also a troop from Merchant's Quay there too. They brought guitars to the International Campfire and gave a rousing version of Get out you Black and Tans. Mick Walsh was fuming! He felt it was inappropriate with UK Scout Troops present. Mick had this Campfire Blanket covered in Badges he swapped with other Scout Troops at the Jamborora in Ireland in 1977. His campfire performances were something else. It was on this camp we discovered that a Deutschmark was the same size as an old five penny piece. Some of the older lads who smoked were delighted to get packs of 25 cigs [European packs had 25 compared to the Irish 20 pack] for five pence from the vending machines. We also visited Marksburg Castle. Without doubt one of the greatest highlights was the August Rhein Festival in Koblenz. From the Deutsches Eck [meeting of the Mosel and the Rhein] we watched the most spectacular fireworks display we had ever seen. The weather for the Camp was brutal as the storm which wrecked the Fastnet Yacht Race swept across Europe. It was our first experience of a forked lightning storm with a deluge of water. We had to get out of the tents and dig channels to prevent us being washed away. The Icelandics held out the rain which is more that I can say for the leaders' tent [blue one in the pic]. Fr O'Dowd wasn't too impressed with his pyjamas being hoisted on the flag pole. The most serious incident which occured concerned leader Kieron Nolan. He fell asleep while sitting at the campfire while everyone had returned to their tents. Kieron fell forward into the fire and waking suddenly had to push his arm into the flames to save himself. He received awful burns. An English Scout Troop nearby helped with getting Kieron to hospital. With expert care he was back on site a few days later in time for us to return to Ireland. The English Troop made our breakfast the day we left as we had to strike camp the night before in order to be ready for a dawn departing. I suppose for myself Germany was where I discovered my liking for black coffee. I was trying out my German on the canteen staff in Koblenz Hauptbahnhof. Germany was a brilliant experience for all of us young lads from Dublin. In the photo beginning with the bearded Mick Walsh 14thA [top table] and going clockwise ? 14th B, Greg Farrell 14th, Brian O'Neill Fr Gabriel O'Dowd, ? Eamonn O'Neill 14th B, Joe Ganley 14th A, Seamus Kierwan 14th B, Jerry Colfer 14th A and Sean Kierwan 14thB RIP. Missing from the photo is Frank Geoghan, Scout Leader 14th B. To all of the Leaders who gave freely of their time to make the 14th Dublin such a success - Mile Buiochas.

vinThe short dress in views 1, 2 or the top in view 3 with skirt gathered to the bodice above the natural waistline, features patch pockets, set-in sleeves and a back zipper. View 1 & 2, with short ruffle type sleeves, and a square neckline and yokes, features a bodice gathered to stay. View 1 has embroidered eyelet edging. View 3, with a low round neckline, has a short butterfly type sleeves and rick-rack trim. Maker: Simplicity Pattern # 6347 Date of Pattern: 1974 Cost of Original Pattern: $1.00 Size of Pattern: 13/14 Junior Bust: 33.5 Waist: 25 Hip: 36.5 Pattern Envelope: discolored due to age, small tear around top of envelope flap Pattern Instructions: included Pattern Pieces: complete