THE Showgrounds, Curraheen will host the All-Ireland scout-craft competition, The Phoenix Challenge this weekend.

900 scouts, over 90 patrols from the 32 counties of Ireland will take part in the event and it will be staffed with over 300 adult scouters. It has been 21 years since Cork last held the All-Ireland competition, which back then was known as the Melvin.

The competition challenges scouts in teamwork, scout skills, initiative and leadership.

The theme of this year’s event is “The day after tomorrow”, scouts are reminded of the part they play in protecting the world’s future by thinking more “green” when it comes to erecting their sites, scouts are asked to use less plastic, become more aware of their carbon footprint when it comes to preparing for the competition and they can be assured that all the challenges they encounter over the weekend will be themed around the environment, bio diversity and the protecting the planet.

The Phoenix Challenge is a four day event where teams of eight scouts represent their local scout troops and must erect and manage a patrol campsite, prepare a weekend log, prepare and cook meals on an open fire, and partake in a number of team challenges where their scout skills will be tested.

Each patrol will be presented with a standard award at the end of the weekend; patrols will earn a Gold, Silver, Bronze or Participation award depending on the result they achieve, with the patrol achieving the most marks winning the Phoenix Challenge Trophy.

Cork City and County will be very represented with the 3rd Cork, St. Patrick’s representing Cois Laoi Chorcai Scout County; 4th Cork, St. Peter & Pauls, 49th Cork, Ballincollig & 37th Cork, Togher representing Lee Valley Scout County; 2nd Cork, Ballypheane, 55th Cork, Carrigaline and the 74th Cork, Frankfiled/ Grange representing Cork South Scouth County; the 98th Cork, Innishannon and 13th Cork, Caherlagh representing West Cork and 67th Cork, Doneraile, 24th Cork, Charleville, Mallow Scout Group and the 18th/19th Cork, Fermoy Scout Group representing North Cork Scout County. Local Scout Leader and City Councillor John Maher said: “It’s great that the event is coming to Cork City, I was a scout, the last time the event was held in Cork City.

The 55th Cork, Carrigaline, all smiles ahead of the national competition.

“It will be special for me as my own troop will field a team but I think it’s important to pay tribute to event organiser Eoin Callanan for making this possible.

“He had the ambition, vision and the work ethic to make this a reality; fair play to him and the team for making this happen. I wish them every success with the event.”

Event organiser Eoin Callanan said: “it’s great to have the Phoenix Challenge competition come to Cork, the team has worked incredibly hard and we are confident that the scouts attending will remember the event for years to come.

“It promises to be a weekend full of fun, adventure, challenge and friendship and I wish all troops participating the very best of luck over the next four days.”