A collection of log books of photographs, programmes and tasks documented by Brian Fanning over a 26-year period have been donated to the Waterford City and County Archives as part of National Heritage Week 2025
Brian Fanning pictured with Waterford Mayor Cllr Séamus Ryan
National Heritage Week 2025 has been a time of deep reconnection with local history and celebrating the roots that shaped localities across Ireland in countless ways.
As part of this year’s event, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Séamus Ryan welcomed the donation of log books from Waterford Scouts County to Waterford City and County Archives with an event held at Waterford Central Library in Lady Lane.
The log books date from 1999 and provide a great record of a plethora of scouting groups in Waterford as it showcased members from beavers to venture scouts and beyond, sharing a timeline for when and how they all developed their skills and talents.
Moreover, the logs allow for memories to be shared and stories to recall about the fun these scouts had out and about in Waterford on their various adventures.
The log books are detailed and contain photographs, programmes and tasks documented to give a great view of the history of the scout groups in Waterford from Dungarvan to Waterford City and of all of those who volunteered with the Scouts.
The log books serve not only as a testament to Waterford County Scouting but also to the commitment and passion for Waterford Scouting of Brian Fanning, who has been collating and documenting Waterford County Scouting in these log books for more than 20 years.
Among those in attendance at the event were Chief Scout of Ireland, Eoin Callanan and Waterford County Commissioner, Seán Hayes along with a significant showing of scouts from across the county all of whom gladly took the opportunity to thank Brian Fanning for his work in showcasing their contributions to scouting and preserving their scouting legacies.
The original log books have been donated to Waterford City and County Archives in addition to printed sets of volumes for the public to view.
The volumes were printed with the support of a number of sponsors and supporters including Waterford Credit Union, Lisduggan Credit Union, Waterford Courts Service and Mediforce.
Other sponsors and supporters include Doyle Concrete, RTS Heating and Cooling systems, the Butler Family, the Collins Family, 15th/25th Waterford Sacred Heart Scout Group, 17th/20th/30th Waterford St Pauls Scout Group, AM Construction, Architect Sean Hayes, Waterford Scout County and Walsh Butler Electrics. The volumes were printed by DVF Print and Graphic Solutions and bound by Thomas Carroll.