Overview
It was purchased in 1937 and has gone on to become one of the main hubs of European Scout camping. The estate has been revitalised in recent years with the creation of Scouting Ireland in 2004. The architecturally unique headquarters building remains the focal point of Larch Hill. At 226 metres above sea level, the site consists of camping fields, a small hostel, conference facilities (in the Millennium Room), hiking trails, a nature centre, a Beaver Scout playground, a (currently derelict) swimming pool and a large campfire circle.
Larch Hill is so called as it is reputed that it was the site of the first ever planting of the European Larch species in Ireland.
The warden staff of the site, or the Meitheal, are voluntary members of Scouting Ireland and wear an orange neckerchief with the Larch symbol. They were also entitled (under Scouting Ireland (CSI)) to wear unique orange epaulettes. At 2011, the centre's manager is James Usher.
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