Castle Saunderson International Scouting Centre

Castle Saunderson International Scouting Centre near Belturbet, County Cavan, Ireland, opened in 2012. It is on the grounds of the castle, the family seat of the Saunderson family. The centre provides indoor accommodation and campsites covering 34acre. It is open to Scouts year round, as well as to non-Scouts for most of the year. HistoryFamily homeThe Saunderson family acquired the original castle during the Ulster plantation. The original castle was inhabited by the O'Reillys of Breffni and formerly known as Breffni Castle since the 14th century. The present castle dating from the 1840s. A notable member of the family born there was Edward Saunderson, a founder of the Ulster Unionist Party. Captain Alexander Saunderson sold the Castle in 1977 to a businessman, who planned to use it as a residence, but this never transpired. It later served as a hotel, but was damaged by fire, the third fire to occur at the Castle. International Scout CentreIn 1997 the castle and its grounds were acquired by Scouting Ireland (CSI). The subsequent formation of Scouting Ireland and financial difficulties had delayed its development, and put the campsite project in doubt. With support from the American Ireland Fund and Cavan County Council, substantial progress occurred with the announcement in November 2008 of EU funding for the project, amounting to over €3 million.

Castle Saunderson International Scouting Centre near Belturbet, County Cavan, Ireland, opened in 2012. It is on the grounds of the castle, the family seat of the Saunderson family. The centre provides indoor accommodation and campsites covering 34acre. It is open to Scouts year round, as well as to non-Scouts for most of the year. HistoryFamily homeThe Saunderson family acquired the original castle during the Ulster plantation. The original castle was inhabited by the O'Reillys of Breffni and formerly known as Breffni Castle since the 14th century. The present castle dating from the 1840s. A notable member of the family born there was Edward Saunderson, a founder of the Ulster Unionist Party. Captain Alexander Saunderson sold the Castle in 1977 to a businessman, who planned to use it as a residence, but this never transpired. It later served as a hotel, but was damaged by fire, the third fire to occur at the Castle. International Scout CentreIn 1997 the castle and its grounds were acquired by Scouting Ireland (CSI). The subsequent formation of Scouting Ireland and financial difficulties had delayed its development, and put the campsite project in doubt. With support from the American Ireland Fund and Cavan County Council, substantial progress occurred with the announcement in November 2008 of EU funding for the project, amounting to over €3 million.