Michael John Shinnick

Many of us will know Michael John Shinnick as a director of the local indigenous Chemical Company, Micro Bio Ireland.  We know he lives in Glanworth with his wife Marian and has two daughters Aoife and Emma.

But there is more to Michael John.

A native of Fermoy, he grew up in Clancy Street Fermoy, where he attended school with the Presentation Nuns and later the Christian Brothers.

He played soccer for Fermoy and was secretary of the club for four years.

He was one of the first members of Fermoy 18th Scouts, when Pat Bartley founded them in 1967.  Just five years later, when he was an assistant scout leader, Fermoy 18th won the prestigious Melvin Trophy, the All Ireland Scout Competition.

Scouting Ireland is now an All Ireland organization that includes both boys and girls.  Michael John has served in many positions within Scouting Ireland. 

In 1992 he founded the 105th Glanworth.  In 1999, he reopened the 82nd Buttevant after a closure of 8 years.  Two years later, in 2001, he re-opened the 67th Doneraile after a closure of 10 years and in 2009 he was appointed Chief Scout, Scouting Ireland in Newcastle, Co. Down.

In the past number of years, membership of Scouting Ireland has seen steady growth in numbers of about 9% annually.  The importance of Scouting Ireland for the development of character, friendship and leadership on the island of Ireland cannot be overstated; building bridges between the youth of North and South.

Michael John Shinnick has played a great part in this development and it is for this reason that we are proud to announce that Michael John Shinnick has accepted the role of Grand Marshal for the 2011 Fermoy St. Patrick’s Day Parade.