The Mervue Unit was set up in 1978 with 12 members.  

The first major duties consisted of the Galway Races in July

 1978 and the Papal Visit to Galway in September 1979. The

 Unit’s first pilgrimage to Lourdes with the organisation took

 place in May 1979.   

In order to compliment the new Senior Unit, it was decided 

to form a Cadet Unit.  83 children from the parish attended

 the first aid classes and became the first Mervue Cadet Unit. 

The cadets have assisted the senior unit in duties such as

 rugby and community care.   

Trips overseas have included Rome where the cadets met Pope John Paul II in 1988, England for international first aid competitions, 

Germany and Italy to assist duty cover for international events and Lourdes for annual pilgrimages.