Scouting in Ireland traces its roots to 1908 and the founding of the
Scout Association of Ireland. As it was then part of the
United Kingdom, and later the British Commonwealth, the SAI was affiliated to its British counterpart, the
Scout Association, sharing a common Chief Scout in
Robert Baden-Powell. In 1925 and 1926, Father Ernest Farrell, a curate in
Greystones, County Wicklow began working with a youth programme loosely modelled on the
Scout method. Under the pen-name "Sagart", he wrote a series of articles in Our Boys, a magazine published by the
Christian Brothers, advocating the formation of an official Catholic Scout organisation. This initial group, while more in line with the methods of the
Boys' Brigade was viewed as an effective means of imprinting a Catholic ethos on the young men of Ireland. Father Farrell's brother, Father Tom Farrell, a curate in the Pro-Cathedral gave this fledgeling association the backing of the church and its resources. In 1927 the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland was officially founded, with a constitution drawn up and a headquarters from which the association could be organised, clothed and supplied. At an early stage
John O'Neill, a motor works proprietor and former member of
Seanad Éireann who had been associated with Fr. Ernest's Greystones venture, became Chief Scout. A "national committee", the forerunner of the National Executive Board, was set up. Fr. Tom kept up constant contact with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, and with the
Dominicans,
Franciscans,
Carmelites,
Passionists,
Jesuits,
Capuchins and other religious houses, all of which sponsored CBSI troops in Dublin at a very early period. Scouts assisted during the 1929
Catholic Emancipation Celebrations in
Dublin, directing traffic and treating injured people. They also assisted during the 1932 Eucharistic Congress Celebrations. 1,500 Scouts came to a general camp in Terenure for the week. Some five hundred Scouts assisted in the preparations for the arrival of the Cardinal Legate, for his reception at the Pro-Cathedral and at the garden party held in
Blackrock College. Stewarding was undertaken by teams of Scouts at the mass meeting in the
Phoenix Park, and first-aid posts were also staffed by trained Scouts. On the final Sunday 400 Scouts acted as guards at the High Altar in the Park and at
O'Connell Bridge. In 1934, led by
Cardinal MacRory, Bishop
Patrick Collier and the members of the Executive Board, a pilgrimage was organised to Rome in celebration of the Holy Year. 1200 Scouts sailed from Dublin aboard the liner
RMS Lancastria. They were received in audience by
Pope Pius XI, who inspected missionary outfits presented by the Scouts, examined the Troop Colours, and blessed a copy of the Scout Constitution. During the trip
Sir Martin Melvin, owner of the English Catholic newspaper,
The Universe, presented a trophy, subsequently named in his honour, aboard the
S.S. Lancastria. This trophy was presented each year to the winners of the National Scout Campcraft Competition, the Melvin, which was held each August. Teams of 8 Scouts would compete in a range of different Scout activities. The last competition was held in 2003 at
Mount Melleray Abbey in
Waterford. In 1965, the CBSI formed the
Federation of Irish Scout Associations with the WOSM recognised Scout Association of Ireland. This allowed both associations access to the recognition and resources available through the world association. All Scouts in Ireland were thereafter able to play an active role in International Scouting. In 1967, to celebrate its 40th birthday, the association held a National Camp at
Lismore County Waterford attended by 3,500 Scouts. The Association's Golden Jubilee Year was marked in 1977 by events throughout the country, culminating in an International camp held in the grounds of
Mount Melleray Abbey,
Cappoquin, County Waterford. A
Jamboree, ''
Portumna '85'' was organised in 1985 by all Scouting Associations in Ireland (CBSI, SAI, and NISC) through the Federation of Irish Scout Associations. It was held in
Portumna, County Galway to celebrate
International Youth Year. Jamborees were also subsequently held at Gosford Park, ''
Gosford '89 in 1989 and Ballyfin'' in 1993. In 1998, both the CBSI and the SAI voted to begin discussions to form a single, unified association. When, on 11 May 2003, the National Council of the association voted to form a single body with the second-largest Scout association on the island, it was a major departure in Irish Scouting. While close ties were always maintained with Scouting Ireland S.A.I., a divided approach to promoting Scouting was seen as a substantial impediment to the growth of the movement in Ireland. Its National Headquarters was at
Larch Hill. The CBSI ceased operations in 2003, allowing for the formation of
Scouting Ireland. In May 2020, it was revealed that prior to the 2004 merger with the SAI which formed Scouting Ireland, Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland covered up sex abuse committed by people who served in the organization. In a period spanning decades, both the CBSI and SAI shielded 275 known or suspected predators who abused children after becoming aware of the reported acts of abuse. Scouting Ireland backed the findings of the report and issued an apology. ==Chief Scouts==