When Robert Baden-Powell publsihed “Scouting for Boys” in January 1908, boys all over Britain and Ireland began to meet in “Patrols” to try out the various activities. B-P never intended to start a new separate Movement; rather it was the boys of the world who started Scouting, as we know it today. There were Scouts in Ireland witthin a couple of weeks of the appearance of the first Scouts in Britain and it is a fact that the beginnings here in Ireland were virtaully contempoaneous with those in Britain; several Dublin and Belfast Troops and one each in Bray and Dundalk were amongst the earliest to be formed anywhere in the world.
In the autumn of 1908 there was a rally of 800 Scouts in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Inter-denominational Scouting evolved through several names before becoming the Boy Scouts of Ireland in 1949. In preperation for girls joining the association the name was changed to the Scout Association of Ireland in 1968.
Meanwhile, in the late 1920’s, Frs. Tom and Earnest Farrell, examined the development of Scout associations in Europe, particurlarly the Scouts de France. They considered Scouting to be a very valuable tool for the development of young Irish catholic boys. In 1927, following Episcopial approval, they founded the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland which subsequently became the largest Scout Association on the island.
As Ireland and Scouting developed, both associations, having far more commonalities than differences, agreed in 1965 to establish the Federation of Irish Scout Associations (FISA). The formation of FISA allowed both associations to be full and active members of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement through FISA.
Having worked together for over thirty-five years both associations agreed in 1988 to the objective of establishing a new single association. In the years preceding, the two associations took the names Scouting Ireland S.A.I. and Scouting Ireland (CSI) respectively. With the acceptance of the Constitution the membership of both associations Scouting Ireland SAI. and Scouting Ireland (CSI) joined together and became the first members of Scouting Ireland.
In moving forward as one we seek to positive leadership in the community; to present a single, modern and relevant image; to revise what we offer to young people and adults; to bring about improvements based on the strength of both traditions; and to make the most efficient use of resourses to provide Scouting in Ireland.
Taken from One Programme Scouter Handbook pg. 59. Published 2010