Scouting and Guiding in Ireland began six months after Baden Powell founded the first Scouts' association near the Isle of Wight, England.[1]
The first Scouting groups in Ireland were founded in Dublin and Dundalk. These were both established near British Army bases which resulted in Catholic boys not joining these groups. A Catholic Scouting group was set up by Tom Farrell, a curate, in 1927.[1]