The Catholic Guides of Ireland (Bantreoraithe Catoilicí na hÉireann in Irish

Irish language

Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...

) is one of the two Guiding organisations in the Republic of Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

. It has members in both the Republic of Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

 and Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...

. Catholic Guides of Ireland began in 1928 and thus in 2003 celebrated 75 years of Guiding in Ireland. Together with the Irish Girl Guides

Irish Girl Guides

The Irish Girl Guides is a Girl Guides organisation in the Republic of Ireland.Together with the Catholic Guides of Ireland, it forms the Council of Irish Guiding Associations...

 it forms the Council of Irish Guiding Associations

Council of Irish Guiding Associations

The Council of Irish Guiding Associations is the national Guiding federation of the Republic of Ireland. Guiding in Ireland started in 1911 and became a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 1932...

.

In total three Guide associations operating on the island of Ireland. The other two are Irish Girl Guides (IGG) and Girlguiding Ulster

Girlguiding Ulster

Girlguiding Ulster is one of the nine regions of Girlguiding UK. Its headquarters are at Lorne House, County Down. In 2006, there were approximately 500 units across Northern Ireland.In 1974, the Guides' headquarters in Belfast were burned down.-Lorne:...

, part of Girlguiding UK

Girlguiding UK

Girlguiding UK is the national Guiding organisation of the United Kingdom. Guiding began in the UK in 1910 after Robert Baden-Powell asked his sister Agnes to start a group especially for girls that would be run along similar lines to Scouting for Boys. The Guide Association was a founder member of...

.

Memberships

The Catholic Guides of Ireland is a member of the Council of Irish Guiding Associations

Council of Irish Guiding Associations

The Council of Irish Guiding Associations is the national Guiding federation of the Republic of Ireland. Guiding in Ireland started in 1911 and became a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 1932...

, the national Guiding

Girl Guides

A Guide, Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Scouts. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian...

 federation of Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

. Through this council, it is a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is a global association supporting the female-oriented and female-only Scouting organizations in 145 countries. It was established in 1928 and has its headquarters in London, England. It is the counterpart of the World Organization of the Scout...

. The council serves 13,806 Guides (as of 2003).

Age Groups

The Catholic Guides of Ireland divides its members into the following age groups: Cygnet Guides, Brigin Guides, Guides, Rangers and adult volunteers.

Cygnet Guides

Cygnet Guides are between 5 and 7 years old. Elements of their Law spell out the word Cygnet thus:

Cares and Shares
Young and Special
Loves God
Is always Neat
Enjoys herself
Tries to be good

Brigin Guides

Girls are Brigin Guides starting at 6 or 7 until 10 years old. There are three levels: bronze, silver and gold. Each level is accomplished by fulfilling 19 challenges. Brigin Guides can also earn interest badges.

External links

• http://www.girlguidesireland.ie Official Website
• Photos of 75 years Catholic Girl Guides in Ireland
• http://www.templeogueguides.org Templeogue Guides, Dublin