On 11th November 1987, the first meeting of the Irish Girl Guides took place in Fethard. Following that meeting, two Brownie Packs, one Girl Guide Company and a Ranger/Young Leader group were formed in the town.
On 15th March 1988, the first enrolment took place with 21 Brownies, 14 Guides 10 Rangers and 8 Adult Leaders being enrolled by Sandra Wallace, Brown Owl, Cashel, Petranella Clifton-Brown, Area Commissioner, Cashel and Pat Snow, Regional Development Officer, Limerick.
The Adult Leaders were: Girl Guides: Judy Doyle, Captain, Christine Nevin, Lieutenant. Trinity Brownie Pack: Sue Burke, Brown Owl, Joan Croke, Tawney Owl. Abbey Brownie Pack: Elizabeth McCormack, Brown Owl, Martha Sheehan, Tawney Owl. Jenny Fogarty, was Leader of eight Rangers and Sandra Stewart had eight young Leaders.
The Fethard District took possession of their own I.G.G. Flag the same year and most of the groups involved with guiding were away for either a weekend in a Guide Cottage or camping out of doors for a week.
In 1989 six of the guides spent a week in July at regional camp in Kilcooley. 1990 saw the start of the Ladybirds in Fethard. This unit caters for children aged 5 to 7 1/2 and meets every Monday evening at 3.30 p.m. in the Town Hall. To cater for any additional entrants more help is required.
The Brownie meetings are on Wednesdays at 3.30. This unit enjoys country walks, crafts, singing and games.
Guides meet on Tuesday evenings at 7.15 p.m.and games, walks, crafts and badge-work are just some of the activities.
On February 21st, which is the birthday of Lord and Lady Baden Powell, we celebrated "Thinking Day". Fethard hosted the Area Thinking Day Ceremony in the Ballroom, It involved some special activities and a service in which the majority of the children took part. We were joined by Guides from Thurles, Killenaule, Cashel and Two-Mile-Borris.
Our Regional Camp was held in Portumna this year.
Our Ladybird Guides went to Parsons Green , Clogheen, in May for their Ladybird Day, enjoying all the facilities there, while making new friends with Ladybird Guides from neighbouring towns.
The Brownies had a Brownie Revels in Fethard in June. They were joined by Brownies from Thurles, Killenaule, Cashel and Two-Mile-Borris.
In February, we sold Guiding Pins, well done to the Guides who sold so many. A Table Quiz was held in November and funds were raised to assist the weekly running of the Guide units.
In November, the Ladybird Guides, Brownie Guides and Guides participated in a Gang Show in Thurles to celebrate the 25th Birthday of the Mid-West Region, all the girls took part in the entertainment.
To run the Girl Guide Units properly, at least three adults per unit are essential. This means that at least two can be there every week. If you are interested in guiding or would like to get involved with any of the units contact any of the leaders. They would be delighted to hear from you.
Guides: Sandra Stewart (district commissioner), Judy Doyle (guide captain), Theresa Hurley (assistant guider). Brownies: Mary Maher (leader), Catherine O'Connell (brown owl), Frances Ryan (tawney owl). Ladybirds: Susan O'Meara & Theresa O'Brien (ladybird guiders).
Contact: Mrs. Sandra Stewart, Knockbordan, Fethard. 052 31842
The aims of the Irish Girl Guides are:
a) To give girls the opportunity for self training in the development of character and service for others, based on spiritual and moral values according to the principles embodied in the promise and law as laid down by the founder, the first Lord Baden Powell of Gilwell.
b) To foster a love of country and to promote a full sense of citizenship by developing an interest in home craft, health, social service, love of nature and traditional arts and customs.
c) To encourage international goodwill and understanding by establishing friendly contact with girls of other nations and by taking part in world guiding activities as a full member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
The Irish Girl Guides is a voluntary self governing association. It is a national movement since 1930 and membership is open to all girls between the ages of 5 to 21 years. The movement is strictly non political.
There is a General Council responsible for the control and supervision of the movement and an Executive Committee, appointed by the General Council, with the power to implement the policy.
The Irish Girl Guides is open to girls of every faith and the religious needs of all are respected. Through guiding, girls are helped and encouraged to deepen their religious faith.
