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“I don’t know what I would do without it.”
Sometimes the simplest words say the most.
For 115 years, Irish Girl Guides has been a place where girls across Ireland grow into confident, capable, and connected young women. It is where friendships are formed, leadership takes shape, and potential is discovered through adventure, challenge, and community.
Where Girls Grow: A story told through voices
To mark this milestone year, we asked girls and parents across Ireland what Guiding means to them today. Their answers were honest, personal, and powerful.
- *Girls spoke about finding confidence they didn’t know they had, about speaking up for themselves, about supporting others, and about learning new things they probably would never have learned outside Guiding.
- *Parents spoke about the growth they could see unfolding week by week, and about their children discovering a sense of belonging that stays with them long after they leave their Unit.
These lived experiences sit at the heart of Where Girls Grow, a short film celebrating the impact of Irish Girl Guides today. Rather than looking back, the film shows Guiding as it is right now: active, inclusive, and shaped by thousands of girls and volunteers across Ireland.
It is where confidence builds slowly, session by session.
Where leadership is not taught from a textbook, but learned by doing.
Where girls discover they are capable of far more than they imagined.
It is also a reminder that youth development is not one-size-fits-all. Every girl’s journey is different, but the space to explore, fail safely, and try again is what makes the experience powerful.
Growth, change, and purpose: 115 years of Irish Girl Guides
Founded in 1911, Irish Girl Guides has evolved with each generation while staying rooted in one clear purpose: empowering girls and young women to reach their full potential.
The mission and values have remained the same.
From becoming a member of WAGGGS in 1932, to the introduction of Administrative Regions in 1973, to the launch of the Journey Programme in 2015, each step has helped strengthen Guiding for new generations.
In today’s world, where young people face increasing pressure and uncertainty, safe and inclusive spaces like this matter more than ever.
Across towns, villages, and cities throughout Ireland, Guiding offers something increasingly rare: a place where girls can simply be themselves, grow in confidence, resilience, and leadership, and discover who they are becoming.
And the story continues
This anniversary is not just a reflection of the past. It is a celebration of the present and a commitment to the future. Because after 115 years, one thing is clear we are still just getting started.
#WhereGirlsGrow #IGG115 #IrishGirlGuides #GivingGirlsConfidence