Irish Girl Guides celebrate 115 years of empowering girls across Ireland with heartfelt anniversary film

Where Girls Grow: Celebrating 115 Years of Irish Girl Guides

Dublin, 23/06/2026 – The Irish Girl Guides is proud to mark its 115th anniversary, celebrating more than a century of empowering girls and young women across Ireland to grow in confidence, develop leadership skills, and make a positive impact in their communities.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Irish Girl Guides has launched a short film, Where Girls Grow, featuring girls, young women, and parents reflecting on their experiences and the lasting impact Guiding has had on their lives.

Aisling Claffey Healion, Chief Commissioner of Irish Girl Guides, said:

“For 115 years, Irish Girl Guides has been a place where girls can build confidence, make lifelong friendships, and discover their potential. Every generation has its own story, but the impact of Guiding remains the same: helping girls find their voice, embrace new challenges, and believe in what they can achieve.

Where Girls Grow really captures these stories. Through the voices of our members and their families, the video shows the confidence, friendships, leadership skills, and sense of belonging that girls gain through Guiding. It reminds why Guiding continues to make such a positive difference in the lives of girls and communities across Ireland.

This anniversary is a celebration of every girl, volunteer, Leader, and family who has been part of our journey. As we look back on 115 years of Guiding, we also look forward to the future and the opportunities ahead for the next generation of girls.” 

The film also captures the experiences of current members and their families.

• One Senior Branch member reflected on the impact Guiding has had on her life: “You are always included even if you don’t know everybody very well. As a Senior Branch member, I have learnt to stand up for myself and others, not just to stand back and watch everything happen.”

• Ian, whose four daughters are members of Irish Girl Guides, shared: “Since the girls have been coming to Irish Girl Guides it helps their confidence. They are working as a team, they are much more collaborative. They get exposed to things that I don’t think they would normally.”

For 115 years, Irish Girl Guides has been committed to empowering girls and young women to develop to their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world. The organisation provides a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment where girls can:

•           *Develop leadership and teamwork skills
•           *Build confidence and resilience
•           *Take part in outdoor adventure and camping
•           *Engage in community service and volunteering
•           *Form lasting friendships
•           *Explore global citizenship
•           *Build international Guiding connections

From early childhood through adolescence and young adulthood, members are supported by trained volunteer Leaders who deliver a progressive non-formal educational programme tailored to each age group.

As Irish Girl Guides celebrates this significant milestone, the organisation remains committed to its core values of empowerment, inclusion, and personal development while continuing to evolve to meet the needs of today’s girls and young women.

The anniversary film is now available across Irish Girl Guides’ digital platforms. Current and former members, volunteers, and supporters are encouraged to share their own Guiding memories as part of the 115th anniversary celebrations.

To watch the video: https://youtu.be/Mx09ne9ROqo

ENDS