The Boy Scouts of Ireland
Scout Association of Ireland
All Sections National Badge
There were several versions of the Association National badge. The Free State were the first issue, issued from 1922 to 1937, with the new Constitution in 1937 the Free State was renamed Eire and the National Strip changed to Eire. In 1949 the Constitution changed the name of the country to the Republic of Ireland and the name strip changed to Ireland.
Similar in design, the older badge has a more Gold coloured lettering the latter has a more yellow coloured lettering.
In the 12 years that the Eire strip was used several shades and slightly varying designs were used.
The first issue of the Ireland strip did not contain a reference to Boy Scouts
There were several issues of this badge which vary slightly in colour.
There were several versions of this badge issued over the years. The IRELAND strip was introduced in 1968 when The Boy Scouts of Ireland became The Scout Association of Ireland. The badge measures 80mm by 20mm.
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. National badges in English and Gaelic.
Beaver Scouts
The Scout Association of Ireland started Beaver Scouts in May 1976.
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. Beaver Scout section strip. Variations of letter size and shade as well as varying shades of background exist.
Cub Scouts
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. Cub Scout section strip. Variations of letter size and shade as well as varying shades of background exist. Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. Cub Scout section strip Gaelic version. Macaoimh literal translation is Youths although it is can also be used as Young Person or Boy.
Cub Scouts Cap Badge
The badge was worn by Scout Association of Ireland Cub Scouts on their cap, I think the Cap was discontinued sometime in the 1970s.
Cub Scout Arrow progression scheme
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. Bronze Cub Scout Arrow progression scheme. Was in use in the 1978 edition of the Cub Scout handbook and I think was in use up to the merger in 2004. The first issue was a lighter green as can be seen in the image.
Silver Arrow Gold Arrow
Scouts
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. Scout section strip. Variations of letter size and shade as well as varying shades of background exist.
SAI progressive badge scheme
Scout Standard
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I., measures 40mm by 40mm. The badge was used from the early 1970s (I think 1972) up to 1984 when it was replace by the larger blue oval badges. The badge was one of a progressive scheme, this badge was called the Scout Standard, the other were the First Class Award, Venture Award and Chief Scout Award.
Venture Award
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I., measures 43mm by 40mm. One of a progressive scheme used between the early 1970s (I think 1972) and 1984. It was replaced by the large blue oval badges in 1984. The badge was called the Venture Award.
S.A.I. Scout Membership Badge
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. Scout membership badge, this version was in use from 1984 up to 2004.
S.A.I. Progressive 1984
Investiture Badge
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. Investiture Badge also known as the Promise Badge, measures 59mm by 52mm. The badge was the first of 3 badges in a progressive scheme introduced in 1984, Frontier Scout and Explorer Scout were the other two stages.
Frontier Scout
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. Frontier Scout measures 60mm by 52mm. The badge was the 2nd in a 3 stage progressive scheme introduced in 1984.
Explorer Scout
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. Explorer Scout, measures 58mm by 52mm. The badge was the 3rd stage in a progressive scheme introduced by the Scout Association of Ireland in 1984 and was used up to 2004.
Saint Patrick’s Badge
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. Saint Patrick’s award badge. Measures 65mm by 45mm. This was the highest award in the scheme.
Sea Scouts
Section Name Strip
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. Sea Scout section strip. Variations of letter size and shade as well as varying shades of background exist. Gaelic version Gasoga Mara, two words although it looks like one on the badge, literal translation is Sea Scout. Variations of letter size and shade as well as varying shades of background exist.
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. Sea Scout chest patch. 140mm by 37mm. In the days when Irish Mammies use to knit a Sea Scout’s jumper the chest patch was supplied to sew onto the front of the jumper. I think the English version was discontinued sometime in the 1980s when Irish Mammies put the knitting needles beyond reach.
Scout Association of Ireland Sea Scout chest patch Gaelic version. Measures 175mm across.
Progressive Badge Scheme
In 2002 the S.A.I. introduced a new badge scheme for the Sea Scout section. The new scheme was known as the Progressive Badge Scheme. When the two associations merged in 2004 the scheme was continued by former S.A.I. Sea Scout Troops up until 2010, the scheme was discontinued with the introduction of the One Programme. Sea Scout Troops participating in the Progressive Badge Scheme could also were badges introduced in 2004 when they became part of Scouting Ireland although from what I have seen it appears Sea Scout Troops either adapted the new Scouting Ireland badges or remained with the Progressive Badge Scheme, I did not see any Troops using both schemes at the same time.
Venture Scouts
Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. Venture Scout section strip. Variations of letter size and shade as well as varying shades of background exist.
Leaders
Service knots were used by the Scout Association of Ireland. Service knots awarded to SAI leaders were worn on the Scouting Ireland uniform after the merger.
- Green = 10 Years
- Grey = 15 Years
- Purple = 25 Years
- Orange = 40 Years
Sea Scout Leader Cap Badge
Scout Association of Ireland SAI, measures 58mm by 46mm, padded with a plastic backing. They were designed to be wedged under the brim but as this was an unsatisfactory method of attaching the badge to the cap it was usually glued. The badge was in use up to about 2004.
Group Pastor
Group Pastor Scout Association of Ireland S.A.I. This position could be held by any adult, usually a Vicar, Minister or someone connected with the Church. A catholic priest could hold this position (I would suspect subject to Papal dispensation as it involved coming into contact with other religions.) Although the job description contained all sorts of things about faith and guardianship the usual job was to organize and conduct Scouts Own on district camps.