In 1925 and 1926, Father Ernest Farrell, a curate in Greystones, County Wicklow began working with a youth programme loosely modelled on the Scout method.

Under the pen-name "Sagart", he wrote a series of articles in Our Boys, a magazine published by the Christian Brothers, advocating the formation of an official Catholic Scout organisation.

This initial group, while more in line with the methods of the Boys' Brigade was viewed as an effective means of imprinting a Catholic ethos on the young men of Ireland.

In 1927 the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland was officially founded, with a constitution drawn up and a headquarters from which the association could be organised, clothed and supplied.

Tom kept up constant contact with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, and with the Dominicans, Franciscans, Carmelites, Passionists, Jesuits, Capuchins and other religious houses, all of which sponsored CBSI troops in Dublin at a very early period.

Some five hundred Scouts assisted in the preparations for the arrival of the Cardinal Legate, for his reception at the Pro-Cathedral and at the garden party held in Blackrock College.

In 1934, led by Cardinal MacRory, Bishop Patrick Collier and the members of the Executive Board, a pilgrimage was organised to Rome in celebration of the Holy Year.

During the trip Sir Martin Melvin, owner of the English Catholic newspaper, The Universe, presented a trophy, subsequently named in his honour, aboard the S.S. Lancastria.

The Association's Golden Jubilee Year was marked in 1977 by events throughout the country, culminating in an International camp held in the grounds of Mount Melleray Abbey, Cappoquin, County Waterford.