Social media helps boost the number of pioneers

Up to 130,000 people in Ireland are currently pioneers.

Now, due to a social media campaign by the Pioneers Association, anecdotal evidence suggests that people under the age of 40 are re-evaluating their drinking habits and numbers becoming pioneers are on the increase.

In the 1960s, at the height of its popularity, the association had a membership of 500,000. Numbers began to fall dramatically from the 1990s onwards, due in part to the numerous scandals within the Catholic Church and alcohol costs.

The most recent high-profile pioneer to grab attention was Maria Walsh, who was crowned the Rose of Tralee last week.

Taking the pledge to become a pioneer for life or until the age of 18 was normally done when children were making their confirmation. Wearing a pioneer pin has been associated with taking the pledge.

The association was set up 116 years ago in New Ross, Co Wexford by Fr James Cullen. Being a member of the Catholic Church also meant that children became pioneers at confirmation age.

Raymond O’Connor, project coordinator, explained that due to a Facebook presence, numbers joining had increased.

“We joined Facebook two years ago and anecdotal evidence from the site shows so far that 2,500 people under the age of 40 have become pioneers,” he said.

“This represents 65% of our social media members. We also have a Twitter presence.

“There is no one reason why numbers seem to be on the rise. The figure of the past several years has been around 120,000 and now it’s edging upwards to 130,000. Social media has had a definite role to play in this.

“The numbers of pioneers are still a sizeable force. There seems to be a multitude of reasons why people are joining and it could be financial reasons, or even as a result of austerity.”

Ms Walsh, the Rose of Tralee added: “The concept of [becoming a pioneer] was never a foreign concept to me.

“People assumed that I must have been [an] alcoholic when I moved to the United States when I told them I didn’t drink.

“The Irish have an image of being drinkers and people couldn’t get over the fact I didn’t drink. To me alcohol was never necessary.

“There was always peer pressure along the line [growing up], particularly when I was a teenager to have alcohol, but I never needed it to benefit anything.”