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.
Source: Irish Examiner, 26/08/2014
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