Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB) was co-founded in 1976 by the late Mrs. Mary Dunlop and our current President Mr. Jim Dennehy. Prior to that point, Mrs. Dunlop, who had a major interest in dogs and horses, had been fundraising in Ireland to send people with a vision impairment to the United Kingdom for training with a guide dog.

Jim Dennehy who had lost his sight 8 years earlier, was the first person in Ireland to train with a long cane. He later trained with a guide dog. Mr Dennehy had travelled to the United Kingdom for his training as there were no organisation in Ireland these services.

Mr. Dennehy and Ms. Dunlop recognised the need for a service which was based in Ireland and so Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind was formed.

Significant milestones

1976  
Organisation is founded in Dublin

1980
Moved to our current site in Model Farm Road, Ballincollig, Cork and trained our first guide dog partnership

1981  
Official opening of our National Heaquarters Building in Model Farm Road, Cork by the Taoiseach Dr. Garret FitzGerald, T.D.

1988
Introduction of the Orientation & Mobility Programme (Long Cane Training)

1999
Introduction of the Child Mobility Programme in conjunction with the Department of Education & Science

2000   
Construction of kennels complex is completed

2001
Official opening of the new Training Centre encompassing accommodation block and staff offices by then Minister for Health Mr. Micheal Martin, T.D.

2004
The Independent Living Skills training facility and programme is launched by the Minister for Health, Ms Mary Harney, T.D. at our National Headquarters & Training Centre

2005   
Introduction of our Assistance Dog Programme for families of Children with Autism - a first for Europe

2006  
The Organisation celebrates its 30th anniversary with a series of events across the country. A postage stamp marking the event is launched by An Post

2007  
Designated as the Year of the Volunteer and after a national volunteer listening exercise, we launch our Volunteer Handbook

2008
Strategic Plan 2008 - 2010 is launched

2010
Completion of a €5 million redevelopment of our National Headquarters and Training Centre providing increased capacity for training and improved facilities  

2010
Child Vision The National Education Centre for Blind Children (formerly St. Joseph's Centre for the Visually Impaired) opens School for the Visually Impaired outreach facility and preschool at our National Headquarters and Training Centre

2010
We train the highest number of clients in our 35 year history

2011
An Taoiseach Mr. Enda Kenny, T.D. officially opens the re-developed National Headquarters and Training Centre