Our History

The Pioneer Association as we know it today was established in Dublin on 28th December 1898 to combat the abuse of alcohol in 19th century Ireland. The association is not anti-alcohol. It has grown over the years to a membership of 300,000 throughout the world. Although initially founded to address the abuse of alcohol in Ireland in the 19th century, the organisation responded to changes in 20th century society by targeting the increasing use of drugs. .

The local association was founded in 1983 with the founding members providing a structure for the time. In 1991 the Pioneer Youth Council was established and the following year it produced a video entitled ‘What are friends for?’. The video was an educational resource exploring the issues of peer pressure and alcohol abuse. It is available from our Pioneer Shop, or if you would like us to come and show the video to your group, please contact the office.

In 1994 the Pioneer Information Centre was set up to provide resource materials and literature. Two Belfast Marathons Appeals were organised and run in order to raise both funds and the public profile of DCPA.

The Pioneer Youth council broke new ground in 1996 by organising an outdoor pursuits residential in Newcastle and a series of alcohol free discos which attracted huge numbers of young people. In 1997 DCPA initiated its first Education and Training programme and employed a full-time Education and Training Officer. This initiative was responsible for a huge increase in our youth membership.

As a means of celebrating the association's centenary a major musical presentation of Joseph and the Amazing technicolor™ Dreamcoat was produced and staged by members, and enjoyed a sell-out run in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall in March 1999.

One year later, to mark the Jubilee year, The Passion, a moving musical portrayal of the last days of the life of Christwas performed in the Waterfront Hall. Pioneer Productions then followed these appearances with a production of Titanic

These and many more similar landmarks over the last number of years have produced a new corporate image and raised the profile of DCPA throughout the Diocese and indeed the wider Northern Ireland community.

Click here to read about what we're up to right now, and what services we provide.

Click here to read about our future plans, and how you could be part of them.