Club History

Cairn Terrier Association of Ireland

 

 

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The Cairn Terrier Association of Ireland was founded in May 1928, in Foxrock Dublin by Lady De Courcy-Wheeler  There also existed The Cairn Terrier Club so the members decided to call the new club the "Cairn Terrier Association of Ireland" (CTAI). The CTAI is the oldest existing Cairn Terrier Club in Ireland and one of the oldest in Europe. It is the only remaining club representing the Cairn Terrier which is affiliated to the Irish Kennel Club. The first recorded  meeting of members of the  Association  was held at Carrickbyrne, Foxrock on May 2nd 1928.  Some of the founder members of this club hold a place in the history of the Cairn Terrier and in the history of Ireland. 

The Joint President was Baroness Burton formally Nellie Lisa Bass who inherited Rangemore Hall and the title of Baroness Burton after the death of her father, Lord Burton in 1909. For 70 years Baroness Burton divided her time between Rangemore Hall and her two Scottish homes. The Baroness moved to Needwood House, still on the estate just one mile from Rangemore Hall. She still traveled to her Scotland homes, always taking her beloved Cairn Terriers with her.  She exhibited Cairns before they were called by that name and her standard of a good Cairn was printed in the Cairn Terrier Association Year Book. 

The Vice President was none other than  Mrs. Alastair Campbell who was a founder of the breed and exhibited the first Cairn Mrs. Alastair Campbell Terrier at the Inverness Show in 1909.  It was then described as a short haired Skye Terrier. The specimens shown there were of various colours, including black, but otherwise conformed generally to the type we know today. In fact the first seven cairns registered as Prick Eared Sky Terriers were registered in her name. She judged the first show at which championship status was granted.  She bred the first Cairn bitch to win a challenge certificate in the UK "Firring Flora" and owned the first  UK champion dog "Ch Gesto".



At the second meeting the Honorable Mrs. Ernest Guinness from one of Irelands well renowned families accepted the role of joint president with Baroness Burton. All Breeders & Exhibitors of the English Cairn Terrier Club were proposed and accepted as members of the CTAI. Extract from 1928 minutes.

The Cairn Terrier Association of Ireland was on its way, members and lovers of the breed owe a lot to these wonderful people who had a great love of the breed and have left us a legacy to cherish.