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Report of the Civics Institute of Ireland for the years 1940 to 1941. The Council members are listed at the front of the report and include Mrs Dancey, Lady Eleanor Keane and Mrs W Sharp. Mrs EM McGuire is listed as the Director of Studies and Miss MA J Keane is listed as the Institute's Secretary. Mrs Manning Robertson is listed as the Chairman of the Ladies' Committee which includes Mrs H Meade, Mrs L Bishop, Mrs McCann, Miss B Plunkett-Dillon, Miss Keogh, Miss Babs Smith and Miss Leonard. The Institute's aims and objectives are outlined in the foreword of the report. 'The objects of the Institute are to promote throughout Ireland systematic co-operation in Voluntary Social Work, by bringing into closer relation Public Departments, Local Authorities, Official Bodies and individuals engaged in works of Civic development and reform'. A brief history of the work undertaken by the Institute is given on pages 5 and 6. 'We supported the movement, initiated by the Women's National Health Association, for playgrounds which have now become recognised Municipal Centres under the management of the Civics Institute Acted as secretariat for the National Council for the Blind of Ireland; for the Irish Countrywomen's Association and the Irish National Garden Guild, until the development of these organisations necessitated increased office accommodation'. The report refers to the courses in Social Science which are available at University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. The course content is outlined and includes lectures on Maternity and Child Welfare Schemes, the Women's National Health Association and the Irish Countrywomen's Association. The report also lists the hospitals and centres which were visited by students, for example, 'St Brigid's Nursery Centre, Baby Clubs, Iveagh Play Centre and the Mount Street Club'. The work undertaken by the Institute at St Brigid's Nursery Centre, Mountjoy Square, is outlined in detail. 'On 30 September the Supervisor, Miss Ella MacMenamin, welcomed the first children to the centre ... Mrs Hull who is a member of the Institute has very kindly invited the children, with Miss MacMenamin and her assistant, for a holiday in the country during the summer. The health of the children is in the capable hands of our Honorary Medical Adviser, Dr Angela Russell'. Other activities include the provision of dancing and music lessons and constructional improvements to playgrounds. A list of subscriptions and donations is attached to the Report.

s 12382A

report