70 



March. 



THE IRISH FIELD CEUB UNION AND ITS WORK. 



A memorandum drawn up by order of the Field Club Union Committee 

 for circulation among the atfiliated Clubs, 



FOUNDATION OF THE UNION. 



In July, 1894, a three-day joint excursion of the Dublin, 

 Cork, and Eimerick Field Clubs was carried out, Fermoy 

 being the headquarters of the party. At a conference held on 

 the evening of the second day, for the discussion of Field Club 

 matters, emphasis was laid by J. ly. Copeman, Secretary 

 C.N.F.C., and Francis Neale, Secretary E.F.C, on the isolation 

 of the southern Field Clubs, and on the desirability of bringing 

 all the Irish Field Clubs into closer contact. The suggestions 

 made on this occasion, and in subsequent discussions among 

 the Secretaries of the Clubs represented, were not lost sight 

 of, and after some correspondence, the following memorandum 

 was submitted to the Committees of the Belfast, Dublin, Cork, 

 and Limerick Field Clubs. 



Memorandum. 



In the carrying out of the duties connected with their offices, the 

 Secretaries of the four Irish Naturalists' Field Clubs have for some time 

 felt the want of closer connection between the Clubs, by which more 

 frequent meetings might be arranged, and by which the Clubs might 

 assist each other by the occasional interchange of lecturers, and by the 

 loan of papers, specimens, lantern slides, &c. At present the Clubs have 

 but a slight knowledge of each other, and of each others' resources, and 

 such aids to their work as the above-mentioned can now only be carried 

 out after much enquiry and correspondence. With a view to facilitate 

 these and kindred objects, the Secretaries suggest that a joint committee 

 be formed, consisting of the President and Secretary of each Club, and 

 that the.se officers be empowered by the Committee of each Club to 

 represent them on this joint committee, their actions being in all cases 

 subject to the approval of the Committee of their Club. The Secretaries 

 suggest that this organization be called the Irish Field Club Union, and 

 they feel convinced that such a bond between the Clubs will strengthen 

 each, and greatly assist the cause of Field Club work in Ireland. 



(Signed), Francis Joseph Bigger^ Sec. B.N.F.C. 

 R. Li,OYD Praeger, Sec D.N.F.C. 

 John L- Copeman, Sec. C.N.F.C. 

 Francis Neai,e, Sec. L.N.F.C. 

 Dublin, 23. II. 94. 



