Writer's block in his efforts to make history

15 January 2010

I HAVE been commissioned to write the official history of the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland (AMAI) for its centenary.

The AMAI was founded in 1912 as a representative body for the municipal authorities of Ireland.

The current membership consists of all 85 urban authorities in the Republic - five are cities and 80 are towns.

The AMAI has a complete set of the annual reports of the organisation for 1917-2008 inclusive. However, they do not have the first five reports, for 1912-1916.

During this period, the presidents of the AMAI were Lord Mayor of Belfast Sir Crawford McCullagh (1915-16) and Mayor of Londonderry, Sir Robert Anderson (1917-19).

I have been unable to locate these reports in the National Library of Ireland, National Archives or other recognised repository.

I was wondering if any readers might be able to help?

DR MATTHEW POTTER

Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick