Memorandum by Valentin Iremonger

I agree with Mr. O'Brien that it would be worthwhile to have Peadar O'Donnell on the Committee. The following literary names also occur to me: M.J. MacManus, Literary Editor of the Irish Press and Francis MacManus the new general features Officer at Radio Éireann. Eoin O Caoimh of the Book Association ought also be considered. There is nobody suitable among the leaders of Irish PEN in my opinion which is a pity because PEN has international contacts which might be of use to us.

A name that should also be considered is that of Michael Bourke, the Director of the National College of Art. Mr. Bourke was Art Inspector in the Dept. of Education prior to his appointment as Director of the College and while there he organised a Travelling Exhibition of Contemporary Painting which visited three or four towns in every country. He certainly would be more of an acquisition to us than the President of the RHA on account of his organising and administrative ability.

If the committee is to be effective it will need(?) to exclude first-class artists who are in any event more interested in, and devote more thought to their own creative work than to the organised dissemination of culture even though the organised dissemination will redound to the credit of their bank-balances. It is mainly because they haven't got time for it particularly today when most of them have to hold down a job as well. What is needed on the Committee is a band of people who are 'interested in' culture rather than the top rank of creative workers. Which is why I would tend to favour the inclusion of people like Bourke, O'Keeffe, MacManus etc. who might be relied upon to do a far better job than the O'Connors, O'Faoláins, Clarkes and university dons.