File of manuscript and typescript letters and postcards from Seamus Heaney to John McGahern. The letters date from 1975 - 2005 and relate to personal and literary discussions. Included are eighteen letters, ten cards and postcards and two poems inscribed to the McGahern's, including "Catherine's Poem" and also "Ulster Twilight". The letters discuss various matters, from arranging for academic posts in the U.S., readings and events in Ireland and elsewhere, general comments on Irish writing
"It was one of the most enhancing times of my life" (Postcard, no date); "...to say how deeply the Granta "[The] Lanes" piece entered me" (12 Jan 2005), on dodging Bloomsday season (7 June 2001), McGahern's teaching at Colgate University, Heaney's own teaching work and related discussions.

Letters from Senator Joe O'Toole (and also Charlie McCreevy T.D., Minister for Finance) relating to efforts regarding pension payments from McGahern's time as a teacher.

Letters from Simone Gallimard, Publisher, to John McGahern. Letters in French.

Letters from Sonny Mehta at Knopf Publishers, New York, with details and publication updates on US editions of McGahern's books, including "By the Lake" (Memoir). One letter notes that the Queen Mother (UK) rejected an appeal to use an unnamed painting on the book jacket. Emails of reply from John McGahern included.

File of letters from St. Patrick's College, including Dr. Derek Hand, its president, Dr. Pauric Travers, and others, relating to the honorary degree awarded to John McGahern by Dublin City University/St. Patrick's College.

File of manuscript letters and postcards from Stephen Page, Chief Executive, Faber and Faber, to John McGahern and Madeline McGahern. Letters discuss meeting with John in Dublin, discussions on publishing plans for McGahern's books by Faber, and related queries on the work. Also a letter from Page to Madeline McGahern, after John had died, and discussing issues raised at the launch of "Love of the World", the collected book of McGahern's non-fiction writings. (2010).

Manuscript letters from Susan Cerasano, academic in the English Department, Colgate University, and colleague of John McGahern. Includes news and updates from the Department and campus, personal family updates, discussions on writing and similar topics.

Letters from playwright Thomas (Tom) Kilroy to John McGahern. Letters include comments from Kilroy on McGahern's play, "The Power of Darkness" and that Field Day should develop the play; Comments on his own play, "Double Cross" and on Field Day Theatre Company; trips to Ballinrobe Race; arrangements to meet up with the McGaherns; Comments about Aosdána; early retirement from University College Galway; comments on Dublin theatre and audiences in early 1990s; Garry Hynes at the Abbey Theatre; comments on the visit of President Ronald Reagan to Ireland; updates on Kilroy's plays at the Royal Court, London; visiting the Friels; book prizes; and other comments on Irish writing and culture. Also includes page from unnamed magazine, with photos and coverage of Kilroy and his novel, The Big Chapel.

Letters from Tom and Anne Bradley to John and Madeline ('Bambi') McGahern. Tom Bradley was Professor of Russian Literature in Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, USA. Letters include invitations to the McGaherns to visit and stay with the Bradleys; letter thanking McGahern for sending a Polish translation of "The Pornographer" to Tom Bradley, and talking about visits to Lodz and Warsaw in Poland (2001); letter from Bradley saying he had read McGahern's later works and offering comments on the books and on family/work matters (2002); Letter of 2004 with further news and updates on work, family, travel etc. with comments on protests in Ireland against George W. Bush.

Also two letters from Maurya Bradley, daughter of Tom and Anne, asking McGahern if he would add support to her Fulbright application to study in Ireland, with later letter to say that she did not get a Fulbright fellowship that year (1996). Copy of letter of support written by McGahern is included.

MS letters from Tom and Peggy Leen, sending personal good wishes, news of McGahern family members, and comments on the public attitude to McGahern's books, from The Barrack to the Dark and later public attitudes towards McGahern that he encounters in the local pub.