Manuscript letters from Joe Randolph 'J. R.' Ackerley, to John McGahern, written from address in Putney, London. Includes five letters dated between 1965 and 1966 and offers comments of drafts of a novel and possibly also stories sent by McGahern to Ackerley. One letter hopes to meet with John soon, in London, perhaps also to see the Oxford V. Cambridge rowing race. One letter (16 Apr 1966) states "I am just at the end of The Barracks and am very glad to have read it".

Letters from film director Joe Comerford, to Lelia Doolan. Letters relate to matters from the production of film "Reefer and the Model", such as challenges about music rights, goals and outlines for the film, wider discussion about film production in Ireland and Irish film in general; comments on attending the Galway Film Fleadh and adds some observations (1994); notes on screening of Reefer, for Highboot Benny; manuscript text of talk by Comerford about art and culture in society; summary document of points following Barcelona Film Festival (1988); a profile document on Joe Comerford (1997). Letter signed by Michael D. Higgins, T.D., Minister for Arts, Culture, and the Gaeltacht (26 May 1994) stating he has referred a query about Barcelona Film Prize to Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dick Spring T.D.

TS letters from Joan Brady, American-British writer, to John McGahern and also to 'Bambi', a nickname for Madeline McGahern, congratulating John for his recent literary prize win (1992) and also discussing personal family matters with Madeline McGahern.

Letters, email, and postcards from Ian Jack, Granta Magazine, to John McGahern. Includes email of feedback on "Memoir" including the suggested inclusion of a map of McGahern's places named in the book, and other textual edits; also a letter with suggested comments on "That They May Face the Rising Sun", and related comments on McGahern's writing.
Also material to other publications by McGahern with Granta - post cards with comments on proofs/edits from Fatema Achmed and Claire Wrathall (1997 - 2006).
See also P71/1671 for more contact with Granta and McGahern.

File of letters and from Gudron Boch to John McGahern. Boch is writing from an address in Co. Sligo and also from 'Radio Bremen' headed-paper. Letters include to McGahern at Colgate University, NY, (29 Nov 1996). thanking McGahern for seeking out Boch in Sligo and thanking him for his reading in Bremen "which is still talked about"; comments on the death of Boch's wife, Gesa, and her funeral (Oct 1988); discussing McGahern's forthcoming Memoir and interviews on Irish radio with McGahern (2005); letter with comments on "That They May Face The Rising Sun" (10 Feb 2005); and notes on a recent visit to Ireland, wishes McGahern well in facing his illness (May 2005).

File of MS and TS letters from Fred Busch to John McGahern. Busch was an American short story writer and novelist and was professor of literature at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York from 1966 to 2003, where McGahern also worked. The letters date from the late 1970s, where Busch was then based at University of Iowa, to the early 2000s.
Letter (27 Oct 1978) to McGahern, sending details of an international writers' translation programme at the University of Iowa, and mentioning his new novel; Letter discussing the teaching and writing content of courses at University of Iowa (24 Jan 1977); Letter from Busch to Fran [ ], on Columbia University NY headed paper, offering detailed comments on McGahern's novel, "The Pornographer" (no date); Letter to McGahern outlining teaching plans and students at Colgate University, NY, and mentioned that he has finished a new novel "Sometimes I Live in the Country" (10 May 1983); Letter sent to McGahern with detailed comments on Busch's reading of "Getting Through" and comments on individual stories. Also discussing Busch's own writing, his novel in progress and also his strong recommendation to the Dean that McGahern return to teach at Colgate University (10 June 1980); Letter inviting McGahern to be part of a 'Living Writers' lecture event at Colgate and also responding to press reviews of McGahern's "Amongst Women" (11 Feb 1991); Letter sending congratulations on McGahern's Collected Stories, calling it "a life's great work" (30 Nov 1992); Further letters through the 1990s discuss teaching at Colgate, McGahern's writing, proposed film/TV adaptations of his work, Busch's own writing such as his novel "The Night Inspector".
Letters through the 2000s discuss Busch's son's serving in the U.S. army in Iraq, his own writing of poetry (25 Aug 2003); comments on the US reception of John Banville and also comments on the Times Literary Review of McGahern's "Memoir" (8 Nov 2005); Other letters following discuss Busch's books "A Memory of War", "North" and others, as well as coverage of Colm Tóibín's works, McGahern's "Memoir" and related literary topics as well as family news.

File of manuscript letters from Francis 'Francie' and May McGarty to John and Madeline McGahern. McGartys were friends of the McGaherns, based in Co. Leitrim, and with personal conversation, news of locals and of the area.
Includes memorial card with photograph of Francis McGarty, died 28 Jan 1996.

Letters and email from Francis Byrne, BBC, to John McGahern. Letters detail discussions around adaptations of McGahern's work for the BBC. Letter 6 Oct 1994 from Byrne begins "As a great lover of 'Amongst Women', I recently put your writing forward as part of a list of suggestions for illustrated readings on BBC Radio 4." The letter continues to invite McGahern to submit new original work for radio and with detailed comments from Byrne on McGahern's writing style; Letter from Byrne outlining edits to a text sent by McGahern, with characters named as being Maggie, Kate, and Jerome (n.d.); TS letter, 3pp, personal discussion and comments on what books both are reading, sporting events, family matters, travel, etc.; Emails from Byrne to McGahern, Nov 2005, with comments and edits made on radio 4 adaptation on "Memoir".

File of letters from various editors at Faber and Faber publishers, London, to John McGahern. Letters primarily from Matthew Evans. Letters discuss publication consideration of books by McGahern, comments on US publication details and rights (includes copy letters from Jason Epstein at Random House, USA) and details of potential US presses for McGahern's work; discussions on royalties, comments relayed from Charles Monteith; sales and distribution of the books, possible film rights for adaptations, and related personal comments between Matthew Evans and McGahern.
Letters and postcards to McGahern from Joanna Mackle, Editor at Faber, sending congrats on McGahern winning the Galway Literary Festival Award (1987) and other later letters and cards commenting on receiving McGahern's recent manuscripts at Faber. (1980s - 2000). Letter from Donah Wood, Drama Editor, Faber and Faber (28 June 2005), sending congrats and comments about "Memoir".
NOTE: See also P71/1664 for file of letters from Charles Monteith, Editor, Faber and Faber; File P71/1707 for letters with Robert McCrum, Faber and Faber.

File of letters sent from Emily Morison Beck, Editor at Atlantic Monthly, to John McGahern. Letters discuss stories sent to the Atlantic by McGahern, and decisions on their publication by Morison Beck. Includes comments on "The Recruiting Officer" and "Korea" (10 Jul 1969); Royalties owed to McGahern (1969); edits to manuscripts made by McGahern (3 Aug 1973); detailed comments on the manuscript of The Leavetaking , with reservations on the title, and an alternative offered (11 Oct 1973) and more in letter of 12 Dec 1973; comments on visits to the McGaherns in Paris (13 Mar 1973); detailed comments on "The Leavetaking" manuscripts (30 Aug 1973); further discussions around the American publishing of The Leavetaking (22 Feb and 21 Mar 1974).