Letters received by Siobhán McKenna, including letter from Brian [ ], Belgrave Square, London, to Siobhán McKenna, sending a copy of the letter he had sent to John Ford, outlining what had happened when they tried to bring Saint Joan to London. Asks if Denis has thought further about Shadow of a Gunman! Discusses finance for doing it in Ireland. Also comments that he was glad to do something for Michael Dolan, getting him the part of "Christmas Past" in Scrooge with Alastair Sim ("I am very happy to bring this very fine actor to England and introduce him to the
screen") (10 May 1951). Also letter from Micheál Ó hAodha, Radio Éireann, Baile Átha Cliath, to Siobhán, enclosing the script for Diarmuid agus Gráinne, and he has special music commissioned for it that he can forward to her if she wants to hear it. Ends by wishing herself and Donnchadh a Happy Christmas [in Irish] (20 Dec 1951).
Letters received by Siobhán McKenna, including letter from L Ó Raifeartaigh, Leas-Rúnaí, An Roinn Oideachas, Baile Átha Cliath, to Siobhán McKenna, stating that the Minister was offering her a position on the Board of Directors of Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe, and hopes that she is in a position to accept (12 May 1952). Also letter from Fr. Murray, The Convent, Ladbroke Road, Redhill, Surrey, discussing the radio script he had sent onto her, as well as his views on the 1916 leaders. He also gives his negative views on Juno. "Last year in Devon I met Mrs. Sean O'C- mother ... a broken-hearted woman - because Sean had destroyed his wife's faith. After all - sure that's all we have" (22 Nov [1952]). Also letter from Padraig [Ó Cearbháill], Imperial Hotel, Ballina, to Siobhán McKenna hoping Stratford is going well. Comments that he had got the latest instalment from Nancy. Gives an account of the Playboy he saw in the Abbey as well as details of the work of Sean Ó Riordain [in Irish] ([1952]).
Letters received by Siobhán McKenna, including note from Eileen O'Casey, Tingrith, Totnes, Devon to Siobhán McKenna giving her the address of Sam Wanamaker who wanted to talk to her re. Purple Dust. Ends by asking how her mother is (15 Jan 1953).
Letters received by Siobhán McKenna, including letter from Eilis Ó Cuilleanain, Warden's House, UCC to Siobhán McKenna. She has heard that she is coming to Cork, and they can put her up if required, if she is ok still hopes to meet up with her (4 Mar 1954). Also letter from Prionnsias Mac Diarmada, Camden Rd., London, to Siobhán McKenna, thanking her for getting the “Scéala Eireann” record together, commenting that she is a wonderful “unofficial ambassador” for Ireland (6 July 1954).
Letters received by Siobhán McKenna, including letter from John Bryan, New York, to Siobhán McKenna apologising for not writing sooner as he is getting The Wayward Saint into production. He is sorry to hear that she thinks the part too small for her American debut, because he feels the part can be played well even if it is dominated by the two men (4 Jan 1955). Also letter from Lelia Doolin, Director of the Dramatic Society, UCD, to Siobhán McKenna inviting her to speak to the Society on the topic of her choice if she was inclined to do so. Ends by wishing her every success in the States (11 Jan 1955). Also letter from Sean Tóibín, Tramway Gardens, Cork to Siobhán McKenna, saying what a wonderful job she did with St. Joan. He comments that The Robe should also be translated into Irish, and forwards a copy of his radio script "Fallainc 6 Gholgata" to see if she would be interested in producing it [in Irish] (27 Apr 1955). Also letter from Guy Bolton, Remsenburg, Long Island, to Siobhan McKenna, saying that he understands that her time is taken up with things theatrical at the moment, but wonders if she is free for the role in Anastasia which Michael Powell is hoping to put in on in London. Comments that there are a few other possibilities, but that he would be keen if she were available for the part ([1955]). Also letter from Kathleen McGovern of the Gaelic Society, New York, to Siobhán McKenna saying that they are following her progress in the newspapers, inviting her to a meeting with soda bread "baked by a real Irish cook" (16 Sept 1955).
Letters received by Siobhán McKenna, including letter from Seosamh Daibhéid, Brooklyn, New York, to Siobhán McKenna, saying that he had been talking to Bean Ui Slatarra, who had told him that she was making records of readings, wondering if she had considered doing some Irish readings such as “Cuimhais an Chriathraigh” or “An Bóthar ar an gheal-chathair” by Mairtín Ó Cathain [in Irish] (25 Mar 1956). Also end of letter from Ivor Jones of the Goodwill Club, Toronto, to Siobhán McKenna, discussing the possibility of her doing a series of articles for them as there is a big Irish community in the city and they are sure they would be well received ([1956]).
Letters received by Siobhán McKenna
Letters received by Siobhán McKenna, including airgram from Paddy the Cope, Dungloe, Donegal, to Tom Cox, Rego Park, Long Island, thanking him for his letter and film-script, thinking it is wonderful. Asks if he has heard anything about Powell and asks him to pass on his sincere best wishes to Siobhan on her success (28 Jan 1958). Also letter from Cecil Madden, London, to Siobhán McKenna, enclosing his adaption of the Spanish play The Pilgrim (23 June [1958]).
Letters received by Siobhán McKenna, including letter from Mae Thacker, Locust New Jersey, to Siobhán McKenna, introducing herself as a distant relation and asking if she would like to meet up (29 Jan 1959). Also letter from William K McClure, CBS News, London, to Siobhán McKenna, thanking her for her hospitality during the filming of Small World at her home, which he and the crew enjoyed very much (19 Mar 1959). Also letter from PJ Drury and SP Keating of the United Irish Counties Association of New York, to Siobhán McKenna thanking her for her statement in
support of Irish freedom (19 Mar 1959). Also letter from W Beatty, Belfast, to Siobhán McKenna, taking issue with her on her interview, ending “Remember 1690” (25 Apr 1959). Also fan-letter from Pádraig Óg Ó Conaire, Rathfarnham, Dublin, to Siobhán McKenna, with a piece by P.S. O’Hegarty on Shean-Phádraic [in Irish] (11 May 1959). Also letter from Axel Heider, Zurich, to Siobhán McKenna, sending her reviews from the local newspapers of the Gate Theatre production of St. Joan, commenting that her performance was the cornerstone of their success (10 June
1959).
File of fan mail for Siobhán McKenna