File of MS letters from Hervé Jaouen, French writer and translator, to John McGahern, with detailed comments on many of McGahern's books and wider literary comments on translation, writing etc.

File of manuscript letters from teacher and friend, Tom Jordan, to John and Madeline McGahern, with personal discussions, comments on Irish society, news and current events, visits to the McGaherns, comments on McGahern's writing, and wider general discussions. Letters are grouped and arranged by decade from the 1960s to the 2000s, with some letters with no date.

MS letter from English writer Julia Jones, thanking John McGahern for his delivery of [his book] and is looking forward to reading it. Also discusses her own current writing projects.

Letter from British writer Hilary Mantel to Madeline McGahern, with comments and discussion regarding a book jacket blurb/text for a new or reissue of a paperback edition of a book by John McGahern. Mantel outlines what comments she could add about John's writing, and wider comments regarding his influence - "I learned a good deal from John's fiction ...".

Letters from Margaret Maurer, Academic and Department Chair at English, Colgate University, NY, with details of inviting McGahern to become an Adjunct Professor, and with general discussions on wider department news.

File of letters and card from poet Paul Muldoon to John McGahern. Includes letter inviting McGahern to Princeton University as part of the Fund for Irish Studies speaker series events (15 Feb 2001); Letter sending warm comments on McGahern's new novel (Jan 2002); Letter on BBC headed paper sending comments on "Getting Through" - "An astoundingly beautiful book"; Also a sign card dedicated to John and Madeline McGahern, with woodcut image of a sandalled person walking through grass, with a printed excerpt from Horace: Book III ODE XVIII. (2001).

File of letters and 1 postcard from writer Brian Moore, California, to John McGahern, sending a 'fan mail' of comments and praise on McGahern's writing, from "High Ground" to "Amongst Women", and also supplying a 'blurb' text to a publisher, praising the work.

Letter and postcard to John McGahern, adding comments on McGahern's application to Aosdána (1997), the other sending feedback and comments of consolation following Madden judging a book prize that McGahern didn't win.

Letter and postcard from playwright Tom Murphy to John McGahern with comments on having seen his play, "The Power of Darkness " at the Abbey Theatre, describing it as wonderful and disagreeing with the negative Irish Times review of the play.

File of letters from poet Richard Murphy to John and Madeline McGahern. Letters begin in 1965 with Murphy writing after the passing of his father and that he met with Patrick Gregory and Charles Monteith and in turn met up with McGahern's father and sister, Dympna. Murphy mentions that The Dark was not mentioned "out of courtesy" to McGahern's father and stepmother. He adds the banning of the book did more harm to the country than to the book itself. Letters in early 1970s talk of relationships, time in Paris and London (by McGahern), Murphy moving to Hamilton, New York, Arts Council Awards, parties, relationships, more letters are written on Colgate University, Dept of English-headed paper and discuss teaching news and updates, family matters and news, the taking of a house in Cleggan, Co. Galway; reviews of McGahern's work in the U.S.; the possibility of McGahern coming to teach at Colgate; arranging readings at Boston College (in which W.H. Auden was also reading); confirming news that McGahern is to get the O'Connor Chair at Colgate.
Letters on Princeton University creative writing programme headed paper, saying that Murphy has built a studio on Omey Island out of granite in the shape of a hexagon with detailed description of the studio, its construction and his work (29 Sep 1974); Update that the Minister for Local Government overturned Galway County Council order to demolish the studio. Also adds comments on The Leavetaking (8 Jan 1975); Makes offer of the Oratory on High Island for use by McGahern for his wedding ceremony (28 June 1970); Comments on McGahern's Memoir). Also detailed comments upon reading "That They May Face the Rising Sun" by Murphy (2002).
Two cards included which include hand coloured tapestry scenes from Sri Lanka. The cards are dated 1990 and 1992.
File also includes a pamphlet offprint of "The God Who Eats Corn" by Richard Murphy, reprinted from "The Reporter", New York, sign and dedicated to McGahern, with love from Murphy, 1 June 1964.