Files of manuscript and typescript letters from John McGahern to various including writers, editors, family, and friends.
These are the original letters which are transcribed and published in "The Letters of John McGahern" edited by Frank Shovlin (Faber and Faber 2021). The files of letters present include from John McGahern to:
Patsy Murphy, Tom Callan, Jimmy Swift, Anne Annerson, Susannah Cappon, Patrick Gregory, Debbie Newt (Colgate), Neil and Mary Joy, Brian Friel, Nicholas and Eleanor Grene, Madeline McGahern, Mr. Charleton, Jason Epstein, Matthew Evans, Peter Lennon, Dympna McGahern, Tony Swift, Patrick Gregory, Stanley Van Der Ziel, Faber and Faber (re. Ligne de Fond Cover), Clare Rehill Robertson, J.D. Langton and Passmore (Colgate), Mary Keelan, Charles Monteith, Maggie Pernod, Donald, Ian Jack, Mary Kay Wilmer, and Dolores Cleary. Letter to a Sophie [ ], with comment "letters ...are never quite honest".
Also a piece of manuscript quotation by McGahern, with labelling as being "...Quoting Critique of "Walking along the Border".

Manuscript letters written by John McGahern to Sean Brehony, Galway over a period between 1962 and [1966]. The letters are written by McGahern from addresses such as 23 Forest Drive, London E. 11; 7 Powis Court, London, W.11; Almeira, Spain and also Helsinki, Finland. Letters are mainly personal in detail and discussion - topics relate to experiences of McGahern in and of the locations he is writing from. In one, he mentions "the book comes out May the 6th" and that he has sent a copy to Brehony but asks him not to loan it to anyone. Letter of 17 January 1966 discussing teaching and also adds that the B.B.C. hope to make a documentary "on the world of the Barracks and the Dark". These letters were received through the generosity of the Brehony family, Galway.

Letters form poet John Montague to John McGahern. Includes letters of feedback on a manuscript sent to Montague, with comments and comparisons on writing by Aidan Higgins (1961); a letter commenting on McGahern's terrible handwriting (1962); letter sending feedback having read The Barracks (1963); letter with details of a poem written by Montague and which could be dedicated to McGahern if he agreed; later letters and postcards through to 2001 discuss mutual writing projects and general conversation.

Letters from John Murphy, formerly of Knockananna but then of Canada, to Eoghan Ó Tuairisc, mainly personal dealing with his father and other issues relating to his house.

Letters from Kai Erikson, Editor, the Yale Review, to John McGahern, with details on publishing a story by McGahern in the periodical. "Oldfashioned" was published.

Letters from Kathleen Court and Jonathan Coleman, who worked at various publishers including Viking Press, Knopf, and Penguin, and on the publishing of books by John McGahern. Letters on Knopf headed paper from Coleman (c. 1970s) discusses a love interest with a married woman; other letter adding to his comments in hoping McGahern will return to publish at Knopf (1975); letter (21 Apr 1975) sending admiration to McGahern on "The Leavetaking" and on McGahern's work generally.
Includes a 2 page manuscript letter from John McGahern to Kathleen, written on University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne headed paper, 14 Oct 1975 discussing his planned move back to Ireland and to be settled in one place. His brother-in-law had died recently also. "Its eleven years of having no place now." McGahern discusses stories such as the book "The Leavetaking" but also his writing of a novel. Mentions "the textual provos were out" and sends details on the outline plot and characters of "The Pornographer".
Later letters in the 1990s from Kathleen Court to McGahern are on Viking Penguin (1992) and Penguin (2006) headed paper. The former discussing McGahern's move to Knopf publishers and adding ongoing publication by Viking Penguin of "The Dark", "The Pornographer", "High Ground" and "Collected Stories" as well as a new print run of "Amongst Women". The latter sending new copies of "The Pornographer" to McGahern and looking forward to the publication of "All Will Be Well."

Letters from Kevin Barry, Professor of English, National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG and formerly University College Galway/UCG). Letters include sending comments following broadcast of documentary about McGahern on Irish television and inviting the McGaherns to visit Barry at his home in Galway; letter from [ Aoife] , wife of Barry, to John McGahern and also offering comments on the documentary on McGahern, also a letter from Barry to McGahern with plans of upcoming visit by McGahern to the Cúirt Festival of Literature in Galway.

File of letters from film-maker Kieran Hickey, B.A.C. Films Ltd., discussing plans for a film adaptation of McGahern's novel, The Pornographer. Includes copy of contract made about the film adaptation of the novel. File also includes letters from Prof. Louis de Paor, Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway (12 Jan 2005) film-maker Pat Collins (n.d.) and Patrick Duffner (2002) with discussions around a documentary.

Letters from Leslie Brooks to John and Madeline McGahern, inviting John to be an honourary member of the Senior Common Room of St. Cuthberts Society, University of Durham.

Two postcards from Liam Keaveney to John McGahern, sending good wishes.