New book details author's University links
A special book celebrating the relationship between one of Ireland’s best-loved writers and Galway University was launched today.
John McGahern at NUI Galway provides an insight into the prolific author’s literary life and chronicles his near 50-year relationship with the university.
A former Galway lecturer, the writer, who died last year, donated to NUIG a vast treasure trove of literary papers, writings and early drafts of his novels in 2003.
Dr Iognaid O Muircheartaigh, NUIG President, said: “John McGahern enjoyed a close association with our University, over a period of almost 50 years.
“John McGahern at NUI Galway provides a picture of that relationship, which culminated in the university’s library becoming the repository for McGahern’s literary papers.
“Through the archive and through this book, we maintain an enduring link with the writer and the man.”
McGahern began his association with NUIG as an undergraduate, later returning to be presented with an honorary doctor of the university in 1994 and Adjunct Professor of Irish Studies in 2001.
He also lectured in Creative Writing and Irish Studies.
In 2003, he presented his lifetime archive of manuscripts and literary papers to the university, which included many drafts of his novels and writings.
By way of explanation he said he decided against selling them to US universities but donated them to NUIG because he had many friends in Galway.
The 48-page hardback commemorative volume is compiled and edited by university staff Liz McConnell, Dr John Kenny, Dr Riana O’Dwyer and a host of other academics.
The book will be launched today by Dr Loretta Brennan Glucksman, chairperson of the American Ireland Fund, which in 1985 awarded the writer the American Ireland Fund Literary Award.
It is available from the Press and Information Office at NUIG.
John McGahern died in March of last year.
Internationally acclaimed, he was the author of six novels, several collections of stories, and an autobiography – Memoir.
A final collection of new and previously published stories, Creatures of the Earth, was completed in the month of his death.
