Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1979-c. 2001 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
5 standard boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Michael Curtin was born in Limerick in 1942 and educated at the Sexton Street Christian Brothers’ school. In the 1960s, having spent five years working in a cement plant, he emigrated to London to try his hand as a writer. Finding no success, he returned to Limerick, where the broadcaster David Hanly encouraged him to continue writing. Several of Curtin’s short stories were subsequently published in the New Irish Writing column in the Irish Press and one of them took first prize at Listowel Writers’ Week in 1972. His first novel, The Self-Made Men, a partly autobiographical account of immigrant life in England, was published in 1980 by André Deutsch. Five further novels followed: The Replay (1981), The League Against Christmas (1989), The Plastic Tomato Cutter (1991), The Cove Shivering Club (1996), and Sing! (2001). Many of Curtin’s stories are set in his native city of Limerick and are characterised by a darkly comic tone, which became Curtin’s trademark. Michael Curtin died in his native city in April 2016.
Archival history
Sold by Michael Curtin to Kenny's Bookshop, Galway.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Purchased by the University of Limerick from Kenny’s Bookshop, Galway, on 19 August 2005.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection contains manuscripts of five of Michael Curtin’s six novels and correspondence relating to his career as a writer.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
All records have been retained, except for two items unrelated to Michael Curtin, which have been destroyed.
Accruals
No accruals are expected.
System of arrangement
The documents are divided thematically into two series. Series 1 contains manuscripts of five of Curtin’s six novels, many with copy editor’s alterations. Series 2 comprises correspondence mainly with publishers, literary agents, film and TV producers and artists’ associations, and provides an interesting insight into the process of book publishing and the acquisition of film and foreign language rights. The difficulties experienced even by established authors to get their work into print is illustrated by the eleven rejection letters from publishing companies for Curtin’s fourth novel, The Plastic Tomato Cutter (see P19/1/4).
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Unrestricted access to most items. A small number of documents contain personal information and are closed for 50 years. These items have been identified in the descriptive catalogue.
Conditions governing reproduction
Standard copyright regulations apply to all items. For photocopying or reproducing material, please consult with the staff.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Paper documents in good condition.
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Michael Curtin’s six novels, including some foreign translations, are available in the Special Collections and Archives Department and in the Main Library at the University of Limerick.
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
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Description control area
Description identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
This description follows guidelines based on ISAD(G) 2nd edition (2000), Irish Guidelines for Archival Description (2009), National Council on Archives: Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names (1997) and EAP Guidance on Data Protection for Archive Services (2018).
Status
Level of detail
Language(s)
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Sources
Archivist's note
Papers arranged and described by Anna-Maria Hajba in February 2010 and revised July 2021.