Liam Creagh Collection on Brendan Behan

Collection

Identifier: MSE/IR 1070

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Liam Creagh Collection on Brendan Behan consists of 17 folders containing 7 letters and cards, a typescript, various print items, photographs and pictures, and a leather belt.

Dates

Creation: 1958-1971

Creator

Creagh, Liam (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright status for collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Biographical / Historical

Brendan Behan (1923-1964) was born in Dublin and became involved in the IRA early in life. He was incarcerated in Hollesley Bay, Suffolk as a youth and later in Mountjoy Jail, Dublin for shooting at a Garda (police officer). A housepainter by trade, Behan was a playwright, poet, balladmaker and novelist as well as being known as a popular storyteller and singer. He wrote and published in both Irish and English. Among Behan's best-known works are The Quare Fella, An Giall, The Hostage and Borstal Boy. Alcohol was a major problem in Behan's life, and this combined with diabetes brought him to an early death.

Liam Creagh was a prominent member of far-right group Ailtirí na hAiséirghe, and a friend of Brendan Behan.

Extent

1 Cubic Feet

Additional Description

Abstract

Correspondence and ephemera relating to Brendan Behan.

Arrangement

The collection is organized with correspondence in one group followed by other written material. Pictures (photographs, paintings and drawings) are grouped next. The last item is a leather military belt.