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THE PERSONAL AND family archive of author and painter Christy Brown was bought at auction today by the National Library of Ireland and the Little Museum of Dublin.
The collection, comprising papers, paintings, books and personal effects, was sold for €44,733 at Bonham’s auction house in London today.
The development was welcomed by Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan.
“I am delighted that this valuable collection will now be housed permanently in Dublin, Christy Brown’s home town,” he said in a statement.
“Christy Brown was an amazing individual who overcame great personal difficulties, to become one of Ireland’s best known authors and painters.
“Of course, his fame spread even farther as his extraordinary story achieved worldwide fame in the Oscar winning movie, My Left Foot.”
He congratulated the Acting Director of the National Library of Ireland, Catherine Fahy and the Director of the Little Museum of Dublin, Trevor White for ensuring the collection will be preserved and made accessible to residents and visitors to Ireland.
Deenihan added that he looks forward to an exhibition of the material “in the near future”.
Brown was born in 1932. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and learned how to draw and write using his left foot.
He died in 1981, aged 49.
The collection includes:
There are also more than 40 letters to Katriona Delahunt (later Maguire), the social worker who was the first person outside the Brown family to foster his talents as an artist and writer.
There is also a 1945 watercolour inscribed with the words:
“…I am writing this letter with a mixed feeling of regret and determination: regret as this is the last letter I shall write for the next five years; determined to write the next letter with my hands. Am I mad, you wonder? The answer is no. I flew to London with my mother yesterday…”
The NLI confirmed the acquisition was possible through financial support provided by an Irish company, Direct Medical.
Fahy said the National Library of Ireland would preserve and store the archive, and that elements of it would be incorporated into exhibitions at the Little Museum of Dublin.
Didnt see much of Harris lately.Is there an election coming up or something.
@Willie Marty: No its just that when they are under the cosh for whatever latest scandal they’ve caused they always send a Minister from a different portfolio out to explain, or if a female minister is on the news she is always flanked by two male colleagues.
@Liz Dunning: We really need a rest from Fianna Fail especially Skearon, people are sick of the same faces, the perpetual scandals, enough is enough.
@Liz Dunning: I knew it wouldnt be long before the FFG cult followers would be on the case.
@Liz Dunning: They seem to drag out Harris when the likes of Martin and Varadkar and other ministers run for cover. His ministerial record is a disaster…It’s his helpless took that they hope will appeal to people.
@Mr Inbetween: yeah senators on tv instead of a TD, says a lot about them.
@Liz Dunning: most of the FFG government usually hide out there with every scandel going on….the caves full id say
@Liz Dunning: why is he always sticking his nose into other departments ? Must be no work to do in higher Education
@Willie Marty: Lately, Simon Harris has been developing apprenticeships to the extent that over 20,000 are now learning & earning. Access to the 60+ options is now part of CAO, which reduces some stress on students & families.
@D Farrell: is that not his job. ????as minister for higher Education.
I wonder what croney friend fo Fianna gael it will be?
Another job for one of the lads or ladies or inbetweeners !! Was it advertised?
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: Didn’t see it. Flog it anyway. I’d apply.
It’s NOT going to work! Trust has bolted and Ain’t coming back!!! Scrap the TV Tax! Time for Subscription!!! Enough IS Enough!!!
@Liz Dunning: @Liz Dunning: Better scrap it altogether, Liz.
We weren’t put in this planet to support a mouthpiece for FFG.
Nor to keep Golden Boys and Girls in the manner to which they have become accustomed.
If it must be kept, then make it subscription.
And make it live within its means.
The rest of us have to.
By the way, which of the party’s expense accounts do you fall under?
@Liz Dunning: I have never heard anyone actually define what public service broadcasting is. Their explanation would be probably something like the shambles that is the referendum. None of them seem to be able to get a proper handle on explaining it.
Pretty sure the definition of PSB is not the likes of ‘Fair City or Dancing etc.’
@Liz Dunning: Do you know what the So called State broadcaster is showing today apart from Repeats? Hitler..A Life in pictures! I mean WTAF??? You want it, YOU pay for it!!
DEFUND RTE!
In the interest of transparency how much taxpayer money is the chair of the board compensated and how much of an expense account would they have?
@Ron Collins: On the news today, the figure of €30000 was mentioned.
RTE is not a public service broadcaster.
Didn’t the government have a few foreign people over to lecture to us about our security and NATO.
It was held in 4 counties and without attending, the only way to see or hear was the internet. If like the government told us it was very important, why didn’t our Public Service Broadcaster air it ?
The unholy troika of fianna gael, the Catholic church and RTE!
@Liz Dunning: @Liz Dunning: That’d be why they tried to give control of that new hospital down Vincent’s way into the control of the Church?
Despite the repeated outcries.
You should work for the russians, Liz.
Or US Republicans.
You have the same acquaintance with the truth.
@Michael o connor: yeah, it will be far better under Sharia Fein
@Ultimate Warrior: well the Sinaloa Gaels don’t seem to be making a go of it!
@Liz Dunning: You mean like the sweetheart deal made by FF and the religious orders concerning the crimes committed by the Church. The Church and their political wing in FFG have not gone away.
Harris we hope you do this crountry a big favor and step down .
Is the rumour that it will be Paul Reid tru?
@Padraig O’Brien: Why not that chap that messed up Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and DCC?
@Padraig O’Brien: ya. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil!
If Paul Reid gets the RTE Chair gig. Cronyism at its worst.
RTE and this Government is the new , Duffy’s Circus . Clowns the lot of them!!
Just read the Tayto Park article… It’s definitely worth a read…. unfortunately, comments are closed.
Let’s not forget those that insulted and abused those of us calling for RTE to be defunded the last few years. Hypocrites now calling for it
A national broadcaster is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, I welcome this development wholeheartedly
@Ultimate Warrior: Bahhhaa haha ha haha. You’re Funny!!!
@Ultimate Warrior: You mean, like TASS?
PSB does this include the journal,another part of the propaganda machine
Well done Journal,as usual closing comments on GENOCIDE.
Can anyone honestly look at the headlines these days and tell me we aren’t fkd?
Simon (18 previous covids) Harris. A great educated man.
Poison chalice.
Wonder which FFG mate is owed a dig out or thank you for services rendered lol. They are going to be a stalking horse.
have your say