Paul Durcan (1944–2025)
Portrait photograph of Paul Durcan, Colman Doyle Collection, 2000 (CDOY)
Paul Durcan began writing in the 1960s and published more than 20 books during his distinguished career. His awards include the Whitbread Poetry Award, 1990 for "Daddy, Daddy." A member of Aosdána, he served as Ireland’s Professor of Poetry from 2004 to 2007 and received the Lifetime Achievement at the Irish Book Awards in 2014.
In 2024, the NLI acquired a significant second tranche of Durcan’s papers. This archive, covering the 1960s to the present, includes hundreds of his notebooks, annotated drafts, letters and personal items. Together with the documents acquired in 2006, the acquisition ensures that Durcan’s literary legacy will be preserved in perpetuity for future generations to reflect on, study and appreciate.
Dr Audrey Whitty, Director of the NLI, said:
“In 2024, the NLI was honoured to acquire a substantial collection of Paul Durcan's papers. These papers reveal the inner workings of an extraordinary creative and original mind.”
Our thoughts are with his family, friends and readers in Ireland and beyond. His words will continue to speak for generations.” Read more on the 2024 acquisition.
The first acquisition of Paul Durcan papers is fully catalogued and available for researchers – see Collection Items: Paul Durcan Papers.
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