John McGahern is regarded as one of the most important Irish writers of the latter half of the twentieth century.
Known for the intrinsic and precise dissection of Irish life found in works such as The Barracks, The Dark and Amongst Women, The Observer hailed him as “the greatest living Irish novelist” before his death in 2006.
Born in County Leitrim, John McGahern was the eldest child of seven. His mother brought up the family on a small farm which she ran with outside help as she was also the local primary school teacher.
