In a Canadian TV interview, Donleavy described himself as
"...a comfortably burned out volcano."

Photo by Thomas E. Kennedy
J.P. Donleavy Art Exhibit in New York, a Success
The JPD art exhibition/retrospective was held May, 2007 in New York City at the National Arts Club. The show also featured works by daughter, Karen Donleavy, who creates specialized, high-quality ceramics. For details go to the JPD National Arts Club page.

New JPD Books to be Published Soon
JPD has several book projects in the works. One is the third book of his "New York Stories" trilogy, of which the first and second titles are The Lady Who Liked Clean Rest Rooms and Wrong Information is Being Given Out at Princeton. The title of the new Novel is "A Letter Marked Personal." A recent article has stated that the three "New York" books will be packaged as a trilogy called "A Singular City." Check this page for news as it becomes available. Also near publication is a novella, titled "The Dog On the Seventeenth Floor." Visit the JPD Works in Progress page for other information on possible forthcoming books.

To purchase books by J.P. Donleavy, go to the Buyers' Guide.

JPD On BBC 4
JPD was the guest on Desert Island Discs BBC 4 Sunday March 4, at 11:15 a.m. local time (Ireland). The show was repeated Friday March 9 at 9:00 a.m. local time (Ireland). Kristy Young hosts the popular show where celebrities are asked which 8 musical recordings they would want with them if stranded on a desert island. The selections are then played with discussion between selections. JPD's picks.

J.P. Donleavy Exhibit at UCLA Powell Library Rotunda
The library's exhibit "God's Mercy: The Works of J.P. Donleavy From the Collection of Lawrence Grobel" was presented in April of 2006 and featured a wide array of JPD editions as well as many letters. Grobel was asked why JPD signs correspondence with friends as "Mike." He didn't have an answer. Mike was the nickname JPD received while serving in the Navy during WWII. The name stuck, although for business matters the name used remains J.P. Donleavy. Many thanks to Mr. Grobel for organizing this event and lending so many items from his personal collection to display for the students.

JPD Dublin Art Exhibit a Sell-out!
JPD's art exhibition and retrospective held February, 2006 at the Molesworth Gallery, Dublin was a complete success, all works being sold!
Click for details!

Gala Party in New York City Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Publishing of The Ginger Man

On October 29 2005, a party was held at The Ginger Man Pub (owned and operated by Bob Precious) in New York to honor JPD and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of The Ginger Man. A grand time was had by all. In attendance were such notables as actor Johnny Depp who is to play Sebastian Dangerfield in the film adaptation of The Ginger Man. Also present were singer/songwriter Shane MacGowan, lead man for The Pogues and JPD's film producers Bob Mitchell and son Philip Donleavy. Special thanks to Maike Schulz for the excellent photography.

Johnny Depp with JP Donleavy amidst the celebrating crowd.
Photo © 2005 Maike Schulz
From left to right: Philip Donleavy, Bob Precious (owner of the Ginger Man Pub) and JP Donleavy. Photo © 2005 Maike Schulz
JPD and Johnny Depp. Photo © 2005 Maike Schulz
JPD with Bob Mitchell and Bob's triplets.
Photo © 2005 Maike Schulz
JPD reads from The Ginger Man and other selected works.
Photo © 2005 Maike Schulz
Shane MacGowan performs for the gathering.
Photo © 2005 Maike Schulz
Miscellaneous

Bonhams UK recently offered for sale a double portrait of JPD by Gordon Stuart. The work is a crayon drawing on Ingres paper, dimensions 18 x 14 in.

The piece sold at auction for £2,600 plus premium and tax, roughly $4,775 U.S.

McDaids Bar on Harry Street, just off Grafton Street, was (and perhaps still is) a popular Donleavy watering hole. Thanks to John O' Mahony and Dave Phillips for providing information.


The infamous "Catacombs" in post-WWII Dublin, where JPD, Behan and many of the creatives of the day frequented, then had a dentist's office on the top floor with a brothel beneath. A sign once read "Extractions above. Insertions below."


"Racy Reads Becoming Popular Among Teens"

Sioux City Journal, May 6, 2007. by Dolly A. Butz

One teen participant in the study said, "I thought it was going to be a chore when my high school English teacher demanded I read J.P. Donleavy rather than trashy science fiction. Wrong. Sex to keep me interested. Literature to educate me."

In an article by Elizabeth Kiem, published in The Morning News, May 12, 2007, the writer tells of her arrival at the gate to the grounds of JPD's estate, Levington Park. A sign on the gate read:

MAD BULL, HIGH VOLTAGE FENCING, WOLFHOUNDS.
NO ENTRY WITHOUT NOTIFICATION.

Fortunately, Ms. Kiem had given notification and was not trampled by the mad bull, electrocuted by the high voltage fencing, nor mauled by the wolfhounds.


Have some JPD news or miscellany? Forward it to the Compendium. All contributors will be credited and will receive reciprocal links.

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JPD giving some insight into his work, while Charles Carter, Deborah Drylie and other gallery patrons look on and a documentary film crew records the moment. Photo by Charles Ruppmann.
J.P. Donleavy returns to a legendary haunt
"The Catacombs..."

...an RTÉ Radio 1 broadcast, made and presented by Ciaran Cassidy. Back at the original site, JPD,
Steve Willoughby, Joan De Frenay and Shelia Bradshaw talk about The Catacombs and the people who frequented the now famous hub of post-war Bohemian Dublin. First broadcast May 19, 2007. Replays of presentation are still available on the
RTÉ website as of this posting. Listen to the show.

Author, playwright and artist J.P. Donleavy - best known for his novel The Ginger Man (which for the past fifty years has never been out of print) - came to Trinity College after the war to take up student life: drinking, partying, writing and painting. He befriended brendan Behan. Donleavy opened the proceedings with a talk on Behan as he knew him.

Screened first was: MEET THE QUARE FELLA - 1960 • BLACK & WHITE • 35 MIN.

This is a rare opportunity to see the now infamous encounter between Eamonn Andrews and Brendan Behan. Filmed in Ardmore studios, meet the Quare Fellas shows us a Behan obviously at ease with his interviewer, who could, as much as Behan, play the archetypal dubliner. Andrews elicits frank responses from his subject regarding the topics of writing, fame, religion, his time in borstal and his Connections with the clandestine IRA, resulting in a candid glimpse into the personality of Behan towards the end of his life.

Screened second was: BRENDAN BEHAN’S DUBLIN - 1966 • COLOUR • 27 MIN.

In Norman Cohen’s poetic documentary, the spirit of the city is presented through the eyes of one of its most talented and colourful Citizens. Written by Carolyn Swift and featuring Ray McNally as the ‘voice of Behan’, the film is evocatively photographed by Robert Monks with musical ballads sung by The Dubliners. Interviews with Behan’s parents and wife add to the intimacy of the piece.

Special thanks to Bill Dunn for sending this news report.


J.P. Donleavy introduces an evening celebrating Brendan Behan
Watercolor and ink portrait of Behan by J.P. Donleavy

Limited, signed edition of
The Ginger Man audio book read by J.P. Donleavy. To place an order, email me and I will put you in touch with distribution.
During his recent trip to New York for an art exhibition at the National Arts Club, JPD met up with Trevor White, publisher of The Dubliner magazine and author of the book Kitchen Con and musician Audrey Ryan.

In response to many requests for more information on J.P. Donleavy's family, I've put up a brief, and I hope unobtrusive, "All in the Family" page.

Photo by The Dubliner magazine.

(From the Irish Film Institute Site)

July 18, 2007 - The Irish Film Archive screened two films made on this most gregarious literary figure, beloved of Dublin, and with a legacy that is as much about Behan as about his work.

Photo courtesy The Irish Film Institute
Final catalogue cover (this one signed by the artist) Photo courtesy of Damien Matthews Fine Art and Mr. Donleavy.
Ginger Man a new Italian translation (Neri Pozza, Milano, 2006) reached #1 on the best-seller list in Italy this year. JPD had to decline a congratulatory party invitation by the publisher because he couldn't find anyone to mind his cows (over 60 head).


Farmer J.P. Donleavy takes a stand against Genetic Modification
Many JPD fans don't know that he is an experienced farmer in addition to being a novelist, playwright and painter. JPD has 170 acres surrounding his Levington Park estate near Mullingar in County Westmeath, and he raises cattle on them, the herd varying from 40 to 80 head. Concerned about the growing threat of Genetic Modification in agriculture, JPD has gone on record to oppose such scientific intrusion by declaring his estate the first GM-Free farm in Ireland. See "The Agrarian Reforms of Organic Farmer J.P. Donleavy" by Bill Dunn for more on this and JPD tractor rider in general.
June, 2004. JPD and friends making a public statement against Genetically Modified farming. Photo by Photocall Ireland.
Prices of The Unexpurgated Code copies skyrocket after GQ mentions the book as the perfect gift for the one who has everything. The book, sadly out of print [English-language editions since 1988] has been being gobbled up at used bookstores lately, and at extremely high prices (I saw a Delta paperback in only Good condition, being offered at $600 and change). I had been trying to figure out why the prices of this title had gone through the roof lately and was very grateful when Matthew W. Burris contacted the Compendium with the GQ information. Many thanks, Matthew.



J.P. Donleavy and Tom Stoppard to headline Dublin Writers Festival 2008

The lineup for the Dublin Writers Festival 2008 will take place from Wednesday June 11 to Sunday June 15. A group of over 40 Irish and international writers culled from all disciplines will give readings, public interviews, talks and take part in debates regarding their work. J.P. Donleavy will take part in a retrospective event at the Project Arts Centre. Visit the Dublin Writers Festival site for more details and a Programme for the festival

J.P. Donleavy adds works to local St. Patrick's Day exhibition

J.P. Donleavy agreed to exhibit his art along with Mullingar's Brosna Art Group and to attend the opening which took place Saturday, March 15, 2008 in the Barlo Room at the Annebrook Hotel. Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland is where JPD has been living for quite some time and he often takes part in the local cultural scene.

The event, part of Mullingar's St. Patrick's Day celebration, was officially opened Saturday, March 15 by artist Ursula Meehan. The well-attended event was then open to the public March 16-17.

Thanks to Virginia McGillycuddy, assistant to Mr. Donleavy, for providing details.

J.P. Donleavy art exhibition, Molesworth Gallery, Dublin, April 30 - May 9
Damien Matthews Fine Art presented an exhibition of art by J.P. Donleavy at The Molesworth Gallery 16 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, 01 679 1548, www.molesworthgallery.com

The show was comprised of 69 pieces representing J.P. Donleavy's work from the 1950s to present. For more information visit the Compendium Molesworth 2008 exhibition page.
Larger view.
Photo © 2008 Bobby Hanvey
Larger view.
by David L. Hartzheim,
Instigator
Click here for complete catalogue!

J.P. Donleavy gives an encore reading of "Remarks on Barry Flanagan"
J.P. Donleavy's "Lobbing Hand Grenades: Remarks on Barry Flanagan" a speech first given to open Mr. Flanagan's sculpture exhibition June 27, 2006 at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, was repeated at the Mullingar Arts Centre, November 30, 2007 for the IMMA to video tape the talk for its archives.
Barry Flanagan
"The corn's up" 1978
"Bug" 2003
"Six ft. leaping hare on Empire State" 2002


J.P. Donleavy in new book of writers who are also artists

The Writer's Brush: Paintings, Drawings, and Sculpture by Writers

by Donald Friedman | Cloth | Mid-List Press, September 11, 2007 - ISBN 9780922811762

JPD included in a collection of writers who are also artists. Other author/artists in this collection include: Dostoevsky, Henry Miller, Joseph Conrad, W. B. Yeats, e. e. cummings, Kurt Vonnegut, D. H. Lawrence, Sylvia Plath, Goethe, Hermann Hesse, Vladamir Nabokov & John Updike.

Available at Amazon.com

"I Love J.P. Donleavy" T-shirt now available at Amazon
Use this Amazon link for item details and ordering.
J.P. Donleavy-inspired pattern on COLOURlovers.com
COLOURlovers™, a site that in their words: "...is a resource that monitors and influences color trends. COLOURlovers gives the people who use color - whether for ad campaigns, product design, or in architectural specification - a place to check out a world of color, compare color palettes, submit news and comments, and read color related articles and interviews." The site includes this JPD-influenced pattern.
Donleavy is Sex Pattern by Petrnotail
Website
MySpace
Virb
Inspiration: The Ginger Man by J.P. Donleavy