The last remaining archive of material relating to the work of Christy Brown will stay in Ireland. The collection was bought by the National Library of Ireland and the Little Museum of Dublin at auction in London for more than €42,000.

The archive includes previously unseen sketches, paintings and unpublished poems - as well as private letters.

The 43 letters run from 1945 to 1976, five years before his death. They are said to include his most personal thoughts and observations.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan has welcomed the news.

"I am delighted that this valuable collection will now be housed permanently in Dublin, Christy Brown's home town" he said.

"I would like to congratulate the Acting Director of the National Library of Ireland, Catherine Fahy and the Director of the Little Museum of Dublin, Trevor White, for ensuring that this archival collection, a wonderful piece of our cultural and literary heritage, will be preserved for, and made accessible to, the people of Ireland" he added.

The story of Christy Brown achieved world-wide fame in the Oscar winning film, 'My Left Foot', where he was portrayed by Daniel-Day Lewis.