For all Kildare people IRISH REBEL is a must.Discover the life of an extrodinary man whose life as a political exile in America done more than probably any other Irishman to change the course of Irish history and direct it towards it,s eventual freedom.This well researched book by Terry Golway traces Devoy,s early life from humble beginnings as a young boy,through his early years as a young man recruiting other young men to the Fenian cause in the Naas area,his appointment as a recruiting officer of irishmen serving in the British army in Ireland,his capture and sentensing for his involvement for the noble cause.
The eventual amnesty for Fenian prisoners would result in his beginning as a political exile in Newyork lasting over fifty years.In Newyork he secured work as a journalist and his involvement with Clan Na Gael,eventually becoming the leader of all it,s branches throughout America.
During Devoy,s time as learder of Clan Na Gael,he was involved in many escapades.One of the many escapade was the rescue of six Fenian prisoners from Fremantle prison in Western Australia aboard The Catalpa whaling ship,his financing for the invention and building of the first submarine by John Holland,an immigrant from Liscannor in County Clare.With Michael Davitt,Devoy helped to set up the Land League in Ireland.The relationship he developed with the German Consul General in New York,Count Von Bennettorff,resulted in him securing thr arme for The 1916 Rising.Devoy also supported and gave his backing to Michael Collins in the quest for the formation of the Irish Free State.
During 1897,devoy with a number of other American Irishmen,including Theodore Roosevelt,founded The American Irish Historical Society which covers the histoy of the Irish diaspora in America and to this day covers all aspects of Irish culture in the form of lectures,musical recitals and art exibits.
During the summer of 1924,Devoy returns to Ireland visiting his relations in Dublin as well as visiting his childhood sweetheart,Eliza Killmurray in Naas.He would be a guest of honour in Croke Park at the opening of the Tailteann games.President Cosgrove saluted him with a banquet in Dublin,s Dolphin Hotel before his return to New York.
On his return to New York having seen his life,s political work completed,he would begin writing his memoirs which were mostly completed before his eventual death on the 29th.of September.1928.

Terry Golway,s book is called IRISH REBEL,John Devoy and America,s Fight For Irish Freedom.Published by St.Martin,s Press,Manhattan,New York.