Ode to John Devoy, a Forgotten Hero

A forgotten hero it has been said
Was born in Kill at a time many tears in this country were shed
Just before the Great Hunger this child did arrive
And lucky for us Irish he was one who would survive

An immense gra for Irish freedom he held in his heart
And it was when he was young that he first made a start
In his quest to release us Irish from beneath British rule
He was beaten for not singing “God Save the Queen” in his school

Involved in three wars he was one of a few
To take part in all conflicts and see their goal through
A Republic in their beloved homeland they could agree
Was progress for the Irish to not have to bend the knee

Unfortunately for the crime of treason he was tried
And he served three years before he was exiled
Along with four other Fenians on The Cuba he went
And the rest of his life in America he spent

While exiled in America his work did not cease
For his homeland and kin still had no peace
To the Irish diaspora he sent a patriotic plea
To aid their beloved country and finally be free

The money he raised all went to the cause
And even though exiled he still came home without pause
To deliver some money into a Fenian brothers hand
Which would aid the boys in freeing their land

In 1876 he came up with a plan
To rescue six Fenians who were part of his clan
He sent the Catalpa to the Australian shore
To bring the men back to America, oh the British did roar

This man also played a role in funding the first sub
Which was to be used to deliver the Brits a good drub
J.P. Holland had invented the Fenian Ram submarine
The intention to attack the UK with this mighty machine

Sadly for John he never did marry
But a love for a woman in his heart he did carry
In later years when he returned to his land
He met with this woman and again held her hand

Alas time had passed and they were both of an age
Where a marriage was not possible at this late stage
But they spent time together reminiscing the past
And talking about a possible peace in Ireland at last

In 1928 this Fenian passed on
And there was huge sadness in Ireland a hero was gone
In June ‘29 aboard the SS Harding he returned one last time
To his homeland that had shifted to a new paradigm

That John Devoy is a hero is without doubt
A man of immense standing with incredible clout
His whole life was dedicated to help us be free
And as a result in this Republic we no longer bend a knee.

Kee Ní G

Addendum:

I was inspired to write this poem as a tribute to John Devoy after meeting a relative of his and hearing some of his life story. I had heard of the Catalpa rescue but I was not aware of John's role in this or of the extent of his tireless work to free Ireland from British rule. 

It was not possible to include all of his endeavors here in this poem but it is very clear that John Devoy was dedicated to his country for most of his 86 years and showed a huge tenacity and determination to free our country. There was a time when he was called a forgotten hero but lately he has been honored in his home county of Kildare and tributes have been erected in remembrance of him.

He was a true Irishman and Pearse once referred to him as “the greatest Fenian of all time” and the London times referred to him as “the most bitter and persistent, as well as the most dangerous, enemy of the country which Ireland has produced since Wolfe Tone”. 

He did get to return to Ireland in 1924 to see a Republic established here and it has been noted that he was moved to tears when he read our Proclamation. His work in America while in forced exile was paramount in enabling Irish men to fight for our country's freedom. John Devoy was brought home to Ireland and is buried in Glasnevin cemetery.