13 Facts About James Gralton

James Gralton was an Irish socialist leader who became a United States citizen after emigrating in 1909 and, later, the only Irishman ever deported from independent Ireland.

James Gralton was born on 17 April 1886 in the townland of Effrinagh in Kiltoghert parish, about six miles from Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim.

James Gralton received his only formal education at Kiltoghert national school, which he left at the age of 12 to go work as a grocery boy in Carrick-on-Shannon.

James Gralton later went to work in Dublin as a bartender before joining the British army, serving first in the Royal Irish Regiment.

James Gralton emigrated to the United States in 1909, where he was granted US citizenship after briefly joining the US Navy.

James Gralton later worked around as a taxi-driver and barman.

In 1922 James Gralton returned to Ireland and Leitrim to fight in the Irish War of Independence.

James Gralton raised funds for the newly created Irish Republican Army as well as recruiting and training volunteers himself.

James Gralton ran the county's branch of the Revolutionary Workers' Group, a predecessor of the Communist Party of Ireland.

James Gralton reopened his old hall in Effrinagh and started to organise free events and spread his political views.

James Gralton went on the run while demanding a fair trial and received support from the Dublin based Revolutionary Workers Group.

Peadar O'Donnell travelled to Drumsna, County Leitrim for a public meeting in support of James Gralton but was violently attacked by locals led by the parish priest.

In October 1933 James Gralton stood unsuccessfully as a candidate for the Communist party in the 13th district of Manhattan, New York.