and the infant Labour Party. This put the Irish Nationalists in a position of influence and almost guaranteed the introduction of a Home Rule Bill. Boyle contested North Mayo and was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP), defeating a Mr. Egan (Independent) after a "lively campaign." North American Visit On 9 September 1910 the Manchester & Salford District of the United Irish League of Great Britain organised a send off for Dan Boyle, which took place in the Marble Hall, Albion Hotel, Manchester. Boyle was leaving for the United States on what was described as a "mission to the Irish Race of America" in the company of fellow MPs John Redmond, T.P. O’Connor and Joe Devlin. The evening was chaired by Daniel McCabe and the programme consisted of familiar songs ("Ireland A Nation", "Men of the West", "Paddies Evermore" and "the Boys of Wexford"), interspersed by toasts, one of which was made by John Dulanty (later the Irish High Commissioner in London), who described Boyle as "the spearhead of the shaft of the Irish forces in this vicinity". Replying to the toast Dan Boyle said that he looked upon his selection as one of the mission to the United States as a compliment to the Irishmen of Great Britain, who had shown unswerving fidelity to the Irish cause through trying times. "I believe that this is a period for the rank and file of the party to stand solidly and united behind their leaders, to do the thinking and working out of the plan of campaign. I believe at the present time we have leaders – I do not say merely a leader – who deserve, command, aye and receive a full measure of the confidence of the Irish people, whether in Ireland, in England or America. As a result of the statesmanship and diplomacy that these leaders have shown I believe our cause is nearer accomplishment than it ever was, and as Mr. Redmond recently said at Kilkenny, even the stars in the courses are working for Home Rule." Boyle and his wife actually set off to Ireland to visit his constituency in North Mayo before joining his companions for the voyage to the United States, where they attended the conference of the National Convention of the United Irish League. The visit was denounced by Sinn Féin. Member of Parliament Although a new political career had opened up,