my whole life." Believing that the Americans should follow Irish policy, de Valera formed the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic in 1920 with help from the Philadelphia Clan na Gael. Devoy, who was suspicious of de Valera, had enormous admiration for Michael Collins, whom Devoy referred to as "Ireland's Fighting Chief". Diplomatic recognition was not yet forthcoming, and Irish-American groups refused to support Wilson. $5.5m was raised to aid the new Irish nation. Personal life Devoy never married and had no children. Around 1866, he became engaged to Eliza Kenny, the daughter of a local farmer. However, Devoy's arrest, conviction and subsequent transportation meant the marriage did not go ahead. Kenny waited for Devoy's return, but she eventually married Thomas Kilmurry in 1884. When Devoy returned to Ireland in 1924, Kenny, who was then an elderly widow, contacted Devoy's relatives in Dublin. Devoy had been under the assumption that Kenny had died, but that was actually Kenny's sister. After not having seen each other for 58 years, Devoy visited Kenny, who was living with her niece in Naas. Devoy and Kenny continued correspondence after his return to the United States, up until her death in 1927, aged 81. Later life and death Devoy was editor of The Gaelic American from 1903 until his death. He supported the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty and the formation of the Irish Free State during the Irish Civil War. In 1924, Devoy triumphantly returned to Ireland as an honoured guest of the Cumann na nGaedheal Government of W. T. Cosgrave. Devoy died from natural causes on 29 September 1928, aged 86, while visiting Atlantic City, New Jersey. His death caused widespread mourning. His body was returned to Ireland where a state funeral was held. He was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in June 1929. Devoy Barracks in Naas, Co. Kildare was named for him and housed the Irish Army Apprentice School from 1956 until its closure in 1998. A large memorial to him stands on the road between his native Kill and Johnstown. On 25 October 2016, a statue of Devoy was unveiled in Poplar Square, Naas, County Kildare. Bibliography Irish Rebel: John Devoy and America's Fight for Ireland's Freedom by Terry Golway (1999) The Greatest of the Fenians: John Devoy in Ireland by Terrence Dooley John Devoy's Catalpa Expedition by John Devoy () 'Recollections of an Irish Rebel by John Devoy (1929)