Anthony Lally – Dillon J. McCormick – Patrick A. Dougher – John F. Lavelle – Martin P. Ward – Martin J. Henehan

This book focuses on six men from Mayo – from Belmullet, Erris, Ballina, Achill, Islandeady, and Toormakeady – who left for America after the Famine. They were all native Irish speakers who went on to promote the Irish language.

Four of them were writers who all referenced the villages where they grew up in their writings, as well as international events. It’s clear that they had a strong connection with their hometowns. The poets, Lally and Dougher, wrote poems about Mayo but they were also intersted in international happenings and wrote about events in countries such as England, Syria, Venezuela, and Turkey. McCormick wrote prose and Ward wrote peoms and songs about Mayo for the readers of An Gaodhal.

Lavelle was involved with National Societies while he was in Cleveland and he was one of the founders of the first Gaelic League in Canada. Henehan, who was friendly with Eoghan Ó Gramhnaigh, was the main founder of the Gaelic League of America.

Fionnuala Uí Fhlannagáin provides details of these six men and gives us an insight into their standing and status amongst the Irish in America.