''A Romance and a Tragedy'' John Devoy's Love Story Devoy (John) A most interesting collection of Photographs and documents, telling the poignant story of the Fenian leader's lost love,...

''A Romance and a Tragedy'' John Devoy's Love Story Devoy (John) A most interesting collection of Photographs and documents, telling the poignant story of the Fenian leader's lost love, including: - a very good original Photograph of Ms. Eliza Kenny as a young girl, when she was engaged to marry John Devoy. - a photo of the same lady in late middle age, now Mrs. Elizabeth Kilmurray (2 copies), and another of Mrs. Kilmurray with her niece Mary Curley. - a copy of The Gaelic American, 19 March 1927, worn, including an obituary account of Mrs. Kilmurray and of the circumstances which prevented her marriage to Devoy. After his arrest and imprisonment, the young lady said she would wait for hi, and did so although he had released her from her promise. However, he was mistakenly told she had married, and subsequently that she had died, due to confusion with her sister, and so did not send for her. In due course she married someone else. Devoy remained unmarried, and was amazed to find her still alive when he returned to Ireland in 1924; - a contemporary photograph of 'The Cuba Five,' the released Fenian prisoners including Devoy and Rossa deported to the United States on the steamship Cuba, in 1871, inscribed at rear by Devoy circa 1924, 'To Mrs. E. Killmurray, nee Eliza Kenny, in loving memory of our engagement when she was a fine girl of 20 (1866) and with deep regret at the misfortunes which separated us. From John Devoy, New York, July 21;' - a 1924 snapshot of John Devoy in Dublin with his Irish niece & nephew; - two reproduced photos of Devoy during his Irish visit, one with President Cosgrave; - a mounted photograph of Devoy's coffin with tricolour, and guard of honour. * John Devoy, 1842 - 1928, from Johnstown, Co. Kildare, was a Fenian organiser in 1865-6. Sentenced to 15 years in jail, he was released in 1871 on condition he did not re-enter the United Kingdom and went to the United States where he became leader of Clan na-Gael, the IRB's American counterpart. He supported successive Irish leaders including Davitt, Parnell and Tom Clarke, and was still actively involved in Irish Revolutionary affairs in 1916. He supported the Treaty as a necessary step to full Irish Independence, and re-turned to Ireland briefly in 1924. On his death the London ''Times'' said he was the most persistent and dangerous enemy of England which Ireland had produced since Wolfe Tone; a verdict which no doubt would have pleased him greatly. As a collection. rare. (1)

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