The Hairshirt On Peacock Alley ; He Attracted Bigger Crowds Than Babe Ruth and Men Wept When Theysawhim,but Did 18 Months in America Give de Valera His Political Awakening or an Insatiable Appetite for Life High On the Hog?

Summary

---

THE car journey from the San Francisco Ferry Terminal to the St. Francis Hotel was interrupted by an earnest deputation from the Ancient Order of Hibernians. They requested the driver turn the engine off so they might have the honour and privilege of personally dragging Eamon de Valera's vehicle the rest of the way to its destination. Ropes were quickly attached and six proud men then hauled the automobile to the haughty establishment overlooking Union Square.

Passers-by stood and stared but for Irish-Americans who never thought they'd live to see anybody claiming to be President of Ireland, the symbolism of de Valera's arrival in California was too good an opportunity to pass up.

See the full content of this document

Extract

---

The Hairshirt On Peacock Alley ; He Attracted Bigger Crowds Than Babe Ruth and Men Wept When Theysawhim,but Did 18 Months in America Give de Valera His Political Awakening or an Insatiable Appetite for Life High On the Hog?

When he finally alighted from the car, a group of young girls wearing traditional Irish costumes formed a guard of honour at the hotel entrance. They threw flower petals in his path and a garland of roses was produced and placed upon his head.

The adulation foisted upon de Valera that summer afternoon is only one snapshot of the overwhelming acclaim he received during the 18 months he spent touring the ...

See the full content of this document

---