James Gralton (17 April 1886 – 29 December 1945) was an Irish socialist leader who became a United States citizen after emigrating in 1909 and, later, the only Irishman ever deported from independent Ireland.

[1][2][3][4] James Gralton was born on 17 April 1886 in the townland of Effrinagh in Kiltoghert parish, about six miles from Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim.

However, after being disciplined for refusing to serve with his regiment in India, he deserted and spent some time working in the Liverpool docks and Welsh coalmines.

Around the same time Gralton built on his own land a Pearse–Connolly memorial hall with the aid of local volunteer labour, which was used to provide educational classes for young school-leavers and social events.

[6] Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Gralton came to be viewed with suspicion, particularly by members of the National Army, who arrested him for taking forceful possession of disputed land.

[6] As a "convinced communist and atheist", being expelled from Fianna Fáil and joining the IRA, Gralton was developing a reputation as an agitator in Leitrim.

[10] Gralton went on the run while demanding a fair trial and received support from the Dublin based Revolutionary Workers Group.

The IRA army council forbade the socialists Frank Ryan and Mick Price from campaigning in Leitrim on Gralton's behalf.

Peadar O'Donnell travelled to Drumsna, County Leitrim for a public meeting in support of Gralton but was violently attacked by locals led by the parish priest.

[6] As a member of the New York based Irish Workers Club, Gralton ran courses, spreading the teachings of James Connolly.

[13] Shortly before his death from stomach cancer, in New York on 29 December 1945, he married Bessie Cronogue (d. 1975), a woman from Drumsna, near where he had been brought up.

The stone edifice, which tells the story of Gralton's life as a labour campaigner, was partially funded by the trade union movement.