James McNulty (Irish activist)

James McNulty Séamus Mac an Ultaigh (1890–1977) was an activist for Irish independence and served as the commandant of the Doe Battalion of the Irish Volunteers during the 1916 Easter Rising in County Donegal, Ireland, and was a stonemason by trade.

James McNulty was born on January 1, 1890 in Feymore, Creeslough, County Donegal, Ireland. James was one of seven children born to Patrick McNulty and Catherine Murray.

James McNulty emigrated to the United States in about 1908 to join family members in Philadelphia, PA. He apprenticed as a stonemason with John B. Kelly Sr., US Olympian and the father of actress, Grace Kelly. They often worked together and became lifelong friends. During his time in Philadelphia, James became interested in Irish politics. In March 1914, McNulty joined the Irish Volunteers and was an active member of the Clan na Gael. He became acquainted with Joseph McGarrity, an important financier for Irish independence, who introduced James to many principal leaders in the cause.

At the request of John Devoy, the leader of the Clan na Gael, and Tom Clarke, the architect of the Easter Rising, James returned to Ireland in 1915, while recovering from Typhoid fever He served as a company captain, recruiter, organiser, trainer and the Commandant of the Doe Battalion in Donegal County. In February, 1916, in an effort to improve morale and attract new recruits to the Volunteers, James, along with IRB member Daniel Kelly, organised a rally at Doe Castle at Sheephaven Bay, near Creeslough.Patrick Pearse, the spokesman of the Rising, was scheduled to attend, however the planning of the forthcoming events in Dublin prevented him from travelling at that time. Two months later, on Easter Monday, 24 April 1916, during the Easter Rising, Contrary to instructions from Eoin MacNeill, James and Daniel mobilised a group of 33 men in Creeslough and awaited further orders, which never arrived. Due to poor communication and conflicting commands, the group never mobilised. Although similar groups formed throughout the country, the bulk of the fighting was contained within the city limits of Dublin.

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