In 1861, 47 families were driven from their homes in Donegal’s Derryveagh Evictions. More than 160 years later, playwright Kieran Kelly discovered his ancestors were among them—and began bringing their story to the stage. My latest: codymcdevitt.substack.com/p/the-famili...

The Families Derryveagh Scattered Across the World

In 1861, a Donegal landlord expelled 47 families from his estate. Some entered the workhouse. Others crossed oceans. Centuries later, their descendants are still trying to reconstruct the event.

codymcdevitt.substack.com

religiondispatches.org/2026/08/12/a...

'Abortion Was Not a Problem for Me' — Remembering the Clergy Consultation Service

In recent months, the Southern Baptist Convention adopted a resolution describing abortion as sinful; Vice President JD Vance, comparing abortion to child sacrifice, told March for Life attendees that...

religiondispatches.org

codymcdevitt.substack.com/p/i-went-to-...

I Went to Donegal Looking for My Ancestors. I Left Understanding Their World

Tracing one ancestor's journey led to an unexpected exploration of County Donegal's landscapes, history and the traditions that shaped generations before they crossed the Atlantic.

codymcdevitt.substack.com

This past May, @codymcdevitt.bsky.social wrote about how the post-Dobbs practice of forcing patients to prove “medical necessity” in states with abortion bans is reminiscent of the pre-Roe v. Wade status quo:

Forcing Abortion Patients to Prove 'Medical Necessity' Recalls Pre-'Roe' Era: Analysis

Before 1973, doctors decided who could access abortion care. That system is back in abortion ban states—and a new book traces how we got here.

rewirenewsgroup.com

Here's some more invaluable political advice that I don't make a dime off of, but is worth more than the overpaid and useless consultants that run the Democratic Party. reprorights.substack.com/p/the-post-d...

The Post-Dobbs Abortion Rights Movement Should Not Retreat

A movement founded to legalize abortion where it is illegal cannot fulfill its mission by abandoning the states where the fight is hardest.

reprorights.substack.com

I say things now freely because I'm deeply skeptical that people who don't and haven't wanted to concede basic happiness are going to suddenly grant you the dream life. My sense is that those promises are designed to tantalize so you don't say and do things that will cost them power.

I’ve realized that what many people call “good optics” often amounts to placating the loudest or most upset people in the room. That’s not always leadership. Sometimes it’s just conflict avoidance dressed up as strategy. That’s abdicating responsibilities.

This wonderful guy, Henry Doohan, toured me around County Donegal this week. He told me about mythology, history and lifestyles of the area that had chain migration to western Pennsylvania. I highly recommend all Irish Americans from Pittsburgh to book him through his company Donegal Tour Guide.

In Northern Ireland, the walls tell you where you are. Nationalist neighborhoods honor the civil rights movement, Irish reunification and, in many cases, express solidarity with Palestine. They’re reminders that history here isn’t just remembered—it still shapes the present.

Today I stood beneath Donegal waterfalls, explored ancient stone forts and castle ruins, and looked across the Atlantic from the same hills my McDevitt ancestors once called home. Every stop made Ireland’s history feel less like something I studied—and more like something I inherited. 🇮🇪🍀

One thing that struck me is how few people seemed to realize Jack Schlossberg is a Kennedy. “Schlossberg” isn’t a household name the way “Kennedy” is, so many people assumed he came from a different background rather than recognizing him as the grandson of America’s first Irish Catholic president.

Today I walked where my McDevitt ancestors lived, worshipped and looked out over the Atlantic. From Carrick and Donegal Bay to Slieve League and an ancient church where faith endured despite persecution, Ireland stopped being genealogy on paper. It became family, memory and place.

The courts have spoken. Now it's our turn. Indiana state director Haley Bougher spoke with Repro Rights NOW / @codymcdevitt.bsky.social about what comes next: organizing our communities and building public support into political power. Read the interview here:

In Indiana, the Fight for Abortion Rights Enters a New Phase

After the Indiana Supreme Court upheld the state's abortion ban, advocates say the battle has shifted from the courts to long-term organizing, coalition-building, and electoral change.

reprorights.substack.com

Outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, beginning a journey to Donegal, homeland of my ancestors. Family lore says our ancestors invited St. Patrick onto their lands to baptize the people there. Through plantation, famine and emigration, they endured. Now I’m following their footsteps home. 🇮🇪☘️

I don't know if Pete Rose or Shoeless Joe should be in the Hall of Fame. But Barry Bonds definitely should have a place. Players should be judged in the context of the area, and it's naive to believe that steroid use wasn't prevalent then.

Carnegie Mellon University should launch a program to teach students journalism and the industry's problems, so they can develop AI-driven solutions that might put the industry on more solid ground. These are our greatest thinkers, and if we could work with them, it would improve.

It’s not elitist to think you shouldn’t have a cage match outside the white house or that you should dress professionally for situations like court appearances, weddings or interviews. Serving in Congress is also something we’d want to look professional for. So yes, I think they should wear suits.

I’m pleased to share that Given No Choice: A History of Abortion Rights received a positive review from Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus called it a “well-researched overview of the struggle for abortion rights in America.” www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...

GIVEN NO CHOICE | Kirkus Reviews

A journalist surveys the history of the abortion rights movement.

kirkusreviews.com

When people talk about the glue that holds us together, there is nothing that has historically done it more than baseball. That's why I want them to fix it this offseason to have payroll parity. Players should earn collectively as much. But salaries should be distributed evenly across teams.

I'm hoping they fix baseball this offseason by creating payroll parity between the poorer and richer markets. The players should earn as much in collective salaries as they do now, but talent should be evenly spread across teams. That means the Pirates spend more, and the Dodgers spend less.

If you're asking me, Tina Fey should take over SNL when Lorne Michaels retires. She's the most deserving and talented comedian to emerge from that program in the last 30 years. The most talented writer. The most accomplished. And sexism shouldn't deprive her of what she earned.

Generally speaking, I think presidents should be in their late 40s or early 50s. And I hope we stop nominating or electing people approaching 70 or older.

I’ve developed a patience that I didn’t have when I was younger. Is it frustrating dealing with leaders who don’t correspond with you, evade acknowledgment, and don’t establish plans to reach your goals? Yes. But all you can do is keep working and hope someone steps up.

Are there any comic book illustrators who would be interested in working on a crime noir work set in Pittsburgh? Can’t pay right now, but will split royalties.

I’ve heard from younger people that they’re the first generation without pop culture figures. I feel for you. And if I could, I would champion your work and help. But I drive Uber and deliver food for a living, so I’m in no position to do so.

Are there any legit male movie stars under 40? I mean box office draws.

A recap of the books we’ve spotlighted in the past few days. www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/features/our... @bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social @scribnerbooks.bsky.social @regalhouse.bsky.social @codymcdevitt.bsky.social #booksky

Our Week in Reviews: 6/6/26 | Washington Independent Review of Books

The Independent is an important voice in the community of readers and writers dedicated to book reviews and writing about the world of books.

washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com

Thanks to the reviewer for taking the time to read and evaluate my work. Anyone else is welcome to do so on Goodreads and Amazon.

Washington Independent Review of Books@wirobooks.bsky.social · 3mo ago

An edifying look at the fight for bodily autonomy. www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/g... @codymcdevitt.bsky.social #booksky

indiereader.com/book_review/...

GIVEN NO CHOICE: A History of Abortion Rights | IndieReader

Journalist Cody McDevitt takes readers on a tour through the history of one of America's most bitter and enduring cultural debates.

indiereader.com