The Fenian Raids

November 19, 2005 7:35 PM

During the middle of the 19th Century, a series of factors combined to create a new Irish patriotic movement. This organization was a revolutionary group dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland. It had its roots in both the United States and Ireland and was popularly known as The Fenian Movement, in honour of the Fianna, the ancient Irish warriors.
posted by Shanachie (8 comments total)

I recently learned that my great-grandfather, and his father, were members of the RIC, the Royal Irish Constabulary. Needless to say, this family secret was quite surprising. Doubtless they cracked a few Fenian heads in their day.
posted by meehawl at 7:59 PM on November 19, 2005

Makes me want to wear my Unrepentant Fenian Bastard t-shirt. Nice post.
posted by milquetoast at 1:48 AM on November 20, 2005

Good post, growing up in Ireland, we learned almost nothing of the Fenian movement in the USA. I come here to be educated!
I found the explanations in Answers.com fascinating, e.g.
"The famine of the 1840s brought to a crisis Irish discontent with English rule," Discontent. Hmm. Although my generation was one of the first to receive history lessons that were not 100% propaganda, it still feels strange to use a word like "discontent" to describe the immediate aftermath of the famine.
posted by Wilder at 3:27 AM on November 20, 2005

Makes me want to wear my "No Faith, No Flag, No Fool" T- shirt.
posted by Decani at 7:05 AM on November 20, 2005

Is this being posted because Rangers lost yesterday?
posted by First Post at 8:21 AM on November 20, 2005

i, not so recently, learned that my great grandfather was a fairly high ranking member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and was interned in an army camp 300ish miles from where he was caught.

He was going to be shot but then the 1921 Treaty was signed and he was spared.

By chance, I grew up within 10 miles of the camp he was interned in, Abercorn barracks at Ballykinlar, Co. Down.
posted by knapah at 9:09 AM on November 20, 2005

They also bombed London. More on the aftermath of the London bomb attack.
posted by alasdair at 12:39 AM on November 21, 2005

Is this being posted because Rangers lost yesterday?

Don't be silly. Rangers lose most days.
posted by bobbyelliott at 2:15 PM on November 22, 2005