Information AboutFenians |
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Etymology The term derives from the Irish ''Na Fianna'' or '' Na Fianna Éireann '' who in Celtic Mythology were a band of warriors formed to protect Ireland, Fionn Mac Cumhaill being the most famous of its warriors. Historical usage The Fenian Brotherhood , the Irish Republican Brotherhood's American branch, was founded in 1858 by John O'Mahony , James Stephens , and Michael Doheny, to gain Irish-American support for armed rebellion in Ireland. Initially, O'Mahony ran operations in the USA, sending funds to Stephens and the IRB in Ireland. The U.S. chapter of the movement was also sometimes referred to as the IRB, and later as Clan Na Gael . "Fenian" is the sole Epitaph on the headstone of Tom Clarke , in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin . Clarke was executed by British Army firing squad after the Easter Rising of 1916 . Contemporary usage Northern Ireland In Northern Ireland , "Fenian" is used by some Loyalist s as a derogatory term for Roman Catholic s or Irish nationalists (often inaccurately seen to be synonymous), and is generally considered by Catholics, and many Protestants , to be highly offensive. It is also sometimes used as a general Swear Word or Insult . Scotland The term "Fenian" is used in western Scotland to describe people of Irish descent, particularly during Old Firm football matches where it is usually aimed at Celtic F.C. supporters. Celtic F.C. has its roots in Glasgow 's immigrant Irish Population , and so the implication is that fans of the team support the Irish Republican Movement in general (and the Provisional IRA in particular). Despite the derogatory use of the term to refer to Catholics, some would argue that in Scotland, the epithet is levelled almost exclusively at Celtic supporters. As Celtic F.C. has a fair proportion of supporters who are non-Catholic, such as Protestants, Muslims and indeed Athiests and Agnostics, it has been suggested that the usage of the term in football is Non-sectarian . In 2006 , the Union Of European Football Associations , Europe an football's governing body, ruled that the term "Fenian" had been allowed to fester for so long in Scottish Football , that it would be almost impossible to challenge it. Perhaps wisely, given the ambiguity over the actual definition of the word. See also External links
Fenian is also the name of the horse that won the Belmont Stakes in 1869 . His image appears atop the trophy awarded to the winner of the Belmont Stakes. |