| Fenians |
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| irish rebellions | |
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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 Ireland The Fenian Brotherhood was initially founded in 1858 as the Irish Republican Brotherhood's American branch by John O'Mahony , James Stephens , and Michael Doheny . In the face of Nativist suspicion, it quickly established an independent existence, although it still worked 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 , disagreement over O'Mahony 's leadership led to the formation of two Fenian Brotherhoods in 1865. The U.S. chapter of the movement was also sometimes referred to as the IRB. After the failed invasion of Canada, it was replaced by 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. Canada In Canada , "Fenian" is used to designate a group of Irish radicals, a.k.a. the American branch of the Fenian Brotherhood in the 1860s. They made several attempts (1866, 1870, etc.) to invade some parts of southern Canada which was a British dominion at the time. The ultimate goal of the Fenian Raids was to hold Canada hostage and therefore be in a position to ask the United Kingdom to give Ireland its independence. Because of the invasion attempts, support and/or collaboration for the Fenians in Canada became very rare even amongst the Irish Catholics. A suspected Fenian, Patrick Whelan was hanged in Ottawa for the Assassination of Irish-Canadian nationalist, Thomas D'Arcy McGee in 1868. CONTEMPORARY USAGE Northern Ireland In Northern Ireland , ''Fenian'' is used by some as a term for Roman Catholic s or Irish nationalists (often inaccurately seen to be synonymous), and is generally considered by many people (both Catholic and Protestant ) to be offensive. In 1984, the Unionist politician and UVF member George Seawright caused outrage at a meeting of the Belfast Education and Library Board by saying that Catholics who objected to the flying of the Union Flag were "just fenian scum who have been indoctrinated by the Catholic church". "Fenian scum" was also one of the insults shouted at the parents of Catholic Schoolgirls by Loyalist protesters in the Holy Cross Dispute .http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=9601&pt= It is also sometimes used as a general Swear Word or Insult . Fianna Fáil is also the name of the Republican Party in the Republic Of Ireland . Scotland The term ''Fenian'' is used similarly in 's immigrant Catholic Irish Population and the club has thus been traditionally associated with Irish nationalism. In a bid to eradicate "discriminatory chanting", Rangers have attempted to encourage the singing of more traditional songs such as '' Wolverhampton Town ''.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/5244022.stm Although it is considered to be an insult against Roman Catholics, many maintain that it does not refer to Roman Catholics in general, but to supporters of Irish nationalism or as a pejorative term for Celtic supporters.http://www.sundayherald.com/57582 Protestant Celtic players such as Jock Stein , Kenny Dalglish , Danny McGrain , Davie Provan and Paul Lambert have not been spared this name from opposing supporters. Recently, Celtic supporters have been reported as ironically deriding current Roman Catholic Rangers player Chris Burke with the phrase "Who's the fenian in the blue?".http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/offtheball/illinformer/?2004/03/29 Australia In Australia ''Fenian'' is used as a pejorative term for those members of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) who have Australian Nationalist views similar to those of the Irish Catholic supporters of Irish independence. Michael Atkinson, Attorney General of South Australia , spoke of those members of the ALP who wished to remove the title Queen's Counsel and other references to the crown as 'Fenians and Bolsheviks' in a speech given at the ALP Convention in Adelaide on 15 October 2006 . Irish Catholics have been traditional supporters of the ALP and have influenced the party's platform regarding the Monarchy . RACEHORSE ''Fenian'' is also the name of the horse that won the Belmont Stakes in 1869. His image appears on the trophy awarded to the winner of the Belmont Stakes. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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