Fenian is a term used since the 1850s for Irish nationalists (who oppose British rule in Ireland). It can also specifically refer to members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (see Historical usage below). The term is still used today, especially in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland, where its original meaning has continued and possibly expanded to include all supporters of Irish nationalism and by extension Roman Catholics of Irish descent, many of whom stereotypically are seen as supporters of Irish nationalism. The term in its more modern usage is often considered offensive and a sectarian insult.^[1] For the game, see: 1850 (board game) 1850 (MDCCCL) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Irish nationalism refers to political movements that desire greater autonomy or the independence of Ireland from Great Britain. ... The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB; Bráithreachas na Poblachta in Irish) was a secret fraternal organisation dedicated to fomenting armed revolt against the British state in Ireland in the nineteenth century and early twentieth century. ... Sectarianism refers (usually pejoratively) to a rigid adherence to a particular sect or party or religious denomination. ...

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. In Irish mythology, the Fianna were Irish warrior-hunters who served the High King of Ireland in the 3rd century AD. Their adventures were recorded in the Fenian Cycle. ... Celtic mythology is the mythology of Celtic polytheism, apparently the religion of the Iron Age Celts. ... Fionn mac Cumhaill (pronounced /fʲiːn̪ˠ mË ak kuwaːlʲ/ in Irish or /fɪn mɘ kuːl/ in English) (earlier Finn or Find mac Cumail or mac Umaill, later Anglicised to Finn McCool) was a mythical hunter-warrior of Irish mythology, occurring also in the mythologies of Scotland...

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. The Fenian Brotherhood was an Irish nationalist organization based in the United States in the mid-nineteenth century. ... Year 1858 (MDCCCLVIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... John OMahony was one of the founders of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. ... James Stephens (1825 - 1901) was also an Irish nationalist who founded the Irish Republican Brotherhood around 1850. ... Michael Doheny (May 22, 1805-April 1, 1863) was an Irish writer and member of the Young Ireland movement. ... The term Nativism is used in both politics and psychology in two fundamentally different ways. ... Irish population density in the United States, 1872. ... IRB is a TLA for International Rugby Board Irish Republican Brotherhood Institutional Review Board This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... OMahony is a surname, and may refer to: Daniel OMahony, author. ... With Irish immigration to the United States of America in the 18th_century there arose Irish ethnic organizations. ...

"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. An epitaph ( literally: on the gravestone in ancient Greek) is text honoring the deceased, most commonly inscribed on a tombstone or plaque. ... Thomas James (Tom) Clarke (Irish name: Tomás Ó Cléirigh; 11 March 1857 – 3 May 1916) was an Irish revolutionary leader and arguably the person most responsible for the 1916 Easter Rising. ... Glasnevin Cemetery The round tower (centre) stands over the tomb of Daniel OConnell Glasnevin gravestones Glasnevin Cemetery, also known as Prospect Cemetery, is the main Catholic cemetery in Dublin, the capital of Ireland. ... Dublin city centre at night WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Statistics Province: Leinster County: Dáil Éireann: Dublin Central, Dublin North Central, Dublin North East, Dublin North West, Dublin South Central, Dublin South East European Parliament: Dublin Dialling Code: +353 1 Postal District(s): D1-24, D6W Area: 114. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Combatants Irish Volunteers, Irish Citizen Army, Irish Republican Brotherhood British Army Royal Irish Constabulary Commanders Patrick Pearse, James Connolly Brigadier-General Lowe General Sir John Maxwell Strength 1250 in Dublin, c. ...

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. The Fenian Brotherhood was an Irish nationalist organization based in the United States in the mid-nineteenth century. ... Fenian Monument - Queens Park, Toronto Canada ca. ...

A suspected Fenian, Patrick Whelan was hanged in Ottawa for the assassination of Irish-Canadian nationalist, Thomas D'Arcy McGee in 1868. Patrick James Whelan (c. ... Assassin and Assassins redirect here. ... McGee in 1868 Thomas DArcy McGee, PC, (April 13, 1825 – April 7, 1868) was a Canadian journalist and Father of Confederation. ...

Contemporary usage

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, Fenian is used by some as a term for Roman Catholics or Irish nationalists (often inaccurately seen to be synonymous), and is generally considered by many people (both Catholic and Protestant) to be offensive. Northern Ireland (Irish: ) is a part of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 km², about a sixth of the islands total area). ... “Catholic Church” redirects here. ... Protestantism encompasses the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated with the doctrines of the Reformation. ...

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.^[2] Unionism, in the context of Ireland, is a belief in the continuation of the Act of Union 1800 (as amended by the Government of Ireland Act 1920) so that Northern Ireland (created by the 1920 Act) remains part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ... The Ulster Volunteer Force (more commonly referred to as the UVF) is a loyalist group in Northern Ireland. ... George Seawright was a controversial Unionist politician in Northern Ireland who was killed in the Troubles. ... “Union Jack” redirects here. ... Catholic schools are education ministries of the Roman Catholic Church. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The Holy Cross dispute occurred in 2001 and 2002 in the Ardoyne area of Belfast, Northern Ireland, and involved an escalating dispute between a Nationalist community and the residents of loyalist area that was on route to the front entrance of a local Catholic primary school. ...

It is also sometimes used as a general swear word or insult. Look up Profanity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... An insult is a statement or action which affronts or demeans someone. ...

Fianna Fáil is also the name of the Republican Party in the Republic of Ireland. Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (Irish: ), commonly referred to as Fianna Fáil (IPA ; traditionally translated by the party into English as Soldiers of Destiny, though the actual meaning is Soldiers [Fianna] of Ireland[1]), is currently the largest political party in Ireland with 55,000 members. ...

Scotland

The term Fenian is used similarly in Scotland. During Scottish football matches it is often aimed by some supporters of other clubs, particularly Rangers, at Celtic F.C. supporters.^[3] Celtic F.C. has its roots in Glasgow'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.^[4] This article is about the country. ... A player (wearing the red kit) has penetrated the defence (in the white kit) and is taking a shot at goal. ... For other uses, see Rangers F.C. (disambiguation). ... Celtic Football Club (pronounced seltik in IPA; AIM: CCP)[1] is a Scottish football club, competing in the Scottish Premier League, the highest form of competition in Scotland. ... For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... The Irish community in Britain are residents of Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) whose birth place and/or ancestry originates in the island nation of Ireland. ... Wolverhampton Town is a song sung by fans of the Scottish football club, Rangers. ...

Although it is considered to be an insult against Roman Catholics, many maintain ^{[citation needed]} that it does not refer to Roman Catholics in general, but to supporters of Irish nationalism or as a pejorative term for Celtic supporters.^[5] 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?".^[6] John Jock Stein CBE (5 October 1922 - 10 September 1985) was one of the most notable managers in British football history. ... Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish MBE (born 4 March 1951 in Dalmarnock, Glasgow) is a former Scottish international football player. ... Daniel Fergus Danny McGrain (born in Glasgow May 1, 1950) is a former professional footballer who played for Celtic F.C. in defence. ... Davie Provan (born 8 May 1956 at Gourock, Scotland) is a former Scottish footballer. ... Paul Lambert (born August 7, 1969) is a Scottish former footballer and football manager. ... Chris Burke (2 December 1983) is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for Rangers F.C. in the Scottish Premier League. ...

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. This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... In most common law jurisdictions, the Attorney General is the main legal adviser to the government, and in some jurisdictions may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions. ... Capital Adelaide Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 11  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $59,819 (5th)  - Product per capita  $38,838/person (7th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  1,558,200 (5th)  - Density  1. ... For information about The Times satire Queens Counsel, see Queens Counsel (comic strip). ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the monarchy of the United Kingdom, one of sixteen that share a common monarch; for information about this constitutional relationship, see Commonwealth realm; for information on the reigning monarch, see Elizabeth II. For information about other Commonwealth realm monarchies, as well as other relevant articles, see...

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. The Belmont Stakes is a prestigious Grade I stakes race held yearly in June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. ...

See also

• Fenian Brotherhood
• Fenian Cycle
• Fenian raids
• Fenian Ram
• Taig

The Fenian Brotherhood was an Irish nationalist organization based in the United States in the mid-nineteenth century. ... The Fenian Cycle also known as the Fionn Cycle, Finn Cycle, Fianna Cycle, Finnian Tales, Fian Tales, Féinne Cycle, Feinné Cycle, Ossianic Cycle and Fianaigecht, is a body of prose and verse centering on the exploits of the mythic hero Fionn mac Cumhaill and his warriors the Fianna Éireann. ... Fenian Monument - Queens Park, Toronto Canada ca. ... The submarine Fenian Ram was designed by John Philip Holland for use by the Fenian Brotherhood against the British. ... Taig (also Teague) is a slang term used by some in Scotland and Northern Ireland to refer to Irish Roman Catholics. ...

External links

• BBC History article on the Irish Republican Brotherhood
• 1865 newspaper Article describing the Fenians
• History Learning Site > Ireland 1848 to 1922 > The Fenian Movement
• The Fenian Movement in the US including digitized materials about their activities. From the Immigration to the United States, 1789-1930 collection, Harvard University Library Open Collections Program

Footnotes

1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary definition: "informal, offensive (chiefly in Northern Ireland) a Protestant name for a Catholic". Accessed Wednesday 14 February 2007.
2. ^ http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=9601&pt=
3. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4918702.stm
4. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/5244022.stm
5. ^ http://www.sundayherald.com/57582
6. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/offtheball/illinformer/?2004/03/29