Fenian

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 especially in Scotland and Northern Ireland, 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 are traditionally (sometimes incorrectly) seen as supporters of Irish nationalism. The term in its more modern usage is often considered offensive and a sectarian insult.

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 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. It is also sometimes used as a general swear word or insult. Many supporters of Irish republicanism label themselves as "fenians".

Scotland

The term Fenian is used similarly in western Scotland. During Scottish football matches it is often aimed by some supporters of other clubs, particularly Rangers, Hearts, Motherwell and Dundee at Celtic F.C. supportershttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4918702.stm. Celtic F.C. has its roots in Glasgow's immigrant Irish population and the club has thus been traditionally associated with Irish nationalism.

Although it is widely considered to be an insult against Roman Catholics in general (when directed, for example, at pupils of Catholic schools), many who use the term maintain that they do not refer simply to Roman Catholics, but to supporters of Irish nationalism in particular or as a pejorative term for Celtic supporters. Protestant Celtic players such as 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

See also

*Fenian Brotherhood
*Fenian Cycle
*Fenian raids
*Fenian Ram
*Taig

External links

*BBC History article on the Irish Republican Brotherhood
*1865 newspaper Article describing the Fenians

Footnotes

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.