Fenian

Fenian Originally a member of a secret revolutionary society, named after the Fianna, the Irish armed force in legendary times. Founded as the Fenian Brotherhood in the USA by John O'Mahony and as the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) by James Stephens in Ireland (1858), the name was later applied to supporters of Irish republicanism. Many of its early members had been actively involved in the YOUNG IRELAND movement. Its military wing was known as the IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (IRA). Their exploits drew attention to Irish discontent and helped to convince GLADSTONE of the urgent need to find a solution to Ireland's problems. Several Fenians became Members of Parliament at Westminster during the HOME RULE period. In the latter part of the 1860s the Fenian Brotherhood split into three sections, each in theory supporting the IRB but in practice sharply divided by personalities and policies. The organization was super-seded in the USA by Clan-na-Gael, a secret society headed by John Devoy, and by other open Irish-American organizations supporting Irish republicanism.