Fenian Rising

Quick Facts: Who was Fenian Rising?

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Fenian Rising

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A major 1867 rebellion by Irish nationalists against British rule in Ireland.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Fenian Rising (Irish: Éirí Amach na bhFíníní, IPA: [ˈeːɾʲiː əˈmˠax n̪ˠə ˈvʲiːnʲiːnʲiː]) was a rebellion against British rule in Ireland organised by the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). After the suppression of the Irish People newspaper in September 1865, disaffection among Irish radical nationalists continued to smoulder, and during the later part of 1866, IRB leader James Stephens endeavoured to raise funds in the United States for a fresh rising planned for the following year. However the rising of 1867 proved poorly organised. A brief rising took place in County Kerry in February, followed by an attempt at nationwide insurrection, including an attempt to take Dublin in early March. Due to poor planning and infiltration of the nationalists by the Dublin Castle administration, the rebellion never got off the ground.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Most of the leaders in Ireland were arrested, but although some of them were sentenced to death, none were executed. The IRB subsequently carried out a series of attacks in England aimed at freeing Fenian prisoners, including a bomb in London and an attack on a prison van in Manchester, for which three Fenians, subsequently known as the Manchester martyrs, were executed in November 1867. The Fenians were a transatlantic association consisting of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, founded in Dublin by James Stephens in 1858, and the Fenian Brotherhood, founded in the United States by John O'Mahony and Michael Doheny, also in 1858. Their aim was the establishment of an independent Irish Republic by force of arms. The Great Famine of 1845–50 had killed about a million people, and caused another million to emigrate, hardening Irish attitudes to British rule.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1865, the Fenians began preparing for a rebellion. With the ending of the American Civil War, they hoped to recruit willing Irish veterans of that war for an insurrection in Ireland. They collected about 6,000 firearms and had as many as 50,000 men willing to fight. In September 1865, the British moved to close down the Fenians' newspaper The Irish People and arrested much of the leadership, including John O'Leary, Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, Bryan Dillon, Thomas Clarke Luby and Stephens. Stephens, the leader of the movement, later escaped.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1845: 1845 Milestone — The Great Famine of 1845–50 had killed about a million people, and caused another million to emigrate, hardening Irish attitudes to British rule.
2. 1858: 1858 Milestone — The Fenians were a transatlantic association consisting of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, founded in Dublin by James Stephens in 1858, and the Fenian Brotherhood, founded in the United States by John O'Mahony and Michael Doheny, also in 1858.
3. 1865: 1865 Milestone — After the suppression of the Irish People newspaper in September 1865, disaffection among Irish radical nationalists continued to smoulder, and during the later part of 1866, IRB leader James Stephens endeavoured to raise funds in the United States for a fresh rising planned for the following year.
4. 1867: 1867 Milestone — However the rising of 1867 proved poorly organised.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Fenian Rising

True or False: “The Fenian Rising of 1867 was a successful, nationwide military uprising that forced immediate political concessions from the British government.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The rebellion failed due to poor organization and infiltration by the Dublin Castle administration, resulting in arrests rather than regime change.

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• Alexander III of Russia — Historical peer (Born in 1845) (1845): Emperor of Russia (1881–1894), known as The Peacemaker for his non-interventionist foreign policy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fenian Rising