The Fenians were Irish nationalist secret societies active mainly in the 19th century, formed to pursue independence from Britain. They operated both in Ireland and abroad, especially among Irish immigrant communities in the United States, and waged campaigns to end British rule in Ireland through revived militancy and organized raids. Key points about who they were and what they stood for:

• Origins and names: The term “Fenian” comes from the Fianna, legendary warriors in Irish mythology, and was adopted by organizing groups such as the Fenian Brotherhood in the United States and the Irish Republican Brotherhood (often called the Fenian Brotherhood in Ireland and the U.S.). These groups shared a common aim of securing Irish independence and rights, though they sometimes differed in strategy and leadership.

• Main organizations:
  • Fenian Brotherhood: An American-based wing founded in the late 1850s by Irish immigrants like John O’Mahony and Michael Doheny; it aimed to liberate Ireland from British rule and coordinated with Irish groups to support an uprising.

* Irish Republican Brotherhood (often linked to Fenian activities in Ireland): A secret society in Ireland dedicated to establishing an independent Irish republic, often through clandestine methods and insurrection.

• Activities and campaigns:
  • Insurrections and planned uprisings: The Fenians organized and inspired several attempted uprisings in Ireland during the 1860s and 1870s, and they conducted cross-border raids and organized expeditions, including incursions into Canada as showpieces of force and as pressure tactics against Britain. These efforts achieved limited immediate success but helped keep Irish nationalist sentiment alive and influenced later movements.

• Legacy and impact:
  • They helped sustain the broader Irish nationalist movement and inspired later groups, including and influencing the later Irish revolutionary tradition, including the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in the 20th century. They also contributed to debates about strategy, opposition to British rule, and the role of diaspora communities in nationalist causes.

If you’d like, I can tailor this overview to a particular aspect—such as biographies of key Fenian leaders, specific raids or uprisings, or the role of Irish Americans in supporting the Fenian cause.