Author: Russell Shortt

The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), or the Fenian organisation was founded simultaneously in Dublin and New York in 1858 by a number of individuals who had been connected with the 1848 rebellion in Ireland, which included – James Stephens, John O’Mahony, Charles Kickham, John O’Leary, Thomas Clarke Luby and Michael Doheny. They organised the movement along the lines of ‘circles’ which was comparative to a regiment, it was very secretive with each rank only knowing the one above it. The Fenians believed that armed revolution was the only way forward and they therefore prepared for an uprising for when Britain should be at a disadvantage. They soon established themselves in Australia, South America, Canada and particularly in America as well as in the large cities of England. When a rising was at last attempted in 1867, the government were well ahead of the conspiracy and nearly all the Fenian leaders were in prison, it was really nothing more than a gesture. However, the movement received a fresh impetus of recruits, they kept the channels open and waited for the day that revolution would occur. They would have to wait fifty years but during this long period, Fenianism was an ideal that nationalists could cling desperately to. However, by the start of the twentieth century the movement had largely stagnated, becoming more interested with Dublin municipal politics than the establishment of an Irish Republic. A younger generations of nationalists began to change all this from 1905 on, by 1914 the Supreme Council of the IRB was largely purged of its older, jaded leadership. The new blood helped establish the Irish Volunteers in 1913 and were very influential in the subsequent Irish War of Independence. Following the Civil War, the Supreme Council voted to dissolve the organisation, deeming that it’s goals had been achieved.

About the Author:

Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source: http://www.exploringireland.net

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – A Brief History of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (irb)