Fenian

American  

[fee-nee-uhn, feen-yuhn] / ˈfi ni ən, ˈfin yən /

noun

1. a member of an Irish revolutionary organization founded in New York in 1858, which worked for the establishment of an independent Irish republic.

2. (in late Irish legends) a member of a group of warriors always ready to defend Ireland against its enemies.

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Fenian British  

/ ˈfiːnɪən /

noun

1. (formerly) a member of an Irish revolutionary organization founded in the US in the 19th century to fight for an independent Ireland

2. Irish myth one of the Fianna

3. derogatory an Irish Catholic or a person of Irish Catholic descent

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Fenians

Other Word Forms

• Fenianism noun

Etymology

Origin of Fenian

1810–20; < Irish f éinne (genitive of fiann band of Fenians) + -ian; influenced by Old Irish f éne ancient inhabitant of Ireland

Example Sentences

Joining Galligan is Niamh McCormack, whose character is part of the rebellious Fenian Brotherhood, and Jack Gleeson, who is best known for playing Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones.

From BBC

From there it will travel onto Fenian Street, ending on Denzille Lane.

From BBC

Parnell had little interest in politics until, in 1867, three Fenian volunteers were publicly hanged for a murder they had not committed.

From New York Times

Charles Brett, who was shot as a group of Fenians ambushed a horse-drawn prison van, trying to release two Fenian leaders.

From New York Times

An informer tells O’Connor of an important Fenian, “a Yank,” being brought to Manchester from New York to continue the fight: Stephen Doyle, an Irish-American, a Civil War fighter.

From New York Times