by Brian October 9, 2003
It is a term that refers to an Irishman and originated from a group set up in the 1800s called the "Fenian Brotherhood", who aimed to achieve Irish independence. Brits use it sometimes as a derogatory term for the Irish who instead take it as a compliment.
In modern times in Scotland, rangers fans call Celtic fans "fenian" and some Scottish people believe the term refers to Roman Catholics, but this is incorrect.
In recent years, in n.Ireland (n.irland is irish land thats still occupied by britian.). Unionists have used the term "fenian" to try to insult Irish. Due to the vast majority of unionists being protestant and vast majority of Irish being catholic, some unionists now use the term to refer to any catholic, but again this is incorrect use.
In modern times in Scotland, rangers fans call Celtic fans "fenian" and some Scottish people believe the term refers to Roman Catholics, but this is incorrect.
In recent years, in n.Ireland (n.irland is irish land thats still occupied by britian.). Unionists have used the term "fenian" to try to insult Irish. Due to the vast majority of unionists being protestant and vast majority of Irish being catholic, some unionists now use the term to refer to any catholic, but again this is incorrect use.
by All Knowing Fountain of Wisdom November 27, 2020
Fenian Manifesto
During the middle of the 19th Century, a series of factors combined to create a new Irish patriotic movement. This organization was a revolutionary group dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland. It had its roots in both the United States and Ireland and was popularly known as The Fenian Movement, in honour of the Fianna, the ancient Irish warriors.
The origin of the term Fenian comes from Irish folklore. It described an ancient group of Knights who were self-reliant and had a passion for Irish land. So great was their passion according to the legend, they gave up a chance for world dominion to keep Ireland. This fit very closely with the beliefs of the modern movement and was taken as the organization name.
Times were hard for the Irish, and had been since England took control of the land. In the middle of the 1840's, however, things got much worse. The potato famine of 1845-1848 was a great disaster to the Irish population. In the space of three short years, the inhabitants of the country declined by over two million souls. Some of these two million people immigrated to America while most starved to death or died of disease.
After the famine ended, times remained very hard for the Irish. They never completely recovered from the disaster and many more Irish immigrated to America during the 1850's. Most of these people were of a very strong patriotic belief in their home country, and only left because they had to survive.
During the middle of the 19th Century, a series of factors combined to create a new Irish patriotic movement. This organization was a revolutionary group dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland. It had its roots in both the United States and Ireland and was popularly known as The Fenian Movement, in honour of the Fianna, the ancient Irish warriors.
The origin of the term Fenian comes from Irish folklore. It described an ancient group of Knights who were self-reliant and had a passion for Irish land. So great was their passion according to the legend, they gave up a chance for world dominion to keep Ireland. This fit very closely with the beliefs of the modern movement and was taken as the organization name.
Times were hard for the Irish, and had been since England took control of the land. In the middle of the 1840's, however, things got much worse. The potato famine of 1845-1848 was a great disaster to the Irish population. In the space of three short years, the inhabitants of the country declined by over two million souls. Some of these two million people immigrated to America while most starved to death or died of disease.
After the famine ended, times remained very hard for the Irish. They never completely recovered from the disaster and many more Irish immigrated to America during the 1850's. Most of these people were of a very strong patriotic belief in their home country, and only left because they had to survive.
by jinkybhoy December 7, 2012
"Away ta hell, I've no time for fenian gypsies"
Said by Orange Lily, character in Northern Irish comedian James Young's sketches.
Said by Orange Lily, character in Northern Irish comedian James Young's sketches.
by lasagneman January 17, 2010
Derogatory term used to offend Roman Catholics.Normally used by protestants whom do not know enough about their own history to make a fair judgement . They will say that Catholics are smelly , ugly etc.They will blame them for he IRA etc terrorist groups .The IRA fought for Irish republicans against the British army who treated them as second class citizens merely because they are of a different faith. If you look close enough the faiths are practically the same the only main differences are that Catholics believe more of the books of the bible. All in all it was the British armies fault.If they had not attacked the republic of Ireland the IRA etc would not have started therefore no 600 year war resulting in thousands of deaths.
by Littlegirllookingforjustice March 31, 2010
Fenian: A word originally used to describe an Irish Warrior. However, it is now mainly used as a derogatory slang term to offend Catholics living in Northern Ireland. The word is used by the Protestant community in Northern Ireland mainly, however it is also common in the Protestant community of Scotland. The word is the Celtic word that was used to describe Warriors in Ireland and farmers.
Protestant: You're are a dirty little Fenian bastard!
Catholic: Thank you very much for calling me a warrior sir.
Catholic: Thank you very much for calling me a warrior sir.
by The self aggrandizing one December 8, 2013