Irish Nationalism

Revolutionary Nationalism

Revolutionary Nationalism in Ireland was the movement to overthrow the British government in a revolution. The main group involved in the Revolutionary Nationalistic movement was the Fenians or I.R.B. (Irish Republican Brotherhood). They were formed in 1858 and had strong support from the Irish Americans, many of whom blamed the British for having to emigrate because of the potato famine. They were a secret organisation not afraid to use violence eg. assassinations and bombings etc. Fenian is Gaelic for warrior.

Constitutional Nationalism

Constitutional Nationalism had the most impact of the three main nationalistic forces. Mainly Constitutional Nationalism involved the I.N.P. (Irish Nationalist Party) whose main objective was to gain Home Rule. Home rule was being ruled by the Irish or having an Irish parliament controlling domestic matters such as education etc. The leader of the I.N.P. in the 1880s was Charles Parnell, an Irish protestant. Home Rule was a big issue in 1886 because the I.N.P. held the balance of power. There were two Home Rule bills, neither of them succeeded. The first was rejected by the House of Commons and the second was rejected by the House of Lords. The Home Rule movement diminished in 1891 when Charles Parnell was involved in a scandle.

Cultural Nationalism

Cultural Nationalism was the movement associated with Gaelic revival. The G.A.A. (Gaelic Athletic Association), formed in 1884 was encouraging education about the Gaelic culture and language. Their organisation was infiltrated by the Fenians with 4 of the 7 people in the inaugural meeting of the G.A.A being Fenians. The Gaelic League was formed by the Catholics in 1893 and was also an advocate of the education of the Gaelic culture and language. These cultural nationalistic groups were anti-British and had no political agenda.