Fenianism and the Martyrdom-Terrorism Nexus in Ireland before Independence

Irish Republicanism came to be associated with both martyrdom and terrorism in the nineteenth century with the growth of the “Fenian” movement. This chapter begins by examining that association in relation to prominent Fenians, such as Terence Bellew McManus, John O’Mahony, and the “Manchester Martyrs, ” with particular regard to commemorative processions for them. The chapter then considers the growing association of Fenianism with terrorism, and discusses Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa and his “skirmishers” along with notable assassinations and dynamite attacks made by Fenians in the 1880s. The chapter examines a range of press responses to such events. It concludes that although the Fenians were constantly in need of martyrs, they showed reluctance to view their militants responsible for noncombatants’ deaths as martyrs.