An Taibhse Ghlas (2013)
Brian Ó Baoill, Bealach an Doirín, Co. Ros Comáin
The Fenian Raids were a series of armed incursions into British North America (Canada) from the United States by the Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish-American nationalist organization, during the mid-19th century. Occurring between 1866 and 1871, these raids aimed to pressure Britain for Irish independence by conquering British interests in Canada.
The Fenian Brotherhood had some initial success, such as capturing Fort Erie in 1866. Thomas D’arcy McGee, a Canadian politician and Father of Confederation as well as a staunch monarchist, was assassinated by suspected Fenian sympathizers in 1868. These events played a large role in shaping Canadian Confederation and strengthening Canadian national identity.
The raids ultimately failed due to a united Canadian resistance, and by the 1870s organized Fenianism and the feared American ‘Green Ghost’ had passed, leaving many in Canada to hide their previous Irish sympathies.
“Feiceann Liam Mac Fhlannchadha lena shúile féin drochshaol na ndaoine i lár an naoú céad déag. Tá an chumhacht ag na tiarnaí talún, agus caitear amach ar thaobh an bhóthair aon duine nach ngéilleann dóibh. Ach tá Bráithreachas Poblachtach na hÉireann - na Fíníní - ag eagrú chun an scéal sin a athrú, agus poblacht a chur ar bun a thabharfaidh cothrom na Féinne don phobal. Glacann Liam páirt ina gcuid oibre, agus dá bharr sin caithfidh sé rith go Ceanada.
Tá saol nua roimhe anseo agus tá a ghrá Máire ann freisin. Tá liam ag cuidiú fós leis an troid in Éirinn, ach tá Fíníní eile ag iarraidh dul níos faide ná sin. Déanfaidh cuid acu ionsaí ó na Stáit Aontaithe ar Cheanada, agus má ghabhann siad cuid den tír ó impireacht na Breataine, seans go dtabharfar saoirse d’Éirinn. Tá amhras ar Liam faoin bplean, ach ní féidir leis éalú ó thorthaí na hiarrachta seo.”
“Liam Mac Fhlannchadha sees with his own eyes the poverty of the people in the middle of the nineteenth century. The power is held by the landlords, and anyone who does not submit to them is thrown out on the side of the road. But the Irish Republican Brotherhood - the Fenians - are organizing to change that story, and to found a republic that will give equality to the people. Liam takes part in their work, and because of that he must flee to Canada.
He has a new life before him and his love Máire is there also. Liam is still helping with the fight in Ireland, but the other Fenians are attempting to go further than that. Some of them will attack from the United States into Canada, and if they seize part of the country from the British Empire, there is a chance that freedom will be given to Ireland. Liam is apprehensive about the plan, but he can’t escape from the results of this attempt.Tá saol nua roimhe anseo agus tá a ghrá Máire ann freisin. Tá liam ag cuidiú fós leis an troid in Éirinn, ach tá Fíníní eile ag iarraidh dul níos faide ná sin. Déanfaidh cuid acu ionsaí ó na Stáit Aontaithe ar Cheanada, agus má ghabhann siad cuid den tír ó impireacht na Breataine, seans go dtabharfar saoirse d’Éirinn. Tá amhras ar Liam faoin bplean, ach ní féidir leis éalú ó thorthaí na hiarrachta seo.”
Adapted from: Ó Baoill, Brian. 2013. An Taibhse Ghlas. Coiscéim: Baile Átha Cliath.
