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Celebrating the Role of the Fianna

12/06/09

2009 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding the republican youth movement, Fianna Éireann.

To mark the anniversary, éirígí will be hosting a weekend of commemorative events.

Fianna Éireann was founded on August 16 1909 at a meeting in Dublin city centre. The committee that called the meeting done so in order to channel the energies of young men into progressive nationalist politics.

The organisation played an important role in the lead up to the 1916 Rising, promoting the republican message, actively partaking in the cultural revival, and assisting in the acquisition of arms for the Rising itself. During Easter Week, Fianna members served in several of the republican garrisons around Dublin.

In the years that followed, Fianna Éireann continued to play an active role in the increasingly intense national liberation struggle. After the signing of the Treaty in 1921, the Fianna joined the IRA in opposing the British-enforced settlement.

The Fianna’s role in republicanism continued right up to the 1980s, and it was in the organisation that many of those who were to become prominent in the independence struggle first became active.

On the weekend of August 15–16, éirígí have organised a series of events to commemorate the important role of Fianna Éireann in the national liberation struggle.

On Saturday 15, éirígí will host a public meeting in Dublin city centre, focusing on the history of the Fianna. Speakers will include Damien Lawlor, the author of Na Fianna Éireann and the Irish Revolution. Later that evening, a function will be held in the city centre.

On Sunday 16, a walking tour at St Enda’s school in Rathfarnham and a wreath laying commemoration will be held. St Enda’s was established by Pádraig Pearse in 1908 as an Irish language counter-weight to the existing schooling system and many of its students were members of Fianna Éireann.

Final details of the location and times for these events will be announced soon, and can be viewed at http://www.eirigi.org/latest/index.htm.

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