Na Fianna Éireann is an Irish nationalist youth organisation founded by Constance Markievicz in 1909, with later help from Bulmer Hobson. Fianna members were involved in setting up the Irish Volunteers, and had their own circle of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). They took part in the 1914 Howth gun-running and (as Volunteer members) in the 1916 Easter Rising. They were active in the War of Independence and many took the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War.
1909-1969
NFÉ were declared an illegal organisation by the government of the Irish Free State in 1931. This was reversed when Fianna Fáil came to power in 1932, but re-introduced in 1938. During the splits in the Republican movement of the later part of the 20th century, the Fianna and Cumann na mBan supported Provisional Sinn Féin in 1969 and Republican Sinn Féin in 1986.
NFÉ have been a proscribed organisation in the Six Counties since 1920.
The Fianna Handbook
The Fianna handbook was first published in 1914. Subsequent editions were published in 1924 and 1964 with the final and most recent edition being published by the Provisional Republican Movement’s Fianna in 1988.
In 1969 two rival groups claimed the title of the Fianna Éireann; one composed of members under the control and influence of the Official movement who wanted to end the Sinn Féin abstentionist policy, and the other aligned to the re-organized Provisional Sinn Féin and IRA movement who supported a continuation of the traditional policy.
Young Republican (1980s)
This version of Young Republican was published by Provisional aligned NFÉ in the 1980s.
In 1986 there was a further split within (Provisional) Sinn Féin and the IRA due to the dropping of Sinn Féin’s abstentionist policy. After this split the Fianna withdrew its support from the Provisional movement, citing republican principles. It now supports Republican Sinn Féin and the Continuity IRA.
Young Republican (2000s)
This version of Young Republican was published by the Republican Sinn Sinn Féin aligned NFÉ in the 2000s. Four issues in total were produced.
Misc
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