Fenian dynamite campaign
The Fenian dynamite campaign (or Fenian bombing campaign) was a bombing campaign orchestrated by Irish republicans against the British Empire, between the years 1881 and 1885. The campaign was associated with Fenianism; that is to say the Irish revolutionary organisations which aimed to establish an independent Irish Republic; such as the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the Fenian Brotherhood, Clan na Gael and the United Irishmen of America. The campaign, led by Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa and other Irishmen exiled in the United States, was a form of asymmetrical warfare and targeted infrastructure, government, military and police targets in Great Britain (particularly London). Over 80 people were injured in the attacks and one young boy was killed, as well as two of the bombers in the 1884 attack on London Bridge. The campaign led to the establishment of secret police group Special Branch (originally known as the Special Irish Branch).
Fenian dynamite campaign | |
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Ireland tells the dynamiters to stop (1893 caricature) | |
Type | Bombing campaign |
Location | |
Planned by | Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa Alexander Sullivan |
Target | government, military, police and infrastructure |
Date | 14 January 1881 – 10 February 1885 |
Executed by | Irish Republican Brotherhood United Irishmen of America Clan na Gael |
Outcome | British government establish Special Branch in 1883. |
Casualties | 4 killed 86 injured |
Part of a series on |
Irish republicanism |
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