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Ná Fianna Éireann - 100 Years of Republican Youth in Struggle



By Fra Cochrane

2009 marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Na Fianna Éireann, the first Republican Youth organisation. Its founders, Countess Markievicz and Bulmer Hobson sought to utilise the youth of Ireland in the struggle for Irish independence. Young men from both rural and urban communities quickly joined the ranks of Na Fianna, seeking to play their role.

Na Fianna Éireann was not simply about instilling confidence and a sense of Irishness in young men. It was about education, community service, social activities, and improving the lives of all the people of Ireland. It was founded on Irish republican and socialist ideals, and on the basis of equality for all. It was Na Fianna who fired the first shots in Dublin in 1916, and Na Fianna units across the whole of Ireland continued to serve admirably until the cessation of the armed struggle. It is with great awe that we can look back on the role these young people played in our struggle.



Mural erected by Fermanagh Ógra Shinn Féin

Young republicans have always been key in Irish history, whether it was young women through Cumann na gCailiní or young men in Na Fianna. Young people today can look up to them as a shining example of courageousness. People like Tom Williams, executed for his role in the Army at the mere age of 19. People like Bobby Sands and all the Hunger Strikers of 1981, whose average age was around 20, and even up to present day, to people like Daithí McKay MLA who continue to advance that Irish republican and socialist ideal upon which Na Fianna was founded. Bobby Sands said “Everyone, republican or otherwise, have their own particular part to play. No part is too great or too small, no one is too young or too old to do something”. That statement is as relevant today as it ever was.

Ógra Shinn Féin continue to play their part, knowing that we can only strive to be as brave as the young who went before us.
The onus is on young Irish people today to continue the struggle, we are the future and it will be in our generation that we achieve Irish unity.

With the anniversary of the formation of Na Fianna Éireann, I would encourage all young people to get involved in Ógra Shinn Féin, and to continue what Countess Markievicz and Bulmer Hobson started all those years ago.
To advance the cause of Irish freedom, and show that the lives of so many young republicans in the past were not given in vain.
An Phoblacht Abú!