Fenians

(fe'ne-anz.) (Hist.) The adopted name of an Irish secret society instituted in the United States with the object of attempting to subvert British rule and ascendancy in Ireland. The origin of the name is uncertain; it is generally supposed, however, to have designated a sort of militia established in that country by Fionn McCoul, son-in-law of King Cormac, 213-253 A. D. [s. 360]