This essay is a reprint from from a book entitled "Niagara Land: the First 200 Years," which in turn was a reprint of a series of essays published in "Sunday, the Courier Express Magazine" to celebrate the 1976 American Revolution Bicentennial.

A rag-taggle band of Irishmen who followed Gen. John O'Neil into Canada in June of 1866 hardly looked as elegant as the artist conceived them in this sketch of the Fenians' first and last victory in the Battle of Ridgeway.

CANADA MIGHT be known as "New Ireland" today had an Irish invasion of that country succeeded in 1866.



Discontent was rife in Ireland as indeed it had been for centuries. An unsuccessful attempt to throw off the English yoke had been made in 1865.



The same year the Fenians, a group of Irish revolutionaries, during a New York City convention, laid plans for invading Canada. It was proposed to hold that country as a hostage until freedom was gained in the Emerald Isle.



Plans envisioned the Irish Navy sweeping Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Irish privateers were to prey upon British shipping, close the St. Lawrence and reduce Quebec. The Irish Navy, it should be added, at the time consisted of five sailing vessels, a tug and two steamer transports, docked at Chicago.





... the Fenians, a group of Irish revolutionaries, during a New York City convention, laid plans for invading Canada. It was proposed to hold that country as a hostage until freedom was gained in the Emerald Isle.

Meanwhile the Fenians kept pouring into Buffalo -- from Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Columbus and other western areas ...

The U.S. Steamer "Michigan" fired a shot from its 12-pound pivot gun across the prow of the scow, warning the Fenian vessel would be sunk unless it hauled to and surrendered.