Sinn Féin: The History and Legacy of the Irish Republican Political Party

From Gaelic, the words Sinn Féin translate loosely into English as “We Ourselves,” or “Ourselves Alone.” The implications of this are that Ireland, historically subject to the political domination of England, could look to none but itself for liberation.

By the 18th century, the Irish Parliament and all of the institutions of the state were dominated by Protestants, with Catholics almost entirely excluded. In 1798, a rebellion was launched by the “United Irishmen,” one of the first undergr...