Calling all history buffs and Irish enthusiasts! Join the Morrill Memorial Library via Zoom on Thursday, March 25 at 7:00 pm as New England author Christopher Klein tells us about a unique twist of Irish history in North America.

Just over a year after Robert E. Lee relinquished his sword, a band of Union and Confederate veterans dusted off their guns. These former foes, however, had no intention of reigniting the Civil War. Instead, they fought side by side to undertake one of the most fantastical missions in military history: to seize the British province of Canada and hold it hostage until the independence of Ireland was secured. In this talk, learn the outlandish, little-known story of the self-proclaimed Irish Republican Army that carried out five attacks on Canada—known collectively as the Fenian Raids—between 1866 and 1871. With the tacit support of the U.S. government, this motley group—including a one-armed war hero, an English spy infiltrating rebel forces, and a radical who staged his own funeral—managed to seize a piece of America’s northern neighbor, if only for a matter of days.

Registration is required for this program funded by the Friends of the Library. Please fill out the form below to sign up, or call the Reference desk with any questions at 781-769-0200 x2.