Canadians were aware of the impending assault, relayed back home by 'spies' in New York City.  Many worried Canadians wrote their newspapers.  Archbishop John Hughes, of the Archdiocese of New York, spoke against the Fenians and ordered excommunication of any Catholics who were members.  The US government withdrew its support, but the invasion went on as planned. The armed invasion came in 3 parts: 1. Campobello Island in New Brunswick.  This attack never came off. 2. Fort Erie & Ridgeway in Upper Canada.  The Fenians had some initial success before being driven back. 3. Eastern Quebec near Frelighsburg.  The Fenians were completely routed by the Montreal Militia. The Fenians weren't about to give up.  In 1867, they used the ship "Erin's Hope" for another armed invasion of Canada.  They were captured.  Raids continued until 1871, when the US government finally stepped in to put a stop to it. The Fenians commissioned John Holland, the inventor of the submarine, to create a sub for them.  Their plan was to take it to the British warships and attack underwater.  Holland created the "Fenian Ram."  After a dispute over money, they stole the sub from Holland.  They would use it to take frequent practice dives in New York Harbor.  The "Ram" is now on display at the Paterson Museum in Paterson, NJ.  You can view a photo of it here: http://www.maritime.org/hnsa-fenian.htm The Fenians raised a lot of money for armed uprisings back in Ireland, but none were very successful.  The group started to break apart due to the failed invasions and internal splits.  However, their successor, Clan na Gael, was a much more powerful entity! NEXT: Fenian Records for Genealogical Research? You can read an online bio of Michael Doheny at: http://www.fethard.com/people/doheny.html Suggested reading: Neidhardt, W.S.  "Fenianism in North America" University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1975. McManus, Seamus.  "The Story of the Irish Race."