The Irish National Foresters' Benefit Society (Coillteoirí Náisiúnta na hÉireann in Irish) is an Irishfriendly society.
The INF began in 1877 as a breakaway from the Ancient Order of Foresters after political disagreements. The INF grew rapidly and soon became the largest friendly society in Ireland. It supported Irish nationalism and its constitution called for "government for Ireland by the Irish people in accordance with Irish ideas and Irish aspirations".
By 1914 the order had spread worldwide and had a quarter of a million members in over 1,000 branches. The influx of Irish labour into Scotland in the 19th century saw the movement gain a foothold, first in the west and later as far as the east coast. They were also prominent in Australia.[1]
With the establishment of the Irish Free State and the gradual expansion of the social welfare system, the INF went into decline. Some branches, particularly in Ulster, still exist. The INF brass band in Navan in County Meath is still promoting music in its surroundings. They practice once a week in the CYWS (Catholic Young Women's Society) hall located in the centre of the town. The only branch left in the Republic of Ireland is the one in Tullamore with over 80 members.
Joseph Hutchinson (1852–1928) founded the INF in 1877 with eight other men. Trustee 1881; Treasurer 1844; and General Secretary 1846.
Referencesedit
^Irish National Foresters, Freeman's Journal (Sydney), 4 Sept 1897, p. 17.
^"Foresters Meet", Irish Independent, 25 May 1942, p. 3.
October 27, 2023
irish, national, foresters, benefit, society, coillteoirí, náisiúnta, hÉireann, irish, irish, friendly, society, began, 1877, breakaway, from, ancient, order, foresters, after, political, disagreements, grew, rapidly, soon, became, largest, friendly, society, . The Irish National Foresters Benefit Society Coillteoiri Naisiunta na hEireann in Irish is an Irish friendly society The INF began in 1877 as a breakaway from the Ancient Order of Foresters after political disagreements The INF grew rapidly and soon became the largest friendly society in Ireland It supported Irish nationalism and its constitution called for government for Ireland by the Irish people in accordance with Irish ideas and Irish aspirations By 1914 the order had spread worldwide and had a quarter of a million members in over 1 000 branches The influx of Irish labour into Scotland in the 19th century saw the movement gain a foothold first in the west and later as far as the east coast They were also prominent in Australia 1 With the establishment of the Irish Free State and the gradual expansion of the social welfare system the INF went into decline Some branches particularly in Ulster still exist The INF brass band in Navan in County Meath is still promoting music in its surroundings They practice once a week in the CYWS Catholic Young Women s Society hall located in the centre of the town The only branch left in the Republic of Ireland is the one in Tullamore with over 80 members Prominent members editRichard Corish High Chief Ranger in 1942 2 Joseph Hutchinson 1852 1928 founded the INF in 1877 with eight other men Trustee 1881 Treasurer 1844 and General Secretary 1846 References edit Irish National Foresters Freeman s Journal Sydney 4 Sept 1897 p 17 Foresters Meet Irish Independent 25 May 1942 p 3 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Irish National Foresters amp oldid 1096793394, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
