🇺🇸☘️ When Buffalo Invaded Canada: The Fenian Raids Across the Niagara

It sounds unbelievable now, but in the summer of 1866, a group of Irish-American revolutionaries crossed the Niagara River from Buffalo and invaded Canada.

They were called the Fenians—battle-hardened veterans of the American Civil War, determined to free Ireland from British rule. Their plan? Strike the British Empire where it was vulnerable—in Canada—and use captured territory to bargain for Irish independence.

On June 1st, they launched their boldest action: crossing the river under cover of night and capturing the town of Fort Erie. Then, just hours later, they defeated Canadian militia at the Battle of Ridgeway—marking the only military victory ever achieved by an Irish army abroad against British forces.

Yes, it really happened—from Buffalo, New York.

But the victory was short-lived. The U.S. government, not eager to provoke war with Britain, cracked down. The Fenians were arrested, their plans unraveled, and most returned to the U.S. in defeat. Still, their efforts shook the border and stirred Canadian unification.

Today, when you stand by the river in Buffalo or Fort Erie, it’s hard to imagine armed men crossing under moonlight to claim land in the name of Ireland. But they did. And for one brief, wild moment—they won.