The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) was a secret society founded in 1858 in Dublin, Ireland. Its primary goal was to establish an independent Irish Republic, free from British rule. The IRB played a significant role in the Irish nationalist movement and was involved in various uprisings, including the Easter Rising of 1916. The organization was composed mainly of young, radical nationalists who sought to promote Irish nationalism through military means. The IRB's influence waned after the rising, but it laid the groundwork for future groups, such as the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which continued the struggle for Irish independence.