Money collecting for the IRA in Boston was done at closed, private events, and it was done in a very few specific areas of the city. I'm certain that most Bostonians had no idea it was taking place. To this day, even. I think The English and Irish are more aware of it than your average Bostonian. If you weren't first or second generation Irish, and in particular neighborhoods, and of a particular mindset, you simply were not part of it...meaning 90% of the city. So if you want to know what this means for the psyche of the Fenian Freedom Fighters, you'll have to come to South Boston, Dorchester, Charlestown and Somerville, find a run down old Irish dive bar, walk in and ask any white guy older than 50 how his psyche is feeling.