How did Notre Dame get the name Fighting Irish?

I've been told it had something to do with beating up Ku Klux Klan members during a parade in South Bend. Is this true?

How did Notre Dame get the name Fighting Irish?
It was originally an ethnic slur after they beat one of the east coast teams.
Reply:It is a reference to the fighting for freedom that the Irish have had to wage, and in some cases are still waging...and that most Catholics are at least of some Irish heritage...and likewise, most Irish are Catholic...
Reply:Because Notre Dame is a catholic school, Irish are primarily catholic. Fighting is in reference to the harsh relationship they have with the English, they interpreted the other schools to be English or British. As you can see this did not happen...
Reply:Yo Anderwood by go back to sleep. I was born in South Bend. The Fighting Irish basically got that nickname because we well I'm only half Irish but when challenged we will fight. KKK? No, that's them redneck goat roping Cowboy Fan's, they do this on Saturday night before games, dress up in sheets and get all drunk up on moon shine, use your imagination. Cowboys Suck.