Nashville, TN – [September 2024 – The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) hosted a remarkable event in September, celebrating Irish heritage in Nashville and attracting both AOH members and community members with an interest in local Irish history.
The gathering at Calvary Catholic cemetery was led by Deacon Mike Wilkins and Division Historian; Conor Doolan. The event was not only well-attended but also filled with unexpected moments of connection and discovery. One of the most touching highlights occurred when Patrick Nolan, a non-member, was astonished to find a relative’s grave during the event. As the group walked through the cemetery, Patrick exclaimed, “This is one of my relatives!” to everyone’s surprise.
It turns out that Patrick’s great-grandfather, Thomas Johnson, was a past president of the Nashville AOH—a connection he had never known before. Moved by the revelation, Patrick took a moment to share the legacy of Thomas Johnson and his contributions to the community, enriching the experience for everyone present.
At the conclusion of the event, the Nashville AOH, officially invited Patrick Nolan to join the organization as an associate member and extended the invitation to participate in future meetings and events.
The AOH aimed to honor past members and deepen knowledge of early Irish settlers in Nashville, and this event certainly exceeded those expectations. Participants left with a renewed appreciation for their heritage and the unexpected connections that can be found within it.
Tour was led by Deacon Mike Wilkins and Division Historian Conor Doolan. President Jim Horton thanked Deacon.
