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In March we think of St. Patrick and his story is on our national website AOH.COM, so this month we will tell of a remarkable military unit named for our patron saint. When America was a young country, not yet matured with the wisdom born of experience, we made mistakes. The acceptance of slavery, the treatment of Native Americans, prejudice against Catholics, and armed opposition to labor unions, were but a few. But the wisdom of our founding fathers and the form of government they established gave all people a voice, and in time saner heads prevailed in the electoral process and the nation … [Read more...] about The San Patricios

On October 30, 1963, Cahirciveen, County Kerry saw the largest outpouring of grief since the loss their favorite son, the great Daniel O’Connell in 1847.  This time it was for another one of their own – Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty.  Although he was born in Kiskeam, County Cork and grew up in Killarney, where his father was the steward of the old Killarney Golf Club, Hugh retired to Cahirciveen three years before his death and was honored as one of their own.  He was also honored with many decorations, including Commander of the British Empire and the US Medal of Freedom for Hugh O’Flaherty was a … [Read more...] about A Rivalry that Became a Friendship

There are many heroes associated with the Confederate States of America (CSA) whose stories have been forgotten or swept under the rug; after all, the winners write the history.  Among those forgotten in our northern history books are Irish Catholic priests like Rev. Tom O’Reilly of Cavan, Rev. Abram Ryan of Tipperary parents and  Rev. Peter Whelan of Wexford.  Rev. O’Reilly earned fame as the man who threatened General Sherman with a mutiny by the Irish Catholics in his army if he torched the church district of Atlanta at the start of his infamous march to the sea; Sherman acquiesced and the … [Read more...] about Reverend Peter Whelan – The Angel of Andersonville

On several occasions in the past, we have denounced revisionists who alter the presentation of history to suit their own purposes. Equally provocative is anything that tends to support the Divide and Conquer tactics originated by the Brits ages ago to separate the Irish into quarreling communities to keep them from uniting against the Crown. No less culpable are those who unwittingly propagate such hypothetical theories without first determining the accuracy of their content. Their intentions may not be as malicious, but the results are certainly no less damaging. One recent example was … [Read more...] about How Long Must We Wear This?

He was a man admired and admonished.  He represented an age and a culture that many could relate to, yet just as many wished to forget.  To some he was the epitome of the rebel, born to the poverty of a Dublin slum, who rose to become an international literary figure.  To others he was the opposite of all that was noble about the Irish. In reality, he was a product of his environment, born in working class Dublin to Stephen and Kathleen Behan on Feb. 23,1923.  His mother's extensive repertoire of Irish ballads served him well in later years.  At age 16, Irish Republican principles led him to … [Read more...] about Brendan Behan

When the name of James Connolly is mentioned, most immediately think of Ireland’s great patriot and labor leader who was brutally murdered by the Brits in 1916 after the Easter Rising.  He was born in poverty to Irish parents in Edinburgh, Scotland on June 5, 1868; but there was another James Connolly, also born in poverty to Irish parents in 1868.  This was James Brendan Connolly, born in south Boston, MA.  Curiously, the month of April was most significant for both.  For our Irish patriot, it was the month he led his followers in the great uprising that was to become the watershed in Irish … [Read more...] about James Connolly – The Athlete

It was on the first of May in 1854 that a boy was born at Cloonyquinn, Co Roscommon to Christopher French and his wife, the former Miss Percy. The second of two sons, he was named William Percy French and in his lifetime he became one of Ireland’s most beloved entertainers and gifted songwriters. His father, believing that Percy was mathematically inclined, sent him to Trinity College to study Civil engineering. Percy however, had different ideas. Instead of devoting himself to his studies, he spent most of his time developing his remarkable talent for song writing, dramatics, playing banjo … [Read more...] about William Percy French

Every year around March 17 we get the question: are there really such things as Leprechauns and I thought I’d put the record straight.  The truth lies in Ireland's ancient manuscripts describing her early settlers.  The manuscripts contain so much detail that it is hard to believe they are historically accurate.  However, since they are the basis of many traditions, they are worth studying.  Further, many have been partially corroborated by archeological evidence, so shouldn’t we at least consider the possible accuracy of the others. Among the early settlers of Ireland, lines of succession … [Read more...] about Leperchaun – Legend or History