There were many Irish women among the settlers of the American West, and one of the best known in her time was a lady from County Cork named Ellen Cashman. Ellen came to America, like so many others, fleeing the effects of the Great Hunger. She arrived in Boston in 1850 with her mother, Fanny, at the tender age of five where she grew up caring for a younger sister. … [Read more...] about An Irish American Angel in America’s West
Search Results for: stories
Timothy Murphy, the Irish American Who Turned the Tide at Saratoga
Did you know that an Irish America soldier was responsible for turning the tide of the most important battle of the American Revolution? His name was Timothy Murphy and he had served with distinction on the frontier, was part of General William Thompson’s Pennsylvania Rifle Battalion which became the First Continental Regiment and he served with famed General Daniel Morgan as … [Read more...] about Timothy Murphy, the Irish American Who Turned the Tide at Saratoga
A TALE OF TWO O’HARES
Here are two stories and both are absolutely true – and worth reading! The first began on 5 September 1893 when a son was born in St. Louis, MO to Irish-American parents Patrick Joseph and Cecilia Malloy O'Hare. Then named him Edward and he grew up to be a successful lawyer. He married Selma Louth who gave him three children: Edward (1914), Patricia (1919) and Marilyn (1924). … [Read more...] about A TALE OF TWO O’HARES
AOH UPDATE – University of Notre Dame Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism Hibernian Lecture Series
The 33rd annual Hibernian Lecture featured author and poet Thomas Lynch. His lecture on September 9, addressed the poetry and recent deaths of Dennis O’Driscoll and Seamus Heaney. Some of the Hibernians in attendance are shown here with the Lecture. From the left are Danny O’Connell, Carol Sheyer, Maureen Shelton, Jere Cole, LAOH national President Patricia O’Connell, Thomas … [Read more...] about AOH UPDATE – University of Notre Dame Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism Hibernian Lecture Series
The San Patricios
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 … [Read more...] about The San Patricios
A Rivalry that Became a Friendship
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 … [Read more...] about A Rivalry that Became a Friendship
Presidential Proclamation — Irish-American Heritage Month, 2013
IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2013 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION For more than two centuries, America has been made and remade by striving, hopeful immigrants looking for a chance to pursue their dreams. Millions among them were born in Ireland, separated from our shores but united by their belief in a better day. This month, we … [Read more...] about Presidential Proclamation — Irish-American Heritage Month, 2013
Reverend Peter Whelan – The Angel of Andersonville
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 … [Read more...] about Reverend Peter Whelan – The Angel of Andersonville
Letter to USA Today from Anti-Defamation Chair
The below letter is from Anti-Defamation Chair Neil Cosgrove to the publisher of USA Today concerning the coverage of Katie Taylor's Gold Medal win at the Olympics. This letter was written before she won the Gold. Mr. Larry Kramer , President and Publisher USA TODAY Headquarters 7950 Jones Branch Drive McLean, VA 22108 Phone: 703-854-3400 Fax: 703-854-2049 Dear Mr. … [Read more...] about Letter to USA Today from Anti-Defamation Chair
AOH History
AN UPDATED HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS IN AMERICA by Mike McCormack, National Historian This updated history of the origins and activities of the Ancient Order of Hibernians was completed by the National Historian’s Office in June, 2018. Many well-meaning authors have tried to record the genesis of the Order as they heard it from their elders or from those … [Read more...] about AOH History
Catholic Action
The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB),and all Bishop Conferences are expressed by Church Law. Can. 447 A conference of bishops, a permanent institution, is a group of bishops of some nation or certain territory who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions for the Christian faithful of their territory in order to promote the greater good which the Church … [Read more...] about Catholic Action
Archive Sites
Archive Sites and Contact Information Ancient Order of Hibernians Archives exist in several locations. They are: The Irish American Heritage Museum, 370 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207 Ms Elizabeth Stack, Archivist – (518) 427-1916. They have early issues of Hibernian Digest on microfische, film and in printed form. They also have copies of the Hibernian Windows CDs and … [Read more...] about Archive Sites
How Long Must We Wear This?
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 … [Read more...] about How Long Must We Wear This?
Brendan Behan
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 … [Read more...] about Brendan Behan
The Catalpa Rescue
In 1858, the Fenian brotherhood was founded in America and the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) in Ireland to work for Irish independence. Britain declared membership in that organization a crime punishable by deportation to her penal colony in Freemantle, Australia. Seldom in history can one find a story to rival the adventure that brought embarrassment to England and … [Read more...] about The Catalpa Rescue
James Connolly – The Athlete
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 … [Read more...] about James Connolly – The Athlete
William Percy French
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 … [Read more...] about William Percy French
Leperchaun – Legend or History
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 … [Read more...] about Leperchaun – Legend or History
Paddy Colvin’s Unforgettable New Year
There were few Irishmen in Trenton, NJ prior to the Revolutionary War. Among them were Paddy Colvin and Sam McConkey, who ran two Delaware River ferries; Paddy Lamb, who resided near Quaker Bridge on Assunpink Creek; and Bernie Hanlon, a mill-owner who later became a deputy aldermen. They were all there during a very special Christmas adventure, but Paddy Colvin’s name had … [Read more...] about Paddy Colvin’s Unforgettable New Year
Padraic Pearse
On November 10, 1879 – 128 years ago – Patrick Henry Pearse, poet, lawyer, playwright, linguist, educator, author, and military leader, was born in Dublin. During his formal education at the Christian Brothers School, he attained honors in Gaelic each year, and at ages 16 and 17, wrote prizewinning books in the language. He was amply encouraged in his pursuit for he had come to … [Read more...] about Padraic Pearse