Chris Cooke

Home to the AOH San Francisco Division 17 for more than 50 years, the denselypacked facility will create new community space, including a two-level Saint Patrick’sRoom banquet hall, offices, and a public gallery. San Francisco-based StudioBANAA is responsible for the design. The firm writes that the massing has “a solidmassing of blue Kilkenny limestone from Ireland houses the more intimate, member-focused programs. The rooftop is the crowning glory, with four quadrants representingthe four provinces of Ireland.” A design narrative shared by the studio shows how thearchitects carved … [Read more...] about City Approval For United Irish Cultural Center in SunsetDistrict, San Francisco – AOH San Francisco Division 17Headquarters

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 … [Read more...] about Nashville AOH Event Celebrates Irish Heritage and Uncovers FamilyConnections

On Sunday 8 September Dr. Ruan O’Donnell spoke at the United Irish Cultural Society event in San Francisco, California, on the subject of Robert Emmet’s legacy in the USA. Ireland’s Consul General Michael Smith addressed the gathering outside the Academy of Science in Golden Gate Park. Ancient Order of Hibenians, San Francisco Division 17 joined with the United Irish Societies of San Francisco. In 1916, one third of the population of San Francisco was Irish or of Irish descent and largely supporters of the struggle for Irish independence. When news of the Easter Rising reached them, they … [Read more...] about Robert Emmet Remembrance Day in San Francisco

Hartford AOH Division sponsored its annual Hartford Irish Road Bowling Tournament on July 20 at Riverside Park in the capital city. With over 40 teams participating in the event, it is believed to be the largest Irish Road Bowling Tournament ever held in New England. All proceeds benefit the Division's fight against hunger in the Hartford area, particularly the food pantry at Saint Augustine Church and the sandwich ministry at Saint Patrick-Saint Anthony Church. The Division continues to hold a monthly food drive to benefit the pantry at Saint Augustine's and has been since June 2020. … [Read more...] about Hartford AOH Division Sponsors Annual Hartford Irish Road Bowling Tournament

On Memorial Day, the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage passed through Saint Paul, Minnesota, enroute to the National Eucharistic Congress. Minnesota Hibernians were among 7000 members of the local faithful who participated in the “Source and Summit” Eucharistic Procession which went on Summit Avenue in Saint Paul from the Saint Paul Seminary through various historic neighborhoods, past our Governor's Residence, and ending with a prayer service at the Cathedral of Saint Paul / National Shrine of the Apostle Paul. … [Read more...] about National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in Saint Paul

The St. Anthony Foundation is a nonprofit social service organization in San Francisco, California. They are best known for their operation of the St. Anthony Dining Room in the Tenderloin District. It was founded in 1950 by Franciscan friar Alfred Boeddeker to serve free meals to the poor in an ordinary restaurant-like setting. The Dining Room has served as many as 2,500 plates of food a day, and over thirty seven million meals since its creation. The foundation operates a residential drug and alcohol treatment program for … [Read more...] about St. Anthony Dining Room – Ancient Order of Hibernians, San Francisco Division 17

Before the start of every General Meeting at the Suffolk Legislature, one Legislator is chosen to designated individuals in the community to sing the National Anthem and obtain a clergyman to say an opening prayer. For the June 6th General Meeting, Suffolk Division 9 Brother Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon chose fellow Division 9 Brother Father Henry Reid to lead the Legislature, and all those present, in a prayer dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Brother Lennon introduced Brother Henry to those present as a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for over thirty years, former … [Read more...] about Suffolk’s Division 9 Brother Father Henry Delivers Prayer at Suffolk Legislature

June 16th is Bloomsday, named after the one of the main characters in James Joyce’s Ulysses.Bloomsday is the day where people get together around the world to celebrate the book. InChicago our Hibernian brothers celebrated with traditional music referenced in Ulysses andreading selective passages. (Hibernians member in picture = Joe McGovern) … [Read more...] about Illinois ~ Chicago Division #59 Celebrates Bloomsday

On Sunday, April 28th, AOH St. Patrick’s Division 2 (Suffolk County, Long Island, NY) held a Shamrock Degree. Division President Jim McGrath welcomed 21 new Brothers into the Order. Refreshments were enjoyed by all after the Shamrock Degree. With the newly installed Brothers, this brings the total membership of St. Patrick’s Division 2 to 514. Division 2’s Organizing Team (led by Brothers Kevin Vaughn, Frank Collins, Mark Tynan and John Faust) are planning another Shamrock Degree in the early Autumn of 2024. … [Read more...] about AOH St. Patrick’s Division 2 Installs New Brothers

IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAIMED IN THE TOWN OF BABYLON L-R: President Jim McGrath; Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Town Councilman and Hibernian Terrence McSweeney LINDENHURST, N.Y. – On Wednesday, February 28th , Town of Babylon proclaimed March as “Irish American Heritage Month”. Town of Babylon officials stood alongside President Jim McGrath and Past Presidents of St. Patrick’s Division 2 on Wednesday, February 28th at Babylon Town Hall to proclaim March 2024 as Irish American Heritage Month in the Town of Babylon, Long Island. The proclamation was made by Town of … [Read more...] about Town of Babylon Proclaims March 2024 – Irish American Heritage Month

On Tuesday, around 100 volunteers packed the Cottleville Knights of Columbus to help the non-profit No Hunger Holiday assemble each box, which includes a turkey and fixings for a Thanksgiving meal at home. The turkeys are the result of donation drives held at several area high schools. The 40 partner organizations help cover seven counties (St. Charles, St. Louis, Warren, Montgomery, Lincoln, Pike and Franklin), along with the City of St. Louis. This is the 33rd year for No Hunger Holiday and it’s just incredible to see everyone come together, from high school students to firefighters to … [Read more...] about No Hunger Holiday in Missouri