In an open letter to the Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) asked for their support in calling for the British Government to honor its commitment to hold a referendum on the North of Ireland forming a part of a united Ireland in light of statements made by Prime Minister May indicating that the criteria for such a referendum have been met. The Letter by National Political Education Chair Neil Cosgrove states: “The U.S. brokered Good Friday Agreement (GFA) ended the thirty-year conflict known as “the Troubles” and has brought twenty … [Read more...] about In Light of Prime Minister May’s Lack of Confidence in Northern Ireland Wishing to Remain in the UK, Hibernians Call for Referendum
Recent Recipient Visits AOH Monument at the Medal of Honor Grove
Medal of Honor Recipient Jim McCloughan and his wife Cherie recently visited the AOH Monument at the Medal of Honor Grove in Valley Forge Pennsylvania. Jim was recently awarded the Medal of Honor for distinguished actions as a combat medic assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, during the Vietnam War near Don Que, Vietnam, from May 13-15, 1969. The Medal of Honor Grove commemorates those who have earned our Nation's highest award for valor. A section of the 52-acre grove is designated for each of the … [Read more...] about Recent Recipient Visits AOH Monument at the Medal of Honor Grove
National President McKay speaks out on Good Friday Agreement at 20
On March 22, 2018, and a month before the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, out Worthy President Judge James McKay testified before the Helsinki Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. The Commission, at the behest of Co-Chair Chris Smith of New Jersey, was holding a hearing, “The Good Friday Agreement at 20: achievements and unfinished business,” to review the status of the implementation of what panel member Congressman Brendan Boyle described as the “unquestioned gold standard in terms of peace agreements.” However, both Congressman Smith and Boyle both expressed … [Read more...] about National President McKay speaks out on Good Friday Agreement at 20
Irish American Heritage Month: The Irish Contribution to America’s Independence
DID YOU KNOW that when America was born, the Irish were there? The Irish, both Protestant, and Catholic, were a major part of Washington’s volunteers from foot soldiers to high ranking officers. When increased Crown exploitation drove the colonists to protest, among the loudest were the Irish who had no great love for the Crown, to begin with. And there were many Irish in America’s colonies. Among them were those who fought the English theft of their Irish lands and ended up hunted men; they were followed by those Catholics and Presbyterians who fled persecution by the Church of England. Some … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: The Irish Contribution to America’s Independence
Irish American Heritage Month: Colonel Eileen Collins, A Child of Immigrants Who Attained the Stars
On July 30th, 1999, 30 years and two days after the first successful moonwalk, Irish American Colonel Eileen Marie Collins became the first woman to command a U.S. spacecraft. Eileen Collins was one of four children born to immigrant parents from County Cork who had settled in Elmira New York. At an early age Eileen expressed an interest in flying, the skies around her home a frequent home to sailplanes and Elmira was home to the National Soaring Museum. Her parents would often take her to the local airport to watch aircraft take off and land. However, there was little money in a struggling … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: Colonel Eileen Collins, A Child of Immigrants Who Attained the Stars
Irish American Heritage Month: Patrick Gallagher, USMC
Patrick Gallagher was born in Derrintogher, County Mayo Ireland on February 2, 1944. At the age of eighteen, as so many you Irish men and women before him, Patrick immigrated to the United States and the promise of a new life filled with opportunity. He quickly started on the immigrant dream: studying law while working in real estate; even getting involved in local politics as a campaign worker for Senator Robert Kennedy. In 1966, Patrick was drafted for service in Viet Nam. Despite pleas from a heartsick sister living in the states to avoid the horrors of war by simply returning to … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: Patrick Gallagher, USMC
Ancient Order of Hibernians Thank Senator Schumer and Secretary Spencer for Recognition of Cpl. Gallagher in Destroyer Naming
The Ancient Order of Hibernians wish to express their gratitude to Senator Charles Schumer and Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer for their announcement that the Navy’s newest Destroyer, DDG-127, shall be christened the U.S.S Gallagher in fitting commemoration of the bravery and sacrifice that Corporal Patrick Gallagher, USMC, displayed during the Vietnam War. Cpl. Gallagher, an immigrant from County Mayo, Ireland was awarded the Navy Cross in recognition of his selfless bravery and would later be killed in that conflict just days before he was scheduled to return home. Cpl. Gallagher … [Read more...] about Ancient Order of Hibernians Thank Senator Schumer and Secretary Spencer for Recognition of Cpl. Gallagher in Destroyer Naming
Irish American Heritage Month: The Irish Brigade at Antietam
Did you know that the Irish had a major part in the victory on the bloodiest day in American history? It was at Antietam on September 17, 1862, and it was the victory that emboldened President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Foremost among Union forces was the Irish Brigade led by Irish-born Gen. Thomas F Meagher. Their story is an extraordinary chronicle of military valor in America’s cause; once when President Lincoln visited General McClellan’s Union camp, he lifted a corner of the Irish Brigade Flag, kissed it and said Thank God for the Irish! In early August, the … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: The Irish Brigade at Antietam
Tell Amazon Products that Defame the Irish are “just wrong”
Despite repeated attempts to engage in meaningful discussion with Amazon they continue to sell products that defame our Irish heritage. Amazon often positions itself as a progressive, diverse, forward thinking company; this only makes their promoting products that denigrate Irish Americans more outrageous as it sends a clear message that they do not consider our heritage worthy of the courtesy they freely extend others. The hypocrisy of them promoting themselves as empowering women through sponsorship of "Girls that Code" while profiting off of shirts that say "Kiss me I'm … [Read more...] about Tell Amazon Products that Defame the Irish are “just wrong”
March is Irish American Heritage Month
In recognition of Irish American Heritage Month, the Ancient Order of Hibernians have produced this video highlighting a few of the Irish American men and women who have contributed so much to this Country. Please feel free to like and share with friends. Embrace your Irish Heritage at www.aoh.com #IrishAmericanHeritageMonth https://www.youtube.com/embed/bCI0gNyN6PA … [Read more...] about March is Irish American Heritage Month
Hibernians Commend Walmart for Swift Action in Response to Offensive Irish Stereotype Merchandise
The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) today commended Walmart for their swift response in removing from their web site products that defamed the heritage of Irish Americans and glorified the dangerous practice of binge drinking. These items, which appeared to be exclusively the products of third party vendors selling through the Walmart site, included such phrases as “Can't Regret What You Don't Remember St. Patrick’s Day”, “Irish, Drunk, Whatever”, “The Four Fathers of St. Patrick’s Day: Jack, Jim, Johnny, Jameson” and others. In response to a message from the … [Read more...] about Hibernians Commend Walmart for Swift Action in Response to Offensive Irish Stereotype Merchandise
Hibernians Thank the Friends of Ireland Caucus For Calling for the Appointment of a Special Envoy to Northern Ireland
In response to a 2/14/18 letter from the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the bipartisan Friends of Ireland Caucus today issued a statement calling on the President to fulfill his commitment to appoint a Special Envoy to Northern Ireland. The Hibernians wish to thank Chairman Neal and all members of the caucus for once again being responsive to the concerns of Irish America and championing the cause of peace and justice in North of Ireland. Given the collapse of recent talks to restore the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland, the role of a fair and impartial intermediary so … [Read more...] about Hibernians Thank the Friends of Ireland Caucus For Calling for the Appointment of a Special Envoy to Northern Ireland
Albany AOH helps the needy
Members of Albany AOH Div. 5 served meals to needy families at the Albany Rescue Mission. Led by Div. 5 President Tim Carey (fourth from left), AOH members volunteer monthly to work in the kitchen and dining room. Twenty Hibernians, including Kevin McNabb (pictured above, 10-years-old), worked at the shelter during Christmas week to help others in the name of Hibernian Hunger. … [Read more...] about Albany AOH helps the needy
With Collapse of Talks in Northern Ireland, Ancient Order of Hibernians Calls on President Trump to Fulfill Pledge to Appoint Special Envoy.
With the collapse today of talks seeking to restore the devolved Northern Ireland Government, the Ancient Order of Hibernians expressed their concern over the future of U.S. brokered Good Friday Agreement and renewed their calls for appointment of a U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland In a letter to President Trump, Secretary of State Tillerson and members of Congress, AOH Political Education Chairman Neil Cosgrove writes: “The statement made today by DUP leader Arlene Foster that there is no prospect that continued negotiations will lead to a restoration of Northern Ireland’s … [Read more...] about With Collapse of Talks in Northern Ireland, Ancient Order of Hibernians Calls on President Trump to Fulfill Pledge to Appoint Special Envoy.
Division 3 Pearl River, NY Keep the Season and Tradition Alive with Wren Night Festivities
Members of AOH Division 3 in Pearl River, NY get the continued the joy of Christmas and Irish Tradition alive with their annual Wren Night celebration. The Fest of St. Stephen on December 26th was traditionally a day of festivities where young boys would collect money to bury a Wren. The wren had a chequered history in Irish folklore as a devious bird. According to legend in a competition to determine who was the king of the birds by who could fly the highest, it hid on the back of an eagle; when the eagle tired it jumped off to continue higher and earn the crown. In other legends, it betrayed … [Read more...] about Division 3 Pearl River, NY Keep the Season and Tradition Alive with Wren Night Festivities
Hibernians Give Newsweek’s Defaming Article an “F”
In his Newsweek article “Why Are All the Conservative Loudmouths Irish-American?”, Professor Van Gosse of Franklin & Marshall College gives us a textbook example of “Confirmation Bias”. Confirmation Bias is defined as “the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs”. In the trappings of academic scholarship, Professor Gosse instead gives us a window into his own and, by its publication, Newsweek’s offensive preconceptions towards Irish Americans. As a professor of history, one has to wonder how Professor Gosse would grade a paper from one of his students … [Read more...] about Hibernians Give Newsweek’s Defaming Article an “F”
New AOH Division form in Westchester, Thomas Addis Emmet Division 17
The formation of the Thomas Addis Emmet Division 17 of Pelham & New Rochelle, Westchester County of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) took place on Monday, October 16, 2017. The new division is comprised of the next generation of the Irish American community; 25 Iona College students ranging in age from 18 to 24. The division was organized by its charter president, James McGlashin who canvassed the campus and surrounding community for prospective members. In addition to the college members, there were additional members recruited from the surrounding communities of Pelham and New … [Read more...] about New AOH Division form in Westchester, Thomas Addis Emmet Division 17
The Hypocrisy of MSNBC in Their Defaming Profiling of Irish American Catholics
In reading Congresswoman Frederica Wilson’s claims that White House Chief of Staff General John Kelly is a racist because he compared her to an “empty barrel making the most noise”, an outrageous accusation to which MSNBC hosts Joy Reid and Lawrence O’Donnell attempted to give further credence by offering as “evidence” that General Kelly is an Irish American from Boston, I am reminded of the story of the astronomer Percival Lowell. In the 1890’s, Lowell grabbed headlines by announcing the discovery of “canals” on the planet Mars. Lowell asserted that the “canals” could only … [Read more...] about The Hypocrisy of MSNBC in Their Defaming Profiling of Irish American Catholics
AOH Commends President’s Decision to Retain Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) welcomed today’s [09/26/2017] statement from President Trump expressing his commitment to retain the position of U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland. In making this decision, countermanding the earlier intentions of the State Department to eliminate this post, President Trump has reaffirmed America’s leadership in the cause of peace and justice in Northern Ireland. The AOH also expresses their profound gratitude to Congressman Richard Neal and the members of the Friends of Ireland caucus for espousing the continuing need for a Special … [Read more...] about AOH Commends President’s Decision to Retain Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.
AOH Helps the Hungry
Twenty-eight members of Division 3, Doylestown, Bucks County, PA, made the last of three food deliveries on June 23 for the needy of Bucks County. They are pictured moving the cases from the Weis Markets’ pallets and loading them into three groups in a truck and trailer. The organizer of the project, and long-time chairman of this ministry is brother Sean McArdle. The three agencies whose families benefit from the ministry are the Bucks County Housing Authority in Doylestown, The New Britain Baptist Church Larder and St. John the Baptist Church Kitchen in Ottsville. This activity occurs at … [Read more...] about AOH Helps the Hungry