The Ancient Order of Hibernians

The Oldest and Largest Irish-Catholic Organization in the United States. Established 1836

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Neil Cosgrove

The U.S. Can’t Be Played for Puppets

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While we hope we can bring a smile during these trying times in the best tradition of Jonathan Swift, the threat that Brexit and the Internal Market Bill pose to the Good Friday Agreement is no laughing matter. It is critical that we send a clear message to our elected officials, especially those newly elected, that the United States should not be played for a puppet in getting a U.K./U.S. trade deal; that we will not enter into new commitments with a Britain that has consistently failed to honor its two-decades-old commitments under the Good Friday Agreement. https://youtu.be/bqVvhF0KODk … [Read more...] about The U.S. Can’t Be Played for Puppets

A Halloween Lesson for Election Day.

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In a few days, we will be celebrating the holiday of Halloween.  The holiday has specific significance for us as Irish Americans.  Like St. Patrick's Day, Halloween is a beloved tradition brought to America by Irish immigrants.  It dates back thousands of years to the ancient festival of Samhain, which was the Celtic New Year.   As with most ancient peoples, the Celts were keen observers of the sun and the night sky, which was essential for the agriculture they relied on for survival.  Most cultures set their Calendar by the extremes of the sun's progression through the heavens; today, … [Read more...] about A Halloween Lesson for Election Day.

The Cushwa Center at Notre Dame 2020 Hibernian Lecture “The Idea of Greater Ireland”

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https://youtu.be/p-Lm5AQjl_I On Friday, October 9, the 2020 Hibernian Lecture was presented by Colin Barr (University of Aberdeen). Stained glass window depicting Daniel O'Connell, “Liberator of Ireland,” at St. Patrick's Parish Church in Boorowa, New South Wales. With an appointment as the Herbert Allen and Donald R. Keough Visiting Faculty Fellow, Barr is visiting Notre Dame’s Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies this academic year from the University of Aberdeen, where he is senior lecturer in modern Irish history. Barr is author of Ireland’s Empire: The Roman Catholic … [Read more...] about The Cushwa Center at Notre Dame 2020 Hibernian Lecture “The Idea of Greater Ireland”

AOH Calls on Administration to Support Good Friday Agreement and Irish Protocol

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The Ancient Order of Hibernians welcomes news of the trip to Ireland by the United States Special Envoy Mick Mulvaney and his comment to RTE Television that the United States would "protect and defend" the Good Friday Agreement.  However, the Hibernians are disappointed that there seems to be a continued reluctance by the administration to make a clear, concise, and unambiguous statement that preserving the Good Friday Agreement by precluding the return of a British border in Ireland is a U.S. priority and necessary precondition to future U.S./U.K. agreements. The Hibernians believe that … [Read more...] about AOH Calls on Administration to Support Good Friday Agreement and Irish Protocol

Commodore Barry Day 2020

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Commodore John Barry, 1801 Portrait by Gilbert Stuart Per our National Constitution, September 13th is designated "Commodore Barry Day," a national holiday of the Order.  If you are not aware of who Commodore Barry is, you are not alone, for sadly, you are in the company of the majority of Americans.  This speaks to the importance of the day and a significance of which extends far beyond the man himself. When one looks at the 1801 portrait of Barry by Gilbert Stuart, one may get a false impression of Barry; the painting shows an old man in declining health (Barry would die two … [Read more...] about Commodore Barry Day 2020

175th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Great Hunger

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On September 13, 1845, the British Publication, "The Gardner's Journal," announced, "We stop the Press with very great regret to announce that the potato murrain [blight] has unequivocally declared itself in Ireland." That date is considered the precursor of An Gorta Mor, the "Great Hunger." Over the next five years, Ireland would lose a quarter of its population, over two million people, to death and starvation. 2020 marks the 175th anniversary of the start of the great hunger. Ironically, observances of this tragic inflection point in Irish and Irish American history are constrained as … [Read more...] about 175th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Great Hunger

The Gavel is Passed

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Newly Immediate Past President Judge James McKay III (center left) passes the gavel to newly elect National President Danny O'Connell (center right). They are flanked by newly elected Vice President Sean Pender (left) and Secretary Jere Cole (right) It is customary to say after each AOH convention that "it was a convention like no other", but nothing could be more true about the 100th biannual National Convention held in this COVID year of 2020. For the first time, the Convention was held on-line which saw exceptional participation by the members. It shows that despite being an … [Read more...] about The Gavel is Passed

Statement on the Passing of Congressman John Lewis

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The sons of Martin McGuinness meeting with Congressman John Lewis as he endorsed the McGuinness Principles which call for justice and civil rights in the north of Ireland. Shown are Peter Kissel (IAUC), Fiachra McGuinness, Congressman John Lewis, Emmett McGuinness, Marty Glennon (Brehons), AOH National Treasurer Sean Pender It is with deep sadness that we learn of the passing of Congressman John Lewis, a man dedicated to improving the lives of others and who realize that the fight for Civil Rights transcends peoples and borders. The Congressman was an early signer of the McGuinness … [Read more...] about Statement on the Passing of Congressman John Lewis

Deafening Media Silence in Reporting of Wave of Catholic Church Attacks

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Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala, Florida After Being Attacked.Image Marion County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page It is with shock and profound sadness that the Ancient Order of Hibernians learned of the senseless attack upon Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala, Florida on Saturday, 11 July as parishioners were preparing for mass. According to police, a man crashed a minivan through the front door of the church and then ignited an incendiary device/accelerant causing a fire that resulted in extensive damage to the building. By the grace of God, all those who were in the … [Read more...] about Deafening Media Silence in Reporting of Wave of Catholic Church Attacks

Amazon’s “Irish Livers Matter” Merchandise; Twice the Defamation At One Low Price

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Amazon's Choice "Irish Livers Matter Shirt" Amazon continues to hypocritically talk about embracing respect for all heritages and diversity while peddling prejudice for profit. Currently on Amazon there are 142 Items for sale with the phrase “Irish Livers Matter”. One of the items is even labeled “Amazon’s Choice.” This is in addition to numerous items emblazoned with “Irish Lives Matter”, but certainly “Irish Livers Matter” plumbs new depths of defamation, there is no uninformed or misguided positive spin or nuanced interpretation one can put on “Irish Livers Matter”; it … [Read more...] about Amazon’s “Irish Livers Matter” Merchandise; Twice the Defamation At One Low Price

Statement from Senator Robert Menendez on Deportation of Malachy McAllister

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Senator Robert Menendez “Today is a sad day for the McAllister family and New Jersey’s Irish community. Deporting a community leader who poses no national security or public safety threat is not only a clear injustice, but also contrary to our nation’s values,” Sen. Menendez said. “By forcefully deporting Mr. McAllister to a place he fled because his life was put in danger, the Trump Administration is showing the immorality of their indiscriminate immigration policies.”  “This man’s deportation is shameful and will not make America safer. Mr. McAllister is a good man who built a life for … [Read more...] about Statement from Senator Robert Menendez on Deportation of Malachy McAllister

Rockland AOH Supports “Virtual 5K” To Feed The Hungry

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Rockland County AOH President John McGowan presents a check from the Hibernians to Orangetown, NY Supervisor Teresa Kenny to sponsor the Orangetown "Virtual 5K", an innovative fund raiser to help those in need. Adapting to the need for social distancing, runners who register will run the race individually over the course of the next few weeks. All proceeds raised will go to benefit food pantries in the community which are currently facing unprecedented demands during the COVID-19 pandemic. … [Read more...] about Rockland AOH Supports “Virtual 5K” To Feed The Hungry

AOH Pipers Rally Those on the COVID-19 Frontline

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For hundreds of years, the skirl of the pipes have been used to call communities to action against a common foe, to summon courage and to boost morale when hope was challenged. So effective were the pipes in uniting and inspiring people that the English once banned them. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, AOH Division 3, Pearl River member Dermot Moore and his sons have played a nightly tribute at 7:00 PM, a time at which it has now become a tradition to honor those on the front lines of the COVID-19 fight, and to remember those whom this insidious disease has claimed. … [Read more...] about AOH Pipers Rally Those on the COVID-19 Frontline

Embrace Your Irish Heritage, Say It on The Census!

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Amidst the current healthcare crisis, we can not lose the importance of the United States Census to Irish America.  Results of the U.S. 2020 Census will influence individuals, communities, governments, for-profit entities, and nonprofit organizations throughout the next decade. Data obtained will inform decision-makers in all sectors and lead to the allocation of political power and financial resources.   For the first time in many years, the Census form will have a question on Ethnic Origins (question 9 for the Head of household, question 7 for remaining household members).  … [Read more...] about Embrace Your Irish Heritage, Say It on The Census!

AOH: U.K. Using COVID-19 To Cover Breaking Good Friday Commitments Reprehensible

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In a letter to newly appointed Northern Ireland Special Envoy Mick Mulvaney, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) call on Mr. Mulvaney to express opposition to Britain's intention not to investigate the majority of the 2,000 unsolved killings from the conflict known as "the Troubles" and to grant immunity from prosecution to members of Britain's Security Forces. The Hibernians question why these actions in contravention to the Good Friday Agreement are being pursued by Britain at a time when the world is focused on the COVID-19 Crisis.   " On March 18 th , Secretary of … [Read more...] about AOH: U.K. Using COVID-19 To Cover Breaking Good Friday Commitments Reprehensible

AOH Condemns NY Governor’s Irish Accent Stunt, Cancellation of Beloved NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade No Time for Paddywhackery

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The Ancient Order of Hibernians  are shocked and disappointed that during a 3/11 press conference dealing with the response to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and the heartbreaking announcement that for the first time in 258 years the NY St. Patrick's Day parade will not take place on March 17th that NY Governor Andrew Cuomo decided that this was an appropriate time to engage in stereotypical stage-Irishmanism. In response to a question from a reporter concerning what authority he was invoking to cancel the NYC St. Patrick's Day parade, the Governor decided to go for a cheap … [Read more...] about AOH Condemns NY Governor’s Irish Accent Stunt, Cancellation of Beloved NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade No Time for Paddywhackery

AOH Statement on the Appointment of Special Envoy to Northern Ireland

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 The Ancient Order of Hibernians wish to congratulate Mr. Mulvaney on his appointment as Special Envoy to Northern Ireland. The Hibernians also thank President Trump for fulfilling his promised commitment to maintaining this crucial diplomatic position, reaffirming the United States' commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and the Northern Ireland peace process.   It is highly appropriate that President Trump has announced this appointment shortly after proclaiming March as "Irish American Heritage Month"; a time when America reflects on the oldest of American "special … [Read more...] about AOH Statement on the Appointment of Special Envoy to Northern Ireland

Irish American Heritage Month: The Foley Brothers “No greater love than to lay down your life for another”

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At the young age of 32, Thomas Foley was already an 11-year decorated veteran firefighter of the FDNY and a legend. He was a larger than life individual who embraced life to the fullest and seemed to excel at everything he tried from powerlifting to skydiving. Having learned to ride horses on visits to his grandfather's farm, he even excelled as a competitor on the rodeo circuit. With boyish good looks, Thomas Foley was featured twice by People Magazine and appeared in the FDNY's "2003 Calendar of Heroes." However, being a firefighter was Thomas Foley's first passion; it was all he wanted … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: The Foley Brothers “No greater love than to lay down your life for another”