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”
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”
Ancient Order of Hibernians Irish American Heritage Month Video
In recognition of March being Irish American Heritage Month, the Ancient Order of Hibernians have released a video commemorating the contributions that generations of Irish and Irish American men and women have made, and continue to make, to America … [Read more...] about Ancient Order of Hibernians Irish American Heritage Month Video
Tell Amazon To End “No Irish Need Apply” When It Comes To Respect and Tolerance
Currently, Amazon is selling an item labeled as a “F*ck St Patrick's Day Shirt.” Amazon describes the item as a “Funny Luck St. Patrick's Day Gift.” As of my writing, Amazon currently sells 130 items with the phrase “F*ck Me, I’m Irish.” A similar search replacing “Irish” with several other races and ethnicities returned ZERO results. Hundreds of other items defaming Irish Americans have messages such as "Irish Today Hungover Tomorrow", "Irish, Drunk, or Whatever", "Drink Till You're Irish" In response to concerns from other ethnic groups, Amazon has … [Read more...] about Tell Amazon To End “No Irish Need Apply” When It Comes To Respect and Tolerance
In Our Special Month, Don’t Be “That Guy,” Be A Hibernian
Brothers, we are about to enter the month of March, a month when we celebrate the contributions of the Irish to our Nation and the World and remember our Patron Saint St. Patrick, a man of faith, compassion, and humility who created a light from Ireland that illuminated the world in the Dark Ages and continues to shine. We have a lot to be proud of; we have a lot to celebrate. Unfortunately, many see our holiday as having no more depth than a pint of green beer, a green bacchanal combining the worst elements of Halloween and a college kegger. The only green others see is the greening of the … [Read more...] about In Our Special Month, Don’t Be “That Guy,” Be A Hibernian
Call to Action on Irish American Heritage Month
We are currently in the final stages of preparing a new Irish American Heritage Month Video. Last year our video proclaimed Irish American Heritage Month to thousands on social media and the web. This year we wish to better that. We ask each of you not only to watch it but to share it on Facebook, Twitter, etc. and encourage others to do the same. It takes less than 2 minutes, yet if every Hibernian took the opportunity to share this video, then we should have no less than tens of thousands of shares. Tens of thousands of shares will be noticed promoting not only IAHM but the Hibernians. We … [Read more...] about Call to Action on Irish American Heritage Month
AOH Condemns “Anti-St. Patrick’s Day” Sentiments on Amazon
Note expletives referenced have been obfuscated, the items in question show them in their explicit form. In a letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, the Ancient Order of Hibernians again note the hypocrisy of Amazon claiming to promote diversity and tolerance while selling an item with emblazoned with "F*ck St. Patrick's Day" with the self-professed intent of promoting “Anti-St. Patrick’s Day” attitudes. National Anti-Defamation Chair Neil F. Cosgrove writes: Currently, Amazon is selling an item labeled as an “F*ck St Patrick's Day Shirt” (see URL below). Amazon … [Read more...] about AOH Condemns “Anti-St. Patrick’s Day” Sentiments on Amazon
A Christmas Message From the Irish American Heritage Month Chair
In has long been an Irish Tradition to place a candle in the window at Christmas time. The popular story is that this is done to guide Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem, a beautiful sentiment. However, the tradition stems from a darker, sadder story; of a time when to be a Catholic in Ireland was to be a criminal and to be a priest or shelter a priest could result in being sent in chains to Barbados. The candle was a sign that a brave family was willing to take that risk and give shelter to a priest and welcome their neighbors to share Christmas Mass with them. Today, the Christmas … [Read more...] about A Christmas Message From the Irish American Heritage Month Chair
A Perspective on the 12/12/19 United Kingdom Elections
The British election of 12/12/19 can without hyperbole be described as a seismic event in the history of the United Kingdom, and its tremors will undoubtedly impact Ireland. Three items put the impact of last night into perspective: The Tory party has won its biggest victory since Margaret Thatcher captured a third term in 1987 The Labour party has suffered its worst defeat since 1935. For the first time since partition, Northern Ireland has returned more Nationalist than Union MPs to Westminster. So, what does this mean? First, it means that barring some … [Read more...] about A Perspective on the 12/12/19 United Kingdom Elections
Political Education Update, December 2019
Brothers, there is no other way to start this article than with a tremendous “Thank You” for all your support that was pivotal in obtaining a stay of deportation for our Brother Malachy McAllister. Many pundits had come to accept that Brother McAllister’s deportation on November 29th was a fait accompli, yet you by your phone calls to the White House in response to the call to action turned the tide. The White House switchboard reported they received thousands of calls; those five-minute phone calls turned the tide to allow an Irish immigrant who has complied with all U.S. law and … [Read more...] about Political Education Update, December 2019
In Letter to U.S. Vice President, Ancient Order of Hibernians Call for Equal Respect for Irish Sovereignty
In a letter written by National Political Education Chair Neil Cosgrove to US Vice President Michael Pence, the Ancient Order of Hibernians express concern regarding recent comments made by the Vice President while visiting Ireland which admonished the Irish government to “to negotiate in good faith with prime minister Johnson, and work to reach an agreement that respects the United Kingdom’s sovereignty.” The letter states: We are greatly troubled by the sentiment you expressed in your statement “As the deadline for Brexit approaches we urge Ireland and the European Union, as well, to … [Read more...] about In Letter to U.S. Vice President, Ancient Order of Hibernians Call for Equal Respect for Irish Sovereignty
Call to Action: Have Your Elected Representatives Commit to Preserving the Good Friday Agreement Against the Risks of Brexit.
Brothers: We are less than 90 days out from a climatic point in the history of the world which will remake the map of Europe and have dramatic consequences for our brothers and sister in Ireland: Brexit. The current Brexit deadline is October 31st, and newly elected Prime Minister Johnson has threatened that unless the European Union accedes to Britain’s demands they will leave without a deal, “a hard Brexit.” The economic disruption of a “hard Brexit” will touch every corner of the world, including the United States, and nowhere will the impact be more keenly felt than Ireland where … [Read more...] about Call to Action: Have Your Elected Representatives Commit to Preserving the Good Friday Agreement Against the Risks of Brexit.
Minority Leader Schumer Responds to Hibernian Request To Make GFA U.K. Trade Deal Precondition
In response to a request made by the Ancient Order of Hibernians to members of Congress and the Senate to register their support for the Good Friday Agreement and their concern for the damage that a hard Brexit could pose to two decades of peace in Ireland, Senator Minority Leader Charles Schumer has written Secretary of State Pompeo and British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stating “He will vigorously and vociferously oppose any potential U.S.-U.K. trade deal that undermines the Good Friday Agreement or a return to a hard border.” Senator Schumer’s letter is available below. The … [Read more...] about Minority Leader Schumer Responds to Hibernian Request To Make GFA U.K. Trade Deal Precondition
AOH Responds to Senator Tom Cotton and Colleagues Pledge of “Unwavering Support” for Brexit; Reminds of Good Friday Commitments.
In response to a letter written by Senator Cotton to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and signed by 44 members of the Senate pledging “unwavering support” to Britain irrespective of the course Brexit takes, National President McKay and Politcal Education Chairman Neil Cosgrove have written to Senator Cotten to express their concern that the Senator's letter fails to address the challenges that Brexit and a potential hard border posed to the Irish People. Dear Senator Cotton: We write to you as the National President and Political Education Chairman of the … [Read more...] about AOH Responds to Senator Tom Cotton and Colleagues Pledge of “Unwavering Support” for Brexit; Reminds of Good Friday Commitments.
On the Third Anniversary of Brexit, Britain is Still Looking for its Cake
Note that is an Op Ed that appeared in the July 10, 2019 edition of the Irish Echo. On June 23rd, the Brexit Referendum, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU), celebrated its third anniversary. To put that in perspective, that was two English Prime Ministers and two Brexit deadline extensions ago. In this period, the British Conservative party suffered a shocking defeat at the polls and, despite concerns over the impact Brexit could have on the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) peace process entered into a “Confidence and Supply Agreement” with … [Read more...] about On the Third Anniversary of Brexit, Britain is Still Looking for its Cake
INDEPENDENCE DAY – 2019
Click for Large Hi-Res Image of the Full Declaration...As we celebrate our Nation’s Independence, we as Irish Americans should take special pride in the day. Nine of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Irish descent, including the only non-Protestant, Charles Carroll. The Secretary of the Continental Congress was from Derry, the first printing was done by a printer from Tyrone, and it was read in public for the first time by the son of an immigrant from Wexford. At a minimum, 25% (some estimates go as high as 40%) of Washington’s Army was Irish including a large number of … [Read more...] about INDEPENDENCE DAY – 2019
US State Department Visa Policy “ Visits the Sins of the Fathers Upon the Sons (and Daughters)” of Ex-Prisoners of the Troubles
From the Political Education and Immigration Chairs Part of the foundational ethos of the United States is that individuals are treated based on their merits; rejecting the Old World concepts of royalty and aristocracy where a person is judged based on who their parents were. That American belief was a beacon of hope to the thousands of Irish who came to America in search of being able to achieve their full potential, and America has benefited incalculably from their energy and drive. It is therefore extremely disconcerting to learn that the US Department of State has repudiated this core … [Read more...] about US State Department Visa Policy “ Visits the Sins of the Fathers Upon the Sons (and Daughters)” of Ex-Prisoners of the Troubles
AOH Congratulates Edward Crawford on Appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland
The Ancient Order of Hibernians welcomed the news today that Edward Crawford has been confirmed as Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland. It has been 874 days since there has been a U.S. Ambassador to this oldest of friends to the United States. The Hibernian's are heartened by the news that the special relationship between two nations which the exchange of Ambassadors signifies has been renewed. At this critical moment in history, when Brexit may have profound collateral consequences to the prosperity of the island of Ireland, we believe Mr. Crawford experience as a successful … [Read more...] about AOH Congratulates Edward Crawford on Appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland
Brexit Trade Deal Should Be Contingent On Existing Good Friday Agreement Commitments Fulfillment
In his remarks from London today, President Trump stated that “the United States is committed to a phenomenal trade deal between the US and the UK.” Respectfully, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) reminds the President of the existing U.S. commitment as a guarantor of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and asks that its fulfillment and the delivery of lasting peace in Ireland must be a precondition to any future US/UK trade deal. Twenty-one years on from that groundbreaking achievement of United States diplomacy, the government of the United Kingdom still has not delivered on many of its Good … [Read more...] about Brexit Trade Deal Should Be Contingent On Existing Good Friday Agreement Commitments Fulfillment
Hibernians Thank President Trump, Members of the Senate, House and Cardinal Dolan for Six Month Stay of McAllister Deportation, Call for Fixing the System.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians wish to express their appreciation to President Trump for another stay of deportation for Malachy McAllister. This stay would not have been possible without the direct involvement and untiring efforts of Senator Schumer, Senator Graham, Senator Menendez, Rep. Peter King, Rep. Eliot Engel, Rep. Bill Pascrell, Rep. Richie Neal, Rep. Chris Smith, other Senate and House supporters, and his Eminence Cardinal Dolan. At a time when there is little common ground in Washington, that so many prominent figures in their respective parties and the Cardinal of … [Read more...] about Hibernians Thank President Trump, Members of the Senate, House and Cardinal Dolan for Six Month Stay of McAllister Deportation, Call for Fixing the System.