Around the Divisions

Members of the Wake County, NC AOH Division #1 joined with the Wake County, NC LAOH Div #2 and AOH/LAOH Division Chaplain Father Duggan. LAOH Division President Susan Cooke presenting the first reading This St. Patrick's Day, the Wake County, NC Division #1 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians gathered at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church in Raleigh, NC, for a profound celebration rooted in our Irish heritage and Catholic faith. The Mass, led by Division Chaplain Father Duggan, was a moving tribute to our enduring traditions. LAOH member Debra Foley, from County Kerry, Ireland, … [Read more...] about Wake County, NC Division #1 Celebrates 1st Annual AOH St. Patrick’s Day Mass

Pictured with Monsignor Brian is Division 2’s Past President (and Division 2’s 2025 Hibernian of the Year), Matt Buckley. On February 3 rd , after Suffolk County, NY Division 2’s men’s monthly meeting was completed, Division 2’s chaplain Monsignor Brian McNamara offered to all men in attendance to have their throats blessed, to celebrate this Feast Day.Saint Blaise is the patron saint of throat illness. He is also the patron saint of doctors who treat throat ailments. According to the Acts, while Bishop Blaise was being taken into custody, a distraught mother, whose only child was choking … [Read more...] about Suffolk County, NY St. Patrick’s Division 2 Celebrates the Feast of St. BlaiseBabylon, NY:

The February meeting of AOH Division 17 took place on Tuesday, February 18th, at the United Irish Cultural Center. Following the meeting, several members took the opportunity to visit the Patrick J. Dowling Library at the Irish Center to view a recent painting of Fr. Peter Yorke by AOH Division 17 member and artist Jim Gleeson. The artwork, a tribute to Fr. Yorke’s enduring legacy, was a highlight of the visit, offering a meaningful way for members to honor the priest’s contributions to both the Irish community and the Church. The library continues to serve as an important space for … [Read more...] about AOH Members Visit the Dowling Library

A painting of Fr. Yorke proudly hanging in the Patrick J Dowling Library at the United Irish Cultural Center. This year marks the centenary of the death of Fr. Peter Yorke, a beloved American Irish Catholic priest who served at St. Peter’s Church in San Francisco during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Throughout his life, Fr. Yorke was a staunch defender of the Catholic Church against bigotry, a vocal champion for labor rights, and an advocate for Irish Nationalism. Fr. Yorke's story is beautifully captured in the book Consecrated Thunderbolt: Father Yorke of San … [Read more...] about AOH San Francisco Division 17 to Honor the Centenary of Fr. Peter Yorke’s Death

Babylon, N.Y. – On Saturday, August 24th, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. Patrick’s Division 2 hosted a “Back the Blue” fundraiser to raise funds for the Brotherhood forthe Fallen, Suffolk County Chapter. AOH St. Patrick’s Division 2, here in Babylon, NY held a fundraiser to help the “Brotherhood for the Fallen”, Suffolk County chapter. The event was held at the AOH / Irish Cultural Center at 27 Locust Avenue, Babylon, NY. AOH St. Patrick’s Division 2 president, Jim McGrath said: “it’s our honor to assist in raising funds for such a worthy cause for the men and women in law … [Read more...] about AOH St. Patrick’s Division 2 (Suffolk County, NY) Raises$3,800 for “BACK THE BLUE” BBQ Fundraiser

The Archbishop John Ireland Division 4 Christmas celebration included a reading by Division4 member Mark Connor from his book, “It’s About Time (Millions of Copies Sold for Dad),”winner of Irish Network Minnesota’s 2024 Bloomsday Literary award. Described as a “sagawrapped around a package of poems guarded by angels,” the autobiography that reads like anovel, honors his deceased father, Division 4 member Robert J. Connor. It is available athttps://boxersandwritersmagazine.com/books/ and includes local Irish-American historyincluding stories from Division members. Mark Connor signing a copy … [Read more...] about Ramsey County Division 4 Christmas Party Included Reading for Member and local Author

AOH Hartford collected toys for Saint Augustine’s in Hartford. Hartford Division 2 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians held a successful Toy/Gift Card Drive on Saturday, December 14. Three carloads of toys were collected in addition to over $300 worth of gift cards. The collection took place at Christ the King Parish in Wethersfield and benefitted The Helping Hands Project at Saint Augustine Parish in the south end of Hartford. The generosity of those that donated will make Christmas brighter for many families in Connecticut’s capital city. Hartford AOH has been … [Read more...] about Hartford Division 2 Holds Christmas Toy/Gift Card Drive

At the December meeting of the Michael Collins, Cumberland Co Div 1,  a donation of $1,000 was presented to a representative of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.  We were informed that our $1,000 would create a meal for 4,000 individuals in need in the local Harrisburg, PA area.    Cumberland Co PA Div 1 donates $1,000 to the Central PA Food Bank … [Read more...] about Michael Collin Cumberland Co, PA Div #1 Makes Donation to Central Pennsylvania Food Bank

Members of the Michael Collins, Cumberland Co Div. 1, gathered with our Chaplain on Veterans Day to honor the gravesite of Michael J Madden. Madden was the first Irish born recipient of the US Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Civil War. Madden is buried in Harrisburg, PA. Cumberland County PA Division 1 honors first Irish born U.S. Medal of Honor recipient … [Read more...] about AOH Members Gather to Honor First Irish Born U.S. Medal of Honor Recipient

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

John F Kennedy Division #59 came together on April 27th to help St. Vincent DePaul’s food pantry at St. Thomas More. Division #59 regularly donates to local food pantries throughout the south side of Chicago to ensure that families do not have to make choices between medical bills and food. Hibernians in action, giving back to our community. (Hibernians members in picture Left to Right) Joe Kennelly, Joe McGovern, Kevin Gill, Michael O’Connor, Tim Noonan … [Read more...] about Illinois – Chicago Division #59 Supports Those in Need

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