from National Director Bill Sullivan ... Recently the AOH Connecticut State Board’s 9th Annual Softball Tournament was held at Foote Field in Milford, CT, and was hosted by the JFK Division 1 of Bridgeport, CT. Divisions across the “Constitution State” fielded teams in this annual tournament of goodwill. Each year a particular charity is selected to receive the proceeds from this endeavor. The recipient selected for the proceeds of this year’s game was the Arthur C. Luft Children’s Burn Camp, which is located in Union, CT, which is on the Massachusetts state line near Sturbridge … [Read more...] about Connecticut AOH Divisions Play Softball for a Cause!
Around the Divisions
St Louis AOH Honors One of their Favorite Veterans
from National Director John Wilson On October 1st, the ninety-first Greater St Louis Honor Flight took 58 Korean War Veterans along with Greater St Louis Honor Flight Staff, Guardians and Volunteers that made this one day trip go so smooth to Washington DC. On board this flight was our Past National AOH President George Clough who served in the USAF and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The Greater St. Louis Honor Flight honors St. Louis area Veterans’ service to our country by providing an all-inclusive trip to Washington, DC to visit the memorials built in their honor. The St … [Read more...] about St Louis AOH Honors One of their Favorite Veterans
AOH Division 6 Officer Jack Duffy Raises Scholarship Money
from National Director Ed Halligan The Officer Jack Duffy Division is named after a Philadelphia Police Officer killed in the line of duty on December 10, 1983. His patrol wagon was struck by a patrol car as the vehicles responded to an officer needs assistance call. Officer Duffy was on the force for 1 year and 9 months. He was 22 years old.The Division keeps his memory alive by running grade school basketball tournaments and essay contests. The money raised is used for Catholic high school scholarships … [Read more...] about AOH Division 6 Officer Jack Duffy Raises Scholarship Money
125 Years Strong! – Division 14 Watertown, MA.
from National Director Bill Sullivan On Saturday, November 26, 2019 Division 14 in Watertown, Massachusetts celebrated the 125th Anniversary of their founding in November 1894. Members of the Division, their families and friends filled their Division Hall from wall to wall and proudly celebrated this great milestone. Richard Thompson, Past Division, Past Middlesex County and Past Mass State President and Division 14’s present Treasurer, served as Chairmen of the event. In the members lounge, scrapbooks of newspaper clippings and photos along with a DVD of the Division’s history were on … [Read more...] about 125 Years Strong! – Division 14 Watertown, MA.
Newport Division 1 Hosts Rhode Island AOH State Convention
from National Director Bill Sullivan The Dennis E. Collins Division 1 AOH of Newport Rhode Island hosted the 2019 Rhode Island State Convention on Saturday, September 21 at their Division Home. AOH RI State President Wick Rudd opened the State Convention and welcomed the delegates who were in attendance. In his report President Rudd spoke on what had been accomplished over the past two years and the boards efforts to support all the Divisions in their state. He thanked his officers for their time, talent and efforts while he served as President. Following the President’s remarks, each of … [Read more...] about Newport Division 1 Hosts Rhode Island AOH State Convention
Iowa State Board Meeting Held in Waterloo
from John Wilson, National Director... The Iowa State Board Meeting and Election was held August 2, 2019 in Waterloo, Iowa in conjunction with the Iowa Irish Fest. Elected to the Iowa State Board were, State President Rob McCullough (Dubuque Div. #2), State Vice President Terry McGrane (5 Sullivan Brothers Div.), State Recording Secretary Jerry McGrane (Dubuque Div. #1), State Treasurer Mike Martin (Dubuque Div. #1) and State Chaplain is Rev. Dennis Quint (Dubuque Div. #1). The Cedar Valley Irish Cultural Association, founder of the Iowa Irish Fest, is an organization intended to foster … [Read more...] about Iowa State Board Meeting Held in Waterloo
The Western Cemetery Project
from Bill Sullivan, National Director... The Ancient Order of Hibernians has always been there to lend a hand to the people of Ireland, Irish Americans and Irish Immigrants who come to America in search of a better life. The Daniel O’Connell O’Donoughue Division 1 A.O.H. of Portland Maine has been following this precept since its founding in 1876 – 143 years ago! Western Cemetery was established by the Portland City Council in the late 1820’s and was Portland’s main burying ground from 1829 until 1852. Many of those buried there were Irish, since Calvary Cemetery, Portland’s first … [Read more...] about The Western Cemetery Project
Utica AOH Organizes Mass to Support Local Food Pantries
from Liam McNabb, National Director ... The John C. Devereux AOH Division in Utica, NY organized the annual Mass held in conjunction with the Great American Irish Festival in July. Father Sean O’Brien, local Hibernian, celebrated Mass for hundreds of festival attendees and local Sister and Brother Hibernians. The Devereux AOH Division set up the altar and coordinated the music and all details related to the successful event. AOH leadership and members served as lectors, eucharistic ministers and ushers. This year, the AOH Division collected $2,700 from the Mass donations and distributed … [Read more...] about Utica AOH Organizes Mass to Support Local Food Pantries
Michael Dougherty Division of Bucks County, PA
from Ed Halligan, National Director... The Michael Dougherty Division of Bucks County, PA was formed in 1883. The hall was built and occupied in 1892 making it one of the oldest Hibernian Halls if not the oldest. The Division is very active on social media and currently has over 360 members. … [Read more...] about Michael Dougherty Division of Bucks County, PA
Dollars for Scholars!
from Bill Sullivan, National Director ... As we all know the cost of a college education today can be very expensive. Realizing that many of their members had children of college age, President Charlie Sinclair of the Major John “Mike” Tivnan USMC Division 18 AOH in Salem, Massachusetts along with the Division Officers and members came up with the idea of an activity to raise funds for college scholarships for members children and grandchildren, while at the same time providing an enjoyable activity for its members their families and friends – a golf tournament! The first golf tournament … [Read more...] about Dollars for Scholars!
First Cousins Become 3rd Generation Hibernians in a Division named after their Grandad
from Dan Dennehy, National Director ... I was honored to participate in the Annual New York County Francis P. Beirne Division 9 Golf Outing was held in Van Cortlandt Golf Club, the oldest public course in America in late June. The Francis P Beirne / Frank McGreal Memorial Golf Outing remembers two late great Officers of the Division and is a family affair for the Beirne and McGreal families along with many friends. The Division is named for the former Chairman of the New York St Patricks Parade. This year, the golf attendees were introduced to three of its newest members, all … [Read more...] about First Cousins Become 3rd Generation Hibernians in a Division named after their Grandad
Irish Culture is alive and well in West Virginia!
from Dennis Parks, National Liaison... The largest Irish Road Bowling tournament in the World will take place on September 21st, 2019 in Wheeling, West Virginia. The event is sponsored and ran by the brothers of the AOH Bishop Whelan Division in Wheeling. Division President Tom Connelly and the brothers of the Bishop Whelan Division invite any and all to participate. For more information go to: https://aohwheeling.shutterfly.com/. … [Read more...] about Irish Culture is alive and well in West Virginia!
DC Divisions Mix Baseball and Heritage
from John Patrick Walsh, National Liaison... As summer heats up most of the DC divisions take a small break from official business and instead focus on fellowship. Baseball presents a wonderful occasion for Hibernian families to gather and enjoy the national pastime in our nation’s capital. Some divisions even use the opportunity to promote Irish culture amongst the Tri-State’s baseball fandom. PND Keith Carney and Commodore John Barry Division 1 have spearheaded “Irish Night @ Nats Park” in conjunction with the Washington Nationals for the past few years. Originally conceived as a … [Read more...] about DC Divisions Mix Baseball and Heritage
Irish Thunder of AOH Division #1 in Montgomery County performs at the Fourth of July Parade in Oreland, PA.
from Ed Halligan, National Director ... It’s great to have a Pipe Band. It brings great attention to Notre Dame Division #1. Division 1 uses local newspapers and social media to show their events and charitable endeavors. This also has just as big an impact on their recruitment. They are the largest Division in Montgomery County and one of the top Divsiions in Pennsylvania District One. … [Read more...] about Irish Thunder of AOH Division #1 in Montgomery County performs at the Fourth of July Parade in Oreland, PA.
AOH Dubuque Co., IA Celebrate Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
from John Wilson, National Director ... "O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine! All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine” The AOH Brothers of Dubuque County, Iowa led the procession of the Corpus Christi from the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, Iowa on June 23. The weather cooperated nicely for the Corpus Christi procession! The AOH had a good showing for the honor of carrying the Canopy in the St. Francis Xavier Basilica ~ Corpus Christi Procession. Dyersville is the home of the Field of Dreams movie site, the National Farm Toy Museum, a Basilica and a great … [Read more...] about AOH Dubuque Co., IA Celebrate Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Honoring an Irish Patriot!
from Bill Sullivan, National Director ... For nearly a half century, the Massachusetts AOH State Board on the third Saturday in June has sponsored the John Boyle O’Reilly Memorial Exercises at the grave of this Irish Patriot in Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline, MA. Annually Brother and Sister Hibernians across Massachusetts, and many from New Hampshire and Connecticut, as well as, the Greater Boston Irish Community gather to honor and remember a man who was one of the most highly regarded immigrants of his time. The Memorial Program begins with a Mass celebrated by the Mass AOH and LAOH State … [Read more...] about Honoring an Irish Patriot!
AOH John Barry Div. Annapolis Resists as MD tries to Legalize Assisted Suicide
from John Patrick Walsh, National Liaison MD/DC/VA Brothers and Sisters, I'm glad to be afforded the opportunity to highlight to great work of one of Maryland's finest divisions. This past March, the John Barry Division of Annapolis was instrumental in organizing AOH resistance when MD recently tried to legalize assisted suicide. Every indication pointed to this being the year that the MD legislature would pass such a bill. But through emails, letters, calls, and marches these brothers were part of the SUCCESSFUL campaign to defeat assisted suicide for another year. My sincere thanks to … [Read more...] about AOH John Barry Div. Annapolis Resists as MD tries to Legalize Assisted Suicide
Father Patrick McCabe Dedication Waseca, MN
from National Director John Wilson Saturday May 18, 2019, members of the two AOH Divisions in Minnesota -the Shamrock Division from LeSueur and the Archbishop John Ireland Division in St. Paul, came to St. Mary's Cemetery in Waseca, Minnesota to commemorated the unveiling of a memorial stone for Father Patrick McCabe. Thanks to George Thomas McLaughlin, AOH Member from Providence, Rhode Island and also the director of the Fenian Memorial Committee of America. Father Patrick McCabe played a heroic role in the escape of Fenians, including six on the whaling ship Catalpa in 1876 from the … [Read more...] about Father Patrick McCabe Dedication Waseca, MN
Irish Brigade Div. #1, Medina Co. OH, at the Hinckley Memorial Day Parade
from National Directory Dennis Parks A few of the members of The Irish Brigade #1 in Medina County, OH, marched in the Hinckley Memorial Day Parade, as they do every year. The parade ends at the Veterans Memorial where the Boy Scouts lay a wreath, followed by a prayer said by the AOH chaplain, Deacon Bruce Dobbins, himself a veteran. … [Read more...] about Irish Brigade Div. #1, Medina Co. OH, at the Hinckley Memorial Day Parade
AOH Div 2- Montgomery Co, PA Joins American Legion in Memorial Day Parade
from National Director Edward Halligan American Legion and the Ancient Order of Hibernians The American Legion Post 100 out of Wyndmoor, Pa have been sponsoring the Memorial Day Parade for decades. This year being the 100th anniversary of their Charter, the Post invited the AOH to be part of their parade Division #2 from Montgomery County, Division #80 from Philadelphia County along with the Glenside Gaelic Club and Division #46 from Philadelphia County responded with their Pipe Band. We marched together with the Pipers leading and the young athletes and their coaches behind us. It was a … [Read more...] about AOH Div 2- Montgomery Co, PA Joins American Legion in Memorial Day Parade