Around the Divisions

Hartford Division 2 has had a busy fall with the highlight coming on September 25 with a pig roast at the Irish-American Home Society in Glastonbury, which was attended by over 60 people. Funds raised from the event benefited the fight against hunger in the Hartford area and the annual Greater Hartford Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Hartford Division 2 continues to hold monthly food drives to benefit the pantry at Saint Augustine Church in the South End of Hartford and has been doing so since May 2020. In addition, the Division has provided over 100 loaves of bread to the shelter at St. … [Read more...] about AOH Hartford Holds Fall Pig Roast

MANORVILLE, N.Y. – On Sunday, September 18th, the Suffolk County Boards of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians dedicated a historic Irish Mass Rock on the grounds of the Tom and Kathleen Clarke Memorial in recognition of their commitment to Irish independence. In 1987 A team of dedicated Ancient Order of Hibernians in America from the men’s ladies Suffolk County Boards embarked on a mission to uncover proof that Irish patriots Thomas and Kathleen Clarke owned a 60-acre farm in Manorville, New York. After many long hours, an arduous and diligent … [Read more...] about Mass Rock Dedicated at Historic Clarke Memorial Homesite

Held annually by the Irish American Unity Conference, Peter Kissell organized an annual commemoration of Robert Emmet, with DC AOH in support, at the Robert Emmet Statue that sits near the residence of the Irish Ambassador in Washington D.C.  Robert Emmet was an Irish Freedom fighter, who was unsuccessful with overthrowing the British Crown, and was executed by the British at the age of 25 in the year of 1803.  It was a beautiful day to join the DC AOH, and LAOH, and to meet and hear from the new Irish Ambassador, Geraldine Byrne Nason.  Emmet's patriotism and … [Read more...] about Emmet Statue Commemoration

The Jamie Forzono Championship Trophy was presented by Hartford Brothers Kevin Morton (far left) and Tim Tully (far right) to Brothers Jeff Toohil, Tom Giblin, Chip Jarry and John Elie of Worcester (Mass.) AOH. The Ancient Order of Hibernians Hartford Division 2 held its annual Irish Road Bowling Tournament on Saturday, July 16. The event was held at Riverside Park along the Connecticut River in Hartford. Approximately 30 teams took part in the event, which raised funds to fight hunger in the Hartford area. The championship trophy was named for Jamie Forzono, a former AOH Hartford president … [Read more...] about Irish Road Bowling Tournament (Hartford Division 2)

On May 25, 2022, the Nashville Ancient Order of Hibernians were honored to attend and participate in a Nashville Irish networking event.  Special guest Daniel Mulhall, the Irish Ambassador to the United States, is shown here receiving an Associate Membership plaque from members of our Sons of Erin Division. The event was coordinated in large part by local AOH member Conor Doolan and Ms. Caoimhe Ní Chonchúir, the Irish Consul General for the Southeastern U.S. in Atlanta. … [Read more...] about AOH Nashville Meets with Irish Ambassador to the United States

On Sunday April 24th, AOH Suffolk County Board held their annual remembrance and wreath laying at the site of the farmland purchased in 1906 by Thomas & Kathleen Daly Clarke.  The event held annually in Manorville, Long Island, NY was attended by AOH & LAOH members from Suffolk County, NY including Suffolk County Presidents Bill Gorham and Sue O’Neill.  NYS Past President Vic Vogel was in attendance as well as Past Suffolk County Presidents, current Suffolk County officers and Suffolk County Division Presidents and members. New to the Clarke site was the newly installed … [Read more...] about AOH Suffolk County Board – Remembering Thomas & Kathleen Daly Clarke

Dauphin County, Division One (Harrisburg, PA) “Bobby Sands” Division Brother Caba presented to the Division, in his second appearance, the significance of the Irish in the Civil War. He also displayed memorabilia from the J. Howard Wert collection which he now curates. A private collector for over 40 years, Brother Caba has authored several books on the Civil War and has lectured to many organizations, notably the Union League of Philadelphia. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and former High School teacher. … [Read more...] about Noted Civil War Historian and Author, Brother Craig Caba, Presents to Division

Pipe Major Brian Wells with the Irish Diaspora tartan fly plaid over his shoulder. In March of 2020 the brothers of the Wake County Division #1 helped form a new Irish pipe band called An Gorta Mór Pipes & Drums. Despite the hurdles they faced in getting the band started amid a global pandemic, their Irish spirit and tenacity drove them to push forward with their plans. This past week they met their initial goal by marching in their first Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade. They hope to celebrate many more St. Patrick’s Day parades and help share our Culture with their local … [Read more...] about There’s a New Irish Pipe Band in Town – Wake County, NC Division #1

The Ancient Order of Hibernians Hartford Division 2 dedicated the Irish Canal Workers Memorial in Windsor Locks, Conn., on Sunday, March 20.The memorial honors the 400 immigrant laborers who left their homeland in Ireland and came to the area between May 1827 and November 1829 to build the canal bypassing the treacherous Enfield Rapids. In particular, the memorial honors those canal workers and family members that are buried in an unmarked cemetery that is located about 100 yards and across the canal from where the memorial is placed.The fundraising for the memorial came from gifts as large … [Read more...] about Irish Canal Workers Memorial Dedication – Hartford, Connecticut Division #2

On Saturday Mach 12, 2022 AOH Suffolk County President, Bill Gorham received a proclamation from Suffolk County Executive, Steve Bellone.  County Executive Bellone (who is a Hibernian Brother from Suffolk County's Division 2), stated; "on behalf of the 1.5 million residents of Suffolk County, I officially proclaim that March 2022 is Irish American Heritage Month here in Suffolk County. We celebrate and recognize the rich history and the many contributions of the Irish and Irish-Americans over the years here in our County".  President Gorham proudly accepted this proclamation … [Read more...] about AOH Suffolk County (NY) Board – Irish-American Heritage Month

The Ancient Order of Hibernians Hartford Division 2 has successfully completed fundraising to build a monument to remember a forgotten Irish-Catholic cemetery in Windsor Locks, Conn.The memorial will honor the 400 immigrant laborers who left their homeland in Ireland and came to the area between May 1827 and November 1829 to build the canal bypassing the treacherous Enfield Rapids.In particular, the memorial will remember those canal workers and family members that are buried in an unmarked cemetery that is located about 100 yards and across the canal from where the memorial will be … [Read more...] about Fundraising Complete for Irish Canal Workers Memorial in Windsor Locks, Conn.

AOH Hartford collected over four carloads of 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 11. Four carloads of toys were collected in addition to over $500 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

On October 6, 1946, St. Patrick’s Division 2 of Suffolk County, NY was organized by Michael Rice, who hailed originally from County Mayo.  Twenty-four members were initiated at the first meeting.  75-years later, St. Patrick’s Division 2 has become the largest Division in Suffolk County (with approximately 450 members.  Mike Rice’s vision of a Division dedicated to our Catholic Faith, Irish heritage and culture; a Division that aids the hungry and less fortunate, and a Division that lives our motto of Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity every day! The Division held a … [Read more...] about Suffolk County, NY – St. Patrick’s Division 2 Celebrates 75th Anniversary

The St. Brendan the Navigator Parade & Festival, a celebration of Irish Heritage, was sponsored by Division 17, Long Beach, Nassau County, New York on Oct. 2. Nassau County Hibernians gathered for the parade and festival on Oct. 2. Long Beach (NY) Hibernian officers, parade committee members and the Division Color Guard — as well as New York AOH State President John Manning — gathered for a photo before the Parade & Festival. … [Read more...] about Proud of our Heritage

The Nassau County Hibernians sponsored a marvelous 49th Annual Feis & Irish Festival on the South Shore of Long Island, on Sept. 19. The extremely well attended event was organized by Feis Chairman Michael Byrne and a host of Hibernians who served as the Feis Committee. This year’s honoree was John O’Connell, AOH National Editor. National Editor John O’Connell was the Honoree of this year’s Nassau Hibernians’ Feis & Festival. At the Feis Award ceremonies were, from left, MC Donal Mahoney, Chairman Mike Byrne, Honoree John O’Connell, Nassau LAOH President Maureen Caffrey and … [Read more...] about Nassau holds successful Feis

The Pride in the Pit is an annual BBQ contest held on Homecoming weekend at Father Ryan High School in Nashville, Tennessee. This year the event returned on October 1st after a year’s absence. All proceeds for the highly successful event benefited Father Ryan High School mission trips. AOH Nashville Sons of Erin Division members David Kennedy, Brian Philbin and TommyRagsdale participate in the Pride in the Pit BBQ contest … [Read more...] about Pride in the Pit BBQ – AOH Nashville – Sons of Erin Division

Irish Road Bowling returned to Connecticut for the first time in five years as Hartford Division 2 sponsored a tournament on Saturday, July 17. Over 30 teams and 120 participants took part in the 2021 Hartford Irish Road Bowling Tournament at Riverside Park in Hartford. The event raised money for the charities that Hartford AOH supports, particularly in the area of hunger. It was also a great day of camaraderie among AOH Brothers from across the state and others who took part in the event. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin was in attendance to throw out the “first bowl” and addressed … [Read more...] about Irish Road Bowling in Connecticut

Jack McCormick joined by AOH Brothers as he was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. From Left to Right; Jim Kavanaugh, Jack McCormick, Jim Killen, and Bob Farrell On May 22, 2021 on his 89th birthday, Hibernian Brother Jack McCormick was inducted into the New York State Veteran’s Hall of Fame. NYS Senator Phil Boyle (also a Hibernian Brother) bestowed the honor on Brother McCormick for his selfless service to our country, which spanned 40-years. Jack McCormick joined the US Marines during the Korean War and was involved at the Battle of Inchon in September … [Read more...] about St. Patrick’s Division 2 – Suffolk County, NY Brother Jack McCormick is inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame