The Ancient Order of Hibernians

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

Around the Divisions

Irish Road Bowling Organized by AOH

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From Liam McNabb, National Director ... Irish culture is alive and well in the “North Country” of New York State as the Monsignor James Ruddy AOH Division in Jefferson County promotes Irish Road Bowling. Irish Road Bowling originated in Ireland and is now a regular Hibernian activity that has attracted young and old Watertown area residents to participate and learn more about Irish culture and the AOH. Sean Hennessy, Division President, reports this activity has grown to include business sponsors and has raised funds for local charities. … [Read more...] about Irish Road Bowling Organized by AOH

Tomas Cardinal O’Fiaich Division 14, Watertown, MA

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From Bill Sullivan, National Director And the Tradition Continues…! For over five decades members of the Tomas Cardinal O’Fiaich Division 14 AOH in Watertown, Massachusetts have been marching in Watertown’s Annual Memorial Day Parade to honor those who have gone before them. Over the years Division 14 members have been joined in the line of march by their brother and sister Hibernians from across Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Division 1 of Holyoke, which is in the western part of Massachusetts, every year enters a float in this parade and the New Hampshire Pipe and Drums, some … [Read more...] about Tomas Cardinal O’Fiaich Division 14, Watertown, MA

Easter Monday at Div #1 Commodore John Barry Division

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from Ed Halligan, National Director ... The Commodore John Barry Division #1 in Gloucester County, New Jersey for the last 29 years have commemorated the Easter Monday Rising of 2016 when Irishmen and Irish women took to the streets of Dublin to take control of their beloved homeland from the British. The day starts at the AOH Hall with a welcome, invocation, the raising of the Irish Flag, anthems, reading of the proclamation, Mass and a luncheon. Afterwards the women of the community don their homemade Easter bonnets and parade to the bars and clubs in National Park, NJ. It is a community … [Read more...] about Easter Monday at Div #1 Commodore John Barry Division

Southwest Report:

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from Mike Joyce, Southwest Liaison ... Divisions are active in the Southwest as the "Green Season" provided for some opportunities to showcase the AOH. In Austin, TX the Monsignor Richard McCabe Division held it's 4th annual Stew Cookoff at B.D. Riley's Pub. Over $900 was raised with funds benefiting the St. Gabriel Project. Texas has seen phenomenal growth as a colony has formed in Dallas, TX and expects to charter a new division in August of this year. Speaking of new divisions, congratulations are in order to the men of Phoenix, AZ on the new division founded there on April 23rd, 2019. A … [Read more...] about Southwest Report:

Omaha’s Father Flanagan Division Responds To Floods Ravaging Nebraska

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From National Director John Wilson ... With the recent flood ravaging Nebraska, many charitable organizations have seen a drop in donations as emergency needs caused by the flood have had to take precedence. In this time of need, the (AOH) Father Flanagan Division of Omaha have recently stepped up to donate more than $5,000 of food to Omaha’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, which had run out of numerous items including soups, vegetables and canned goods according to John Farnan of the Flanagan Division. The donation by the AOH included: • A 6-foot-high pallet of canned … [Read more...] about Omaha’s Father Flanagan Division Responds To Floods Ravaging Nebraska

Division 8 Lawrence, Massachusetts Kick’s off Membership Drive

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After several months of thoughtful and careful planning, Division 8 in Lawrence, MA recently kicked off a recruitment drive for new members focusing on a three prong approach. First, the Organizing Team focused their strategies on one parish in the Greater Lawrence area, Our Lady of Good Counsel. The Rev. Christopher Casey, Pastor of the parish, several weeks prior to the membership drive, inserted a notice in the parish bulletin informing his parishioners that members of the AOH would be at the parish soliciting new members on a particular weekend. The parishioners of the parish reacted … [Read more...] about Division 8 Lawrence, Massachusetts Kick’s off Membership Drive

AOH Westchester Division 18 Peekskill Awards its Veterans

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Division 18 Peekskill had a festive gathering today where it awarded Hibernian Veterans pins And a certificate to its members. These veterans participated in World War II Korea Vietnam & the Gulf Wars. You’re so welcome and I newest member Tim Murphy who received the Silverstar for valor in Vietnam. President Clive Cronin was assisted by Division 18 officers Aidan O’Kelly-Lynch state director Brian Kelly state officer and Dan DENNEHY national director. … [Read more...] about AOH Westchester Division 18 Peekskill Awards its Veterans

WWII vet awarded AOH pin

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On Saturday, January 20, at the AOH Allegheny County (PA) Board meeting, brother Nick Murphy of Division 17 Monroeville, a WWII veteran, received his AOH Hibernian Veterans commemorative pin. Brothers from across the county were present for the annual swearing in of Division Officers and for the presentation of the pin to Nick.     … [Read more...] about WWII vet awarded AOH pin

New AOH Division, Named After 9/11 Hero, Forms in Breezy Point

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On February 22, 2018, New York State’s newest AOH division, The Lieutenant Kevin C. Dowdell, AOH Division 4, Breezy Point held its formation meeting at the Catholic Club in Breezy Point, Queens. The division’s namesake is Lieutenant Kevin C. Dowdell, of FDNY Rescue 4, a hero who lost his life in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Lieutenant Dowdell’s two sons, Patrick and James are charter members of the division and were elected Vice President and Financial Secretary. The brothers (pictured below) were introduced by Tim McSweeney, National Organizer and were invited to … [Read more...] about New AOH Division, Named After 9/11 Hero, Forms in Breezy Point

Albany AOH helps the needy

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Members of Albany AOH Div. 5 served meals to needy families at the Albany Rescue Mission. Led by Div. 5 President Tim Carey (fourth from left), AOH members volunteer monthly to work in the kitchen and dining room. Twenty Hibernians, including Kevin McNabb (pictured above, 10-years-old), worked at the shelter during Christmas week to help others in the name of Hibernian Hunger. … [Read more...] about Albany AOH helps the needy

Kansas Hibernians Award Hibernian Cup

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The Fr. Donnelly Division, Johnson County No. 1, participated in the second annual Hibernian Bowl between two Johnson County Catholic high schools on October 6th. St. Thomas Aquinas High and St. James Academy battled for bragging rights and the beautiful Hibernian Cup at St. Thomas Aquinas’ home field in the Kansas suburbs of Kansas City. Friday Night Lights began with the Fr. Donnelly honor guard bringing the colors to the center of the field for the national anthem and the benediction. After a heated battle through the first half, the St. James Thunder yielded to the St. Thomas Aquinas … [Read more...] about Kansas Hibernians Award Hibernian Cup

Division 3 Pearl River, NY Keep the Season and Tradition Alive with Wren Night Festivities

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Members of AOH Division 3 in Pearl River, NY get the continued the joy of Christmas and Irish Tradition alive with their annual Wren Night celebration. The Fest of St. Stephen on December 26th was traditionally a day of festivities where young boys would collect money to bury a Wren. The wren had a chequered history in Irish folklore as a devious bird. According to legend in a competition to determine who was the king of the birds by who could fly the highest, it hid on the back of an eagle; when the eagle tired it jumped off to continue higher and earn the crown. In other legends, it betrayed … [Read more...] about Division 3 Pearl River, NY Keep the Season and Tradition Alive with Wren Night Festivities

Champion Baltimore City Bohemians GAA Teams Honored

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The Maryland AOH with IRWM hosted an event to honor the Baltimore City Bohemians Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Teams  on July 30. Bob Waldron, member of AOH 5, as well as Dan and Tommy Layden, Jay Linahan and Michael Mellett and many other Maryland Hibernians from the region brought generations of family members. Other AOH representatives attending were Virginia Pat Cady Division’s, Brendan Cooney and James Coleman of St. Brendan Division 3 –Towson. Many Irish born GAA players attended with families and children for the first time and began new friendships with our Hibernian … [Read more...] about Champion Baltimore City Bohemians GAA Teams Honored

Former WBF World Champion Henry Coyle Visits Div 32

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To the August 3 monthly meeting of Division 32 member Jack Morrissey, left, brought Irish boxer Henry Coyle as his guest. Henry is known as the "Western Warrior from the Land of the Salty Breeze" and is former Irish Senior Champion, a World Military Champion in 2005 and, as a professional, is a former WBF World Champion sporting a 21-2 record. … [Read more...] about Former WBF World Champion Henry Coyle Visits Div 32