Around the Divisions

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

Hartford Division 2 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians presented a gift to the Irish-American Home Society (IAHS) Capital Campaign on Friday, June 11. The IAHS, located in Glastonbury, Conn., is the home for our Division’s monthly meetings and its members are supportive of our efforts, especially our food drives. The IAHS building is in dire need of critical repairs to its major infrastructure, including its heating and cooling system, upstairs kitchen and bar, and downstairs kitchen and bar. Accessibility must be brought to current standards to ensure all members can enjoy the home for … [Read more...] about Hartford Division 2 – Irish-American Home Society (IAHS) Capital Campaign Donation

St. Patrick’s Division 2 of Suffolk County, NY installation of officers took place on Sunday, April 18 th at their Hibernian Hall in Babylon, NY. The installation was initially set for this past January but due to COVID-19 precautions the installation was postponed to a safer date. The installation was attended by St. Patrick’s Division 2 President, Jim Killen and Vice President, Dennis Harty (who is the Junior Boys coordinator). Also in attendance was Suffolk County, NY President, Chris Thompson; Suffolk County. NY immediate past President, Jerry Belmont; Suffolk County, NY Recording … [Read more...] about St. Patrick’s Division 2 of Babylon, NY Installs Jr. Boys Officers

A Charter member since 2000, Michael Edmiston, was honored by the Michael Collins Division 1 of Cumberland County, PA for his many years of service to the AOH as he plans to move to another part of Pennsylvania. The Division honored Michael at their regular April meeting. Michael has been instrumental in coordinating our semi-annual Gettysburg trips to keep Irish Brigade monuments in pristine shape. Additionally, Michael has been our historian for the past 10+ years, always providing valuable insight at every meeting regarding past events in Irish - American history. Michael was honored … [Read more...] about Michael Edmiston honored in PA for his many years of dedicated service

The 31st annual Downtown Melbourne Florida St. Patrick’s Day Parade resumed after being cancelled in 2020. Under the direction of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Division, Brevard County President and parade chairman Todd McDonald. For the first time in many years the parade started promptly at 11 am. Joining us this year were National AOH Organizer and New York State Director Timothy McSweeney, National Director for Florida and State President Ray Lynch and AOH members of Indian River and Orange County Divisions. Ladies AOH members from Brevard and Indian River County also … [Read more...] about Live On—–Parade On in Melbourne, FL

The Brothers of Hartford Division 2 organized and took part in a Memorial Event for the Irish laborers who helped build the Windsor Locks Canal on Sunday, March 21. The event was co-sponsored by the town of Windsor Locks, Conn. and over 200 people attended on a glorious spring day. The Hartford Brothers were honored with the presence of United States Congressman John Larson of Connecticut’s First District and AOH National Director Richard Thompson. The event honored the 400 immigrant laborers who left their homeland in Ireland and came to the area between May 1827 and November 1829 to … [Read more...] about Hartford AOH Division 2 Holds Memorial Ceremony For Irish Canal Workers

Minnesota Archbishop John Ireland Division 4 Ramsey County celebrated St Patrick's Day with our annual Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Our division was honored to have the Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, the Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda as the Celebrant. Pictured in the photo is the Archbishop with our scholarship winners who are of Irish descent from area Catholic High Schools. This year's scholarship winners are Jake Donahue from Cretin Derham, Aidan Walsh and Sheila Ryan from St Agnes and Sam Lehner from Hill-Murray(not pictured). Our division is proud that we were again … [Read more...] about Division 4 Celebrates St Patrick’s Day with Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Paul

As in past Christmas seasons, Father Murphy of Boolavogue, Division 9 of Suffolk County, NY helped to bring joy to local families. Brother Pete Patterson organized the collection of over $2,500 in toys and gift cards. These donations were distributed through a program at Hunter Business School that provides Christmas time assistance to families of students in need. Billy MacDowall of Hunter said the Division had, once again, provided the largest single donation received. Pictured are Pete Patterson (left) and Billy MacDowall with some of the donations. … [Read more...] about Division 9, Suffolk County NY Toy Drive

The Division held a Toy/Gift Card Drive on December 10 to benefit “The Helping Hands” project at Saint Augustine Church in Hartford. Two carloads of toys were collected plus over $650 in gift cards. The Division has been holding monthly meetings that were both in-person practicing social distancing and in a virtual format. Starting in December, the meetings are virtual-only as the COVID-19 virus spread more rapid in Connecticut. We were fortunate to have Father James Sullivan, the rector of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, as our December speaker. He gave a … [Read more...] about Hartford AOH Division 2 stays busy during the Christmas season

Hartford AOH Division 2 continues to be active in the autumn months as the holiday season approaches. The Division continues to have monthly food drives to benefit the Food Pantry at Saint Augustine Church in Hartford. The October drive included a call for an extra bag of Halloween treats with usual donations and the November drive was for Thanksgiving side dishes. The Division will work with Saint Augustine to help others for the Christmas holiday. The Division has been held monthly meetings that were both in-person practicing social distancing … [Read more...] about The Holiday Season Approaches

Brothers Michael Enright, Tom Breen, Dennis Brown, Jim Mulcahy, Kevin Morton and John Gallivan at AOH Division 2’s September Food/School Supply Drive. Hartford AOH Division 2 had a busy end of summer and beginning of fall. The Division continues to have monthly food drives to benefit the Food Pantry at Saint Augustine Church in Hartford and also collected school supplies in August and September. The Division plans to work with Saint Augustine to help others for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The Division has held monthly meetings – both in-person practicing social distancing … [Read more...] about Hartford Division #2 Hold Monthly Food Drives

from Bill Sullivan AOH National Director ... A celebration to honor the Rt. Rev. John Delaney V.F, on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood in late May had been in the planning stages for months by his friends, the parishioners of Sacred Hearts Parish in Bradford, MA and the parishioners of Saint Patrick Parish in Groveland, MA. Father Delaney also serves as Chaplain to Division 8 AOH and LAOH in Lawrence, Massachusetts, as well as, to a host of other organizations in the Merrimack Valley area of Massachusetts. However, his year with the Covid 19 … [Read more...] about Honoring a Hibernian Chaplain with a Drive-By Car Parade!

from National Director John Wilson … June 14, 2020 was the feast of Corpus Christi; members of Dubuque AOH Div. 1 were called upon to carry the canopy under where Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament was carried. It was a joyous day for the members and their families to be able to celebrate Corpus Christi in Dyersville. This was another great opportunity for the AOH to be visible in the community and stay true to their history and roots. The procession was held after the 10:30 am Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis in Dyersville and conclude with Benediction at the Basilica The Mass and … [Read more...] about Corpus Christi in Iowa

from Div. President Mike Enright ... The membership of Hartford Division #2 held its second Food Drive during this time of pandemic on Sunday, June 14 with the collection taking place at Christ the King Parish in Wethersfield to benefit the food pantry at St. Augustine Parish in Hartford. The drive was a success with over 50 bags and boxes of food delivered to St. Augustine's. Members of the Irish-American Home Society in Glastonbury, Conn., helped a great deal in the success of the event. The Division has been meeting virtually and has added guest speakers to its meetings as John … [Read more...] about Hartford Division #2 Holds Food Drive

from National Director Ed Halligan ... Because of Covid19, local commissioners decided to not distribute American Flags to mark Veterans graves for Memorial Day. The VFW Post 1074 in Conshohocken, PA put out a plea to the public asking for donations to purchase American Flags. The response was tremendous and over 4,000 flags were purchased. AOH members Past President Mark Ryan, Tom Boyle, Ed Mongan, Hugh Quinn, Bill Scanlan, Jack Rodenbaugh and Pete Hand from Notre Dame Division #1 Montgomery County, PA assisted the VFW members with placing the Flags on 3,000 Veterans graves and preparing … [Read more...] about Notre Dame Division # 1 Members Place Flags on Veteran Graves

from National Director John Wilson ... Members of the Father Donnelly Division in Kansas were able to support the work of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. Some of the members of the Division presented the check to Lauren Solidum, President and CEO of the NE Kansas Catholic Charities. The ministry of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas dispenses love and hope to our neighbors in need throughout our 21 county service area. They are located at 9720 W 87th Street in Overland Park, Kansas. They offer a wide range of specialized programs … [Read more...] about Good Work from Kansas