Please donate to this year’s CHRISTMAS APPEAL. Together we can make a difference.All checks must be made out to “Ancient Order of Hibernians”. Payments should be sent to AOH-FFAI PO BOX 904 JEFFERSON VALLEY, NY 10535. 2020-21 Appeal Pledge FromDownload 2020-21 Freedom for All Ireland ClubDownload 2019-20 Grant Criteria and RecipientsDownload 2020 Freedom For All Ireland Christmas Appeal LetterDownload 2020-21 Freedom For All Ireland Christmas Appeal Closing LetterDownload 2019-20 Freedom For All Ireland Century Club DonorsDownload Your help for freedom for all Ireland is … [Read more...] about The 2020-21 Freedom For All Ireland Christmas Appeal
News
Hibernians Write U.S. Friends of Ireland Caucus Over Renewed Brexit Concerns
The Ancient Order of Hibernians, America's largest Irish American Organization, has written to members of the congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus expressing their concern that Prime Minister Johnson's government will use the post U.S. election transition as a distraction for a hard Brexit. In a letter from Political Action Chair Neil Cosgrove, the Hibernians state: "The Hibernians are very concerned that at this time when our nation demonstrates the strength of our democracy by the peaceful transition to a new administration, that a lack of focus on Brexit may result in … [Read more...] about Hibernians Write U.S. Friends of Ireland Caucus Over Renewed Brexit Concerns
Hibernians Congratulate President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris on their election
Daniel O'Connell, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), has sent the following letter to President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris on their election: "The Ancient Order of Hibernians, America's oldest and largest Irish American Catholic organization, wishes to express our congratulations to you, President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris, on being elected to the two highest offices in our nation. Once again, the promise of America, as embraced and defended by hundreds of thousands of Irish immigrants, has been vindicated by this … [Read more...] about Hibernians Congratulate President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris on their election
The U.S. Can’t Be Played for Puppets
While we hope we can bring a smile during these trying times in the best tradition of Jonathan Swift, the threat that Brexit and the Internal Market Bill pose to the Good Friday Agreement is no laughing matter. It is critical that we send a clear message to our elected officials, especially those newly elected, that the United States should not be played for a puppet in getting a U.K./U.S. trade deal; that we will not enter into new commitments with a Britain that has consistently failed to honor its two-decades-old commitments under the Good Friday Agreement. https://youtu.be/bqVvhF0KODk … [Read more...] about The U.S. Can’t Be Played for Puppets
A Halloween Lesson for Election Day.
In a few days, we will be celebrating the holiday of Halloween. The holiday has specific significance for us as Irish Americans. Like St. Patrick's Day, Halloween is a beloved tradition brought to America by Irish immigrants. It dates back thousands of years to the ancient festival of Samhain, which was the Celtic New Year. As with most ancient peoples, the Celts were keen observers of the sun and the night sky, which was essential for the agriculture they relied on for survival. Most cultures set their Calendar by the extremes of the sun's progression through the heavens; today, … [Read more...] about A Halloween Lesson for Election Day.
Plastic Justice Report
A Report on the use of Plastic and Rubber Bullets in Ireland The Ancient Order of Hibernians was honored to host a virtual release of the “Plastic Justice Report” prepared by Relatives for Justice, Belfast. The report was broadcast on YouTube on Saturday, October 24 at 4 pm Local time in Ireland, 11 am Eastern U.S. https://youtu.be/QahLrUFCbuA Per FFAI Chairman Martin Galvin: “Plastic Justice“ is a special report on how British state forces used plastic bullets to kill 17 innocent Irish people with impunity, will get a transatlantic launch on Saturday, October 24. In Belfast, … [Read more...] about Plastic Justice Report
The Cushwa Center at Notre Dame 2020 Hibernian Lecture “The Idea of Greater Ireland”
https://youtu.be/p-Lm5AQjl_I On Friday, October 9, the 2020 Hibernian Lecture was presented by Colin Barr (University of Aberdeen). Stained glass window depicting Daniel O'Connell, “Liberator of Ireland,” at St. Patrick's Parish Church in Boorowa, New South Wales. With an appointment as the Herbert Allen and Donald R. Keough Visiting Faculty Fellow, Barr is visiting Notre Dame’s Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies this academic year from the University of Aberdeen, where he is senior lecturer in modern Irish history. Barr is author of Ireland’s Empire: The Roman Catholic … [Read more...] about The Cushwa Center at Notre Dame 2020 Hibernian Lecture “The Idea of Greater Ireland”
HIBERNIANS PRESENT FREEDOM GRANTS
AOH/LAOH present Freedom For All Ireland (FFAI) Grants by Zoom. Freedom for all Ireland (FFAI) grants totaling almost $100,000 were handed out last month to seventeen applicants by the American Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH.) Leading figures from each grant recipient, then joined in a zoom webinar conference on September 19th, telling Hibernians from across the United States, about each group's work and how much they count on American financial help. The grant checks were personally delivered in Belfast, Derry, Tyrone and Down by recently … [Read more...] about HIBERNIANS PRESENT FREEDOM GRANTS
Justice for Bloody Sunday Denied Again Says AOH
The Statue of Justice erected at Dublin Castle during British Imperial Rule. The decision not to prosecute Soldiers involved in Bloody Sunday confirms again that British justice in Ireland is to look to the sword and not the scales of fairness.(Image by Alberto Sanchez from Pixabay) Ancient Order of Hibernians National Freedom for All Ireland Chair Martin Galvin has issued the following statement concerning the decision by the Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service not to prosecute 15 British Soldiers accused of participating in the killings of Bloody Sunday in Derry in … [Read more...] about Justice for Bloody Sunday Denied Again Says AOH
AOH Calls on Administration to Support Good Friday Agreement and Irish Protocol
The Ancient Order of Hibernians welcomes news of the trip to Ireland by the United States Special Envoy Mick Mulvaney and his comment to RTE Television that the United States would "protect and defend" the Good Friday Agreement. However, the Hibernians are disappointed that there seems to be a continued reluctance by the administration to make a clear, concise, and unambiguous statement that preserving the Good Friday Agreement by precluding the return of a British border in Ireland is a U.S. priority and necessary precondition to future U.S./U.K. agreements. The Hibernians believe that … [Read more...] about AOH Calls on Administration to Support Good Friday Agreement and Irish Protocol
Commodore Barry Day 2020
Commodore John Barry, 1801 Portrait by Gilbert Stuart Per our National Constitution, September 13th is designated "Commodore Barry Day," a national holiday of the Order. If you are not aware of who Commodore Barry is, you are not alone, for sadly, you are in the company of the majority of Americans. This speaks to the importance of the day and a significance of which extends far beyond the man himself. When one looks at the 1801 portrait of Barry by Gilbert Stuart, one may get a false impression of Barry; the painting shows an old man in declining health (Barry would die two … [Read more...] about Commodore Barry Day 2020
The Big Irish American Campfire
The AOH was proud to be a sponsor of The Big Irish Echo Campfire - A Virtual Forum Across America on Friday August 28th 2020 as Irish America Comes Together to Survive the Pandemic and To Emerge Stronger and Better (while ensuring the bridge to Ireland remains open). Immediate Past-President Judge James McKay III took part in the panel for the session: In This Together: Irish American Societies and Networks Leading the Coronavirus Fightback. Watch more videos from the Campfire at: http://www.irishecho.com/campfire … [Read more...] about The Big Irish American Campfire
AOH Statement on the Passing of Nobel Laureate John Hume
The Late John Hume It is with deep sadness that the Ancient Order of Hibernians learned of the passing of John Hume. The Late Senator Robert Kennedy once said, “Some men see things as they are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not.” In a land where an oppressive status quo had been carved into the marble of Stormont, where it was accepted that one person could have three votes while another had none, where one’s baptism defined one’s opportunities for life, John Hume dared to ask why must the generations of today be chained to the injustices of the … [Read more...] about AOH Statement on the Passing of Nobel Laureate John Hume
The Gavel is Passed
Newly Immediate Past President Judge James McKay III (center left) passes the gavel to newly elect National President Danny O'Connell (center right). They are flanked by newly elected Vice President Sean Pender (left) and Secretary Jere Cole (right) It is customary to say after each AOH convention that "it was a convention like no other", but nothing could be more true about the 100th biannual National Convention held in this COVID year of 2020. For the first time, the Convention was held on-line which saw exceptional participation by the members. It shows that despite being an … [Read more...] about The Gavel is Passed
Statement on the Passing of Congressman John Lewis
The sons of Martin McGuinness meeting with Congressman John Lewis as he endorsed the McGuinness Principles which call for justice and civil rights in the north of Ireland. Shown are Peter Kissel (IAUC), Fiachra McGuinness, Congressman John Lewis, Emmett McGuinness, Marty Glennon (Brehons), AOH National Treasurer Sean Pender It is with deep sadness that we learn of the passing of Congressman John Lewis, a man dedicated to improving the lives of others and who realize that the fight for Civil Rights transcends peoples and borders. The Congressman was an early signer of the McGuinness … [Read more...] about Statement on the Passing of Congressman John Lewis
Deafening Media Silence in Reporting of Wave of Catholic Church Attacks
Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala, Florida After Being Attacked.Image Marion County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page It is with shock and profound sadness that the Ancient Order of Hibernians learned of the senseless attack upon Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala, Florida on Saturday, 11 July as parishioners were preparing for mass. According to police, a man crashed a minivan through the front door of the church and then ignited an incendiary device/accelerant causing a fire that resulted in extensive damage to the building. By the grace of God, all those who were in the … [Read more...] about Deafening Media Silence in Reporting of Wave of Catholic Church Attacks
Amazon’s “Irish Livers Matter” Merchandise; Twice the Defamation At One Low Price
Amazon's Choice "Irish Livers Matter Shirt" Amazon continues to hypocritically talk about embracing respect for all heritages and diversity while peddling prejudice for profit. Currently on Amazon there are 142 Items for sale with the phrase “Irish Livers Matter”. One of the items is even labeled “Amazon’s Choice.” This is in addition to numerous items emblazoned with “Irish Lives Matter”, but certainly “Irish Livers Matter” plumbs new depths of defamation, there is no uninformed or misguided positive spin or nuanced interpretation one can put on “Irish Livers Matter”; it … [Read more...] about Amazon’s “Irish Livers Matter” Merchandise; Twice the Defamation At One Low Price
Hibernians Congratulate Ireland on Election to U.N. Security Council
The Ancient Order of Hibernians wishes to congratulate the Republic of Ireland on its election to the UN Security Council. In a letter to Irish Ambassador Daniel Mulhall, AOH National President James McKay writes: As Ireland's exiled children in America, we take special pride in being able to congratulate the Republic of Ireland in securing a position on the UN Security Council. For a nation that has yet to achieve its 100th birthday, for Ireland to now join the Security Council for the fourth time is truly an extraordinary accomplishment. It is a fitting … [Read more...] about Hibernians Congratulate Ireland on Election to U.N. Security Council
AOH Comments on Malachy McAllister Deportation
On the day Malachy McAllister surrendered for deportation, AOH National Board Members: Treasurer Sean Pender, Immigration Chairman Dan Dennehy, and Freedom For All Ireland Chairman Martin Galvin accompanied him to stand beside and support him on this very bleak day. Here are their video comments made about the deportation of our friend Malachy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkfX-IQkU8U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hanGdCMZBoE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkcv-H9MdZU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AG2YRgIxZo … [Read more...] about AOH Comments on Malachy McAllister Deportation
Statement Of Senate Minority Leader Schumer On The Deportation Of Malachy Mcallister
Malachy McAllister and Leader Schumer “President Trump’s deportation of Malachy McAllister is profoundly unjust and serves no rational public purpose or positive benefit. Mr. McAllister has been a valued member of the Irish American community ever since seeking asylum in the United States following an assassination attempt on him and his family during the Troubles. He is a father and grandfather to U.S. citizen children, a strong supporter of the Irish peace process and a productive businessperson. Mr. McAllister has unfairly faced deportation for years and the looming threat has been … [Read more...] about Statement Of Senate Minority Leader Schumer On The Deportation Of Malachy Mcallister