Dr. J.B. Murphy Dr. John B. Murphy, known throughout his life as "J.B.," was a renowned American surgeon and medical pioneer who made significant contributions to the field of medicine during his lifetime. He was born in a log cabin in Appleton, Wisconsin, on December 21, 1857. Murphy was the son of impoverished Irish immigrants Michael Murphy and Ann (née Grimes) Murphy, who had emigrated from Ireland during the Great Hunger. Murphy grew up in a large family with six siblings. His parents strongly emphasized education and encouraged their children to pursue academic and professional … [Read more...] about Dr. J.B. Murphy: The Irish American Surgeon Who Revolutionized Medicine
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Ash Wednesday Reflection
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Whether we attend mass or a scripture service, our foreheads will be marked with ashes as a sign of repentance. Some might question us when they see the cross on our foreheads, “Did you remember to wash up this morning when you got up.” Ash Wednesday is a day to remember that we are God’s creation, made from the dust of the Earth. This season of Lent might I challenge each one of us, to see the beauty and awesomeness of God’s creation. This Ash Wednesday also reminds us that it is good to remember that we are God’s … [Read more...] about Ash Wednesday Reflection
Patrolman, Poet, and Hero; the Remarkable Life of Phillip Fitzpatrick
Philip Fitzpatrick was born in Aughavas, Co. Leitrim in 1892. Like so many of his generation, he emigrated to the United States and settled in New York City. He joined the NYPD in 1926 and was assigned to Mounted Squad 1 in Manhattan. He would serve with distinction for over 21 years as one of ‘New York’s Finest’ and would prove more than worthy of the title. However, in addition to protecting the streets of New York, Patrolman Fitzpatrick had another talent that few realized until many years after his death; he was a talented poet. Fitzpatrick came from a family having a … [Read more...] about Patrolman, Poet, and Hero; the Remarkable Life of Phillip Fitzpatrick
Beyond ‘Hamilton’: The True Story of Hercules Mulligan, American Patriot
Hercules Mulligan, an Irish immigrant, became an unsung hero of the American Revolution. Though the musical ‘Hamilton’, whose chief goal is to entertain, has introduced his name to a broader audience, Mulligan’s real contributions as a spy and hero of American independence are far more compelling than the play suggests. Mulligan was born in Coleraine, Co Derry, in 1740 and emigrated with his family to North America at the age of 6, settling in New York City. He attended King’s College (now Columbia University). Mulligan opened an upscale tailor … [Read more...] about Beyond ‘Hamilton’: The True Story of Hercules Mulligan, American Patriot
Marie Connolly Owens: America’s Forgotten First Female Cop Who Fought for Justice Beyond the Badge
As the first female police officer in the United States, Marie Connolly Owens should be remembered and celebrated as a pioneer. Yet, her legacy has been largely forgotten—her achievements erased from history until modern researchers unearthed her remarkable story. She worked tirelessly to enforce child labor laws, tracked down absent fathers who abandoned their families, and often reached into her own meager pockets to help struggling mothers and children. Despite all of this, when she passed away in 1927, her obituary made no mention of her groundbreaking career, a stark reminder of how even … [Read more...] about Marie Connolly Owens: America’s Forgotten First Female Cop Who Fought for Justice Beyond the Badge
Swinging for the Fences: Ancient Order of Hibernians Teams Up with Irish American Baseball Society and Spotlights Irish Citizenship at Ireland House NY
Play Ball! Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) & Irish American Baseball Society (IABS) team up & Hibernians webinar on Irish Citizenship at the Irish Consulate New York Every year the Opening Day for Pitchers and Catchers heralds the new season of Baseball, America's Pastime. It is fitting that two venerable Irish American institutions, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the American Irish Baseball Society, have chosen this moment of optimism, sportsmanship, and love of the game to announce an exciting partnership between their two organizations. AOH National President Sean … [Read more...] about Swinging for the Fences: Ancient Order of Hibernians Teams Up with Irish American Baseball Society and Spotlights Irish Citizenship at Ireland House NY
National AOH March for Life Activities 2025
The AOH National Board, led by Worthy President Sean Pender and Washington, DC State President Don Connolly, led the Hibernians in the following activities on Thursday, January 23rd, and Friday, January 24th. On Thursday evening at 6:00 PM, the National Hibernian delegation including President Sean Pender, Vice President Liam McNabb, Secretary Ray Lynch, and Treasurer Dan Diviney traveled to St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth, and Families in Hyattsville, MD, just outside of Washington DC. The delegation met with Sister Nancy Downing, CEO of St. Ann’s Center, and Sue Flaherty, Vice … [Read more...] about National AOH March for Life Activities 2025
Sean Brown and the Fight for Legacy Justice
The widow of murdered GAA official Sean Brown, Bridie Brown holds a picture of her late husband with their daughters and son, from left, Clare Loughran, Siobhan Brown and Sean Brown, outside the Royal Courts of Justicein Belfast. Sean Brown The heartbreaking battle for justice by Sean Brown’s widow and children is a telling example of why Hibernians must continue to make legacy justice a priority. Sean Brown was not involved in politics. He was devoted to the Bellaghy Wolfe Tone’s Gaelic Athletic Association Club. That was enough to make him a target for a Loyalist murder squad on May … [Read more...] about Sean Brown and the Fight for Legacy Justice
Irish America Needed Now For Unity Poll
AOH National President Sean Pender and other National Board members in attendance An overflow crowd at the Bronx County Ancient Order of Hibernian Dinner, stood and cheered as speaker Andree Murphy recalled Irish America’s historic role in 1916, the Black and Tan War, and Good Friday Agreement, then pointed to a banner calling for the end of British rule in Ireland and exclaimed “I am here to tell you that day has come!”. She said Irish American support for Ireland’s Future, the non-party political organization campaigning for a vote on Irish reunification under the Good Friday Agreement, … [Read more...] about Irish America Needed Now For Unity Poll
HIBERNIANS BACK FINUCANE FAMILYDEMAND
BRITISH ENQUIRY MUST BE CREDIBLE AND CAPABLE https://www.youtube.com/live/YyO5Cl4y_XQ?si=e02kLafTk-SrjcCO National President Sean Pender has issued the following statement on behalf of the Ancient Order of Hibernians: finucane hearing -press releaseDownload Widow, children of Patrick Finucane share expectations for long-overdue public inquiry into British collusion in brutal murder of Northern Ireland human rights lawyer WASHINGTON—At a congressional hearing (click to watch) chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today, the widow and three adult children … [Read more...] about HIBERNIANS BACK FINUCANE FAMILYDEMAND
2025 AOH History Tour of Ireland
The Ancient Order of Hibernians will be hosting a 2025 AOH History Tour of Ireland led by AOH National Historian Dan Taylor. With space limited to one bus and 40 travelers President Sean Pender wanted to extend this offer to the general membership. If interested, please complete and return the application, contact President Pender with any questions. Spaces will be held only with paid deposit. Open to AOH members and their guests. This will no doubt be a very memorable trip. We will be recording presentations by our AOH historian at each historical site. Those recordings will be shared on our … [Read more...] about 2025 AOH History Tour of Ireland
2024 FFAI Christmas Appeal
A chairde, After 14 years of Tory misrule, Keir Starmer now heads the British government. Sadly, Labour ha already shown it makes little difference which English party administers the six counties. The Good Friday Agreement says that it is for the people of Ireland alone to exercise their right of national self- determination “without external impediment. British officials say a vote on Irish reunification “is not even on the horizon.” When it comes to giving justice to the Irish, a British horizon means generations away. Unionist leaders will not discuss a united Ireland, so long as … [Read more...] about 2024 FFAI Christmas Appeal
Camino de Santiago for Seminarians
Father John Keehner, AOH National Chaplain 2020-24, is walking the Camino right now to support our Seminarians in Ireland and the United States. His Pilgrimage includes difficult paths and even a waterfall to climb. Father Keehner will continue to beautiful Pamplano Cathedral en route to a lean-to for a nights rest. You can join Father's Pilgrimage by supporting seminarians with your tax deductible donation today. 100% of your donation will support seminarians. … [Read more...] about Camino de Santiago for Seminarians
Empty Promises and More Perfidy: UK Fails to Prosecute Bloody Sunday Perjury
The recent decision by the Northern Ireland Prosecution Service not to prosecute fifteen former British soldiers and one civilian for perjury concerning their testimony during the Bloody Sunday Inquiry is yet another attack on the universally accepted standards of justice and a continuing denial of the fundamental human rights of the victims and their families. The lies told by these men were not harmless fibs; they slandered the names of innocent victims and their families, they covered up killings which former British Prime Minister David Cameron admitted forty years later were … [Read more...] about Empty Promises and More Perfidy: UK Fails to Prosecute Bloody Sunday Perjury
Forgotten Patriot: The Courageous Story and Legacy of Commodore John Barry
Did you know that the first flag officer and founder of the United States Navy was an Irishman? His name was John Barry and Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, said in his eulogy at Barry's graveside, "He was born in Ireland, but America was the object of his devotion and the theater of his usefulness." Barry was born in Co. Wexford, Ireland in 1745 and grew up with a great love for the sea. As a young man, he emigrated to the Crown colonies in America and by 1760, he was employed in a shipbuilding firm in Philadelphia. In 1766, at the age of … [Read more...] about Forgotten Patriot: The Courageous Story and Legacy of Commodore John Barry
Andrew Higgins: The Man Who Built the Boats That Won World War II
“The Jaws of Death.” A photo by CPHOM Robert F. Sargent, USCG. A Coast Guard-manned LCVP from the USS Samuel Chase disembarks troops of Company E, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division on the morning of June 6, 1944, at Omaha Beach It is an iconic image of WW II, a photo taken on June 6, 1944 showing American soldiers exiting a landing craft coming ashore at Omaha beach. A few months later on October 20th, another photo captured the moment General Douglas MacArthur “returned” to the Philippines, wading ashore from a landing craft. Neither of these historic moments would have been possible … [Read more...] about Andrew Higgins: The Man Who Built the Boats That Won World War II
Space, Service, and Heritage: Michael Collins
Then Colonel Michael Collins Major General Michael Collins, who as a Colonel was the Command Pilot of Apollo 11, the mission that put a man on the moon, is sadly often overlooked, but it should not be forgotten that the successful return of his crewmates Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin was dependent entirely on his piloting skill in flying the command module and performing a successful docking with the Lunar module. Michael Collins was a second-generation Irish American born into a military family. Collin's father was a career soldier, attaining the rank of Major General, earning two … [Read more...] about Space, Service, and Heritage: Michael Collins
From Priest to Martyr, From Klan Robes to Justice’s Robes
The 1920s were one of the darkest and least discussed chapters in American history. During this period, the Ku Klux Klan experienced a resurgence, propelled by various factors, including D. W. Griffith's controversial portrayal of the Klan in "Birth of a Nation" (originally titled "The Klansman"), a complex mix of patriotism and isolationism following World War I, and the adoption of modern marketing techniques. As a result, the Klan transcended its Southern roots, evolving into a nationwide movement with a staggering membership of six million. To sustain this growth, the Klan expanded its … [Read more...] about From Priest to Martyr, From Klan Robes to Justice’s Robes
The Childhood Friends Who Earned the Medal of Honor
In the historically Irish neighborhood of Woodside, Queens, stands a monument to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in the Vietnam War. On the monument are inscribed the names of 27 young men from the local Zip Code of 11377, more than any other postal code in the nation to die in that conflict. However, the Irish community of Woodside has another unique distinction touching on the Vietnam War, the story of two childhood friends from that community who would both enlist in the Marines and earn our nation’s highest award for valor, with sadly … [Read more...] about The Childhood Friends Who Earned the Medal of Honor
Annie Moore: The Brave Irish Girl Who Took the First Step Though the Golden Door
The statue of Annie Moore and her brothers at Cobh, Ireland During its period of operation from 1892 till 1954, over 12 million immigrants entered through the immigration station at Ellis Island, a name that was to become synonymous with the “Golden Door” and the “American Dream”. It is estimated that today over forty percent of the United States population can trace their ancestry to an immigrant that entered Ellis Island. On New Year’s Day Morning 1892 on the deck of the steamship Nevada stood three adolescents, Annie Moore and her brothers Phillip and Anthony. They were perhaps … [Read more...] about Annie Moore: The Brave Irish Girl Who Took the First Step Though the Golden Door