The Ancient Order of Hibernians

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

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Chief Francis O’Neill, a Real Hero and a Reel Hero

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When someone wants to quickly set an atmosphere of "Irishness," whether it is a major motion picture or a local Irish restaurant, they invariably use the same element: music.  Music is an essential element of Celtic life; the harper, piper, and the fiddler hold a place of honor and esteem.  Wherever the Irish have traveled, they have taken their music with them as one of their prize possessions, and the sound of Irish music can be heard in Dublin, Denver, and Durban.  Irish music is a highly personal art form; it is an aural tradition passed on from generation to generation … [Read more...] about Chief Francis O’Neill, a Real Hero and a Reel Hero

Irish American Heritage Month: The Sheas, Three Generations of Olympians

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Since the ancient past, societies have honored athletes. Athletic competition may have developed out of pragmatic concerns such as training warriors, but it was soon realized that certain individuals were gifted with exceptional talents. In the Ancient Olympic Games winning competitors were awarded Olive Wreaths and honored as human incarnations of Apollo; in modern times they are honored with some of the highest salaries in the world. These honors are given in recognition of how exceptional athletic prowess is in on one individual; what then would be the likelihood of finding world class … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: The Sheas, Three Generations of Olympians

The Childhood Friends Who Earned the Medal of Honor

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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

Irish American Heritage Month: Kathleen McNulty, an Irish American “Hidden Figure”

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Kathleen Rita McNulty was born in the village of Creeslough on February 12, 1921, the third of six children of Anne Nelis and James McNulty.  Her father was Commandant of the Doe Battalion of the Irish Volunteers. On the night of her birth, he was arrested and imprisoned in Derry Gaol for two years for his republican activities. On his release, the family emigrated to the United States and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where James worked as a stonemason and went on to establish a successful construction business, frequently working with Irish American John B Kelly, the father of … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: Kathleen McNulty, an Irish American “Hidden Figure”

Dr. John B. Murphy, Surgical Genius

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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 improvised 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 success. … [Read more...] about Dr. John B. Murphy, Surgical Genius

Irish American Heritage Month: The Parachuting Padre

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As an Army chaplain, Fr. Francis L. Sampson saw combat in two wars and earned the nickname of "the Parachuting Padre." His actions during the D-Day campaign would be adapted as part of two major motion pictures, though in both his actions would be attributed to others. Fr. Sampson was born in Cherokee, Iowa, the descendant of Immigrants from County Cork.  Fr. Sampson graduated from Notre Dame before entering St. Paul's Seminary in Minnesota.  He served briefly as a parish priest.  When the U.S. entered the war, Fr. Sampson sought and was granted permission to join the … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: The Parachuting Padre

Dr. Kathyrn Dwyer Sullivan, from the Depths of the Ocean to the Heights of Space

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Dr. Kathyrn Dwyer Sullivan preparing for a Space Walk When we think of explorers, it is common to think of phrases such as "plumbing new depths" or "scaling new heights," but how many individuals can both expressions be used to literally and accurately describe their achievements?  Such an individual is Irish American  Dr. Kathyrn Dwyer Sullivan. Kathyrn Sullivan was born in Paterson, New Jersey, to Donald Paul Sullivan and his wife Barbara (née Kelly).  Sullivan's grandfather had immigrated from Lauragh on the Beara Peninsula in County Kerry.  She chose her middle … [Read more...] about Dr. Kathyrn Dwyer Sullivan, from the Depths of the Ocean to the Heights of Space

We Need Irish America Behind Us

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Senator Frances Black, Chairperson of Ireland's Future. Senator Frances Black, the chairperson of Ireland’s Future, described as a driving force for a border vote under the Good Friday Agreement(GFA), told Irish Americans 'we need you behind us' to get and win referendums for a United Ireland. She was joined by fellow Board Members Professor Colin Harvey and Andree Murphy in the live webinar program, IRELAND’S FUTURE-IRISH AMERICA’S ROLE, hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH). The event, a follow-up to recent major conferences in Dublin and Belfast, was timed to coincide with the … [Read more...] about We Need Irish America Behind Us

AOH Welcomes President’s Northern Ireland Envoy Appointment  

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Per the announcement today that President Biden has appointed former Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III as the U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, National President Daniel J. O'Connell has issued the following statement on behalf of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the largest Irish American organization in the United States. The statement reads: "The Ancient Order of Hibernians, the largest Irish American organization in the United States, welcomes the appointment of Joseph P. Kennedy III to the role of U.S. special envoy to Northern Ireland. In selecting a former U.S. Congressman who … [Read more...] about AOH Welcomes President’s Northern Ireland Envoy Appointment  

AOH Freedom For All Ireland Christmas Appeal (2022-23)

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A chairde, Last April, Hibernians across the country joined a special live webinar broadcast from the Houben Centre, Holy Cross Church, in Belfast, where two weeks earlier an event with the Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney had to be cancelled because of loyalist bomb threats. This year’s 15 grant recipients spoke about their work for freedom for all Ireland, and how much they count on Christmas Appeal donations. The Hibernian Grants Presentation is posted and can be viewed on AOH YouTube. https://youtu.be/MIAIyCuwO5w?t=5 Grants were awarded to justice campaigners like Relatives … [Read more...] about AOH Freedom For All Ireland Christmas Appeal (2022-23)

AOH Gaelic Mass Watched Nationally

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The Westchester County Legislature proclaimed “Gaelic Mass Day,” as viewers from as far away as Texas, California and Ireland itself, joined Hibernians wearing sashes and medallions, Irish community groups, Irish speakers and parishioners, for a Mass said in Irish by Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald at St. Barnabas on Saturday September 17th. Bronx County Ancient Order of Hibernians’ 4th annual Gaelic Mass, again made a national Hibernian event by President Danny O’Connell, was carried live on the parish Facebook and AOH YouTube. This year the Irish Language Mass included special prayers for victims’ … [Read more...] about AOH Gaelic Mass Watched Nationally

Take Britain to European Court on Amnesty Call

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Members of a key Irish parliamentary Committee have urged the Irish government to charge Britain in the European Court of Human Rights, if Britain enacts its Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill shutting down hopes of legacy justice. Fergus O’Dowd TD, on behalf the Irish Committee for the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA),has made the formal request to the Irish Attorney General, while fellow committee member, Rose Conway-Walsh TD, raised the issue with Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin during the recent British-Irish Association conference. These … [Read more...] about Take Britain to European Court on Amnesty Call

Hibernians Question S.4450, the “ Special Relationship Act.”

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National President Daniel O’Connell has written to Senators Portman (Ohio) and Coons (Delaware) to express the Hibernians concerns over their sponsorship of  S.4450, the “ Special Relationship Act.” The legislation seeks to grant new presidential authority to enact a trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom for a period of five years (a period which should be noted spans the 2024 elections).  The Hibernians are concerned that the agreement sets a very low bar for compliance with the Good Friday Agreement despite previous resolutions from Congress stating that any move … [Read more...] about Hibernians Question S.4450, the “ Special Relationship Act.”

The AOH Helps Americans to Retire in Ireland

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The AOH is working with the government on behalf of Irish America to implement a new scheme to allow Americans to retire in Ireland. Tánaiste of Ireland Leo Varadkar Addressed the members of the AOH and LAOH at their joint AOH/LAOH National Convention to tell Ancient Order of Hibernians measures would help make case for US immigration reform to benefit Irish people Read More in the Irish Times https://youtu.be/DIkXBaMhcsI https://youtu.be/sPJSCHqzg0M … [Read more...] about The AOH Helps Americans to Retire in Ireland

Hibernians – RFJ Lobby Against Amnesty Law

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Leading Hibernians, joined by Mark Thompson of Relatives for Justice, secured crucial Senate, House, and Irish Oireachtas support against the planned British Amnesty bill last week in Washington. The emergency lobby took place as Britain moves to rush through an amnesty bill despite overwhelming opposition across Ireland. A key public statement by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, a new House Foreign Affairs Committee initiative, and backing for an Irish government case against Britain in the European Court of Human Rights, wereamong results which made the week one of the most … [Read more...] about Hibernians – RFJ Lobby Against Amnesty Law

Bloomsday – A Celebration of James Joyce’s Work

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June 16th is Bloomsday, named after the one of the main characters in James Joyce’s Ulysses. Bloomsday is the day where people get together around the world to celebrate the book by reading sections or marathon readings of the entire book. 2022 is the 100-year anniversary of the book’s publishing which makes this year special. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Ireland’s global diplomatic network will mark the centenary of with extensive programs of events worldwide. James Joyce’s Ulysses is considered to be a masterpiece and one of the hardest works in literature to read. Published in … [Read more...] about Bloomsday – A Celebration of James Joyce’s Work

AOH President in Belfast for Legacy Pledge

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Danny O'Connell, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, traveled to Belfast to meet the Springhill Massacre families, at the site where a priest, Fr. Noel Fitzpatrick, Patrick Butler, three teenagers, Margaret Gargan, John Dougal and David McCafferty were murdered by British Army snipers on July 9th 1972. He told victims’ relatives he was there to stand with the Springhill Massacre families and give a pledge to them and all victims’ relatives who have been fighting for legacy truth that he, and the powerful Irish American AOH organization which he heads would continue to stand … [Read more...] about AOH President in Belfast for Legacy Pledge

Amnesty ‘Kick in the Teeth’ for Victims

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Belfast woman who has been campaigning nearly 50 years for legacy truth, described the Queen’s Speech amnesty announcement as a “kick in the teeth” for thousands of victims seeking justice. Patricia Burns, whose father was shot dead by British troopers in July 1972, spoke 4 days after the Queen’s Speech announcement, that Britain will push ahead with a Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) amnesty bill despite overwhelming opposition from Irish victims, the Irish government, Irish political parties and American Congress. She was joined by Congressman Jamaal Bowman, victims’ … [Read more...] about Amnesty ‘Kick in the Teeth’ for Victims

Key Hibernian Fact-Finding Mission Ends

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As the British move ahead with amnesty plans in their Queen’s speech and Westminster legislation, a Hibernian fact-finding delegation heard appeals for American help from legacy victims across the six counties. “Without the AOH and Irish America, Boris Johnson would have already shut everything down and made sure there would be no justice!” said one legacy victims’ campaigner, Martin Mallon in Tyrone. The delegation, which included senior national officers from both the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH),spent 10 days meeting relatives on the … [Read more...] about Key Hibernian Fact-Finding Mission Ends