The Ancient Order of Hibernians

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

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Political Education Committee

AOH Condemn Derry Bombings, Call for US Commitment to Northern Ireland

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The Ancient Order of Hibernians condemns the recent bomb attack in Derry which occurred this past Saturday, 1/19/19.  There can be no rationalization, no palliation, of such a reckless and indiscriminate attack.  The Hibernians are grateful to a merciful providence that reports indicate no one was injured in this wanton act of violence. The Hibernians are concerned over the continued political vacuum in Northern Ireland, a vacuum in which acts such as Saturday’s violence find sustenance and flourish.  This weekend’s attack is a wake-up call to all those who believe that the issues of Northern … [Read more...] about AOH Condemn Derry Bombings, Call for US Commitment to Northern Ireland

Call to Action: Call for the Speedy Confirmation of Edward Crawford as Ambassador to Ireland

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Brothers, It has been 676 days since the US has had an Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland. In that time, over seventy ambassadorial appointments have been made. It is simply unacceptable given the historic relationship between the United States and Ireland and the countless contributions of Ireland’s sons and daughters to America that this post has been vacant so long. Additionally, in this time of Brexit it is in America’s best interest to strengthen its ties to Ireland as, with the departure of England, it will be the only predominantly English speaking country in … [Read more...] about Call to Action: Call for the Speedy Confirmation of Edward Crawford as Ambassador to Ireland

U.S. Senate Minority Leader calls for “full, independent international inquiry into unjustified killings by British paratroopers”

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On Thursday, November 15, 2018, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer met with Ms. Carmel Quinn, sister of Ballymurphy victim John Laverty.  Mr. Laverty was killed in an incident called the “Ballymurphy Massacre” that occurred at the start of British government’s policy of internment without trial in Northern Ireland.  Over the course of three days, members of the British Army's Parachute Regiment killed 11 unarmed civilians.  Besides Ms. Quinn’s brother among the victims were a Catholic Priest and a 45 year old mother of eight.   Ms. Quinn and the families of the … [Read more...] about U.S. Senate Minority Leader calls for “full, independent international inquiry into unjustified killings by British paratroopers”

Vote this Nov. 6th.

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This coming Tuesday, November 6th is Election Day. As the preamble to our AOH constitution notes, one of the purposes of this organization is to encourage civic participation. There is no greater civic duty in a democratic republic than to exercise ones right to vote. As the late Fr. Theodore Hesburgh noted “Voting is a civic sacrament." There are many political pundits who question whether there is still an Irish-America out there. That is why it is very important that we as Irish Americans vote and express our conscience. The cold political calculus is that if we do not vote and other … [Read more...] about Vote this Nov. 6th.

AOH Repeats Call for US Northern Ireland Special Envoy After Arrest of Loughinisland Journalists

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The arrest of award-winning veteran journalists Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey for their work connected to the 2017 documentary “No Stone Unturned” is an attack on one of the accepted pillars of a free society: free speech expressed through an independent press.  It is also a blatant assault on the US-brokered Good Friday Agreement and its commitment to bring a lasting peace by addressing with justice the legacy of the troubles.    Birney and McCaffrey were arrested for their investigative journalism of the 18 June 1994 attack on the Heights Bar in the remote village of … [Read more...] about AOH Repeats Call for US Northern Ireland Special Envoy After Arrest of Loughinisland Journalists

Ancient Order of Hibernians Pass Resolution Calling for the Immediate Appointment of a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland

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Meeting at their National Convention and in the wake of recent violence in the North of Ireland, the Ancient Order of Hibernians passed a resolution calling for the immediate appointment of a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland as committed nearly a year ago by President Trump.  WHEREAS the thirty-year conflict known as “The Troubles” was proportionately one of the deadliest in human history; and WHEREAS twenty years ago, the Good Friday Agreement was signed allowing a generation in Northern Ireland to grow up in peace and prosperity; and WHEREAS it has been noted by all … [Read more...] about Ancient Order of Hibernians Pass Resolution Calling for the Immediate Appointment of a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland

In Light of Prime Minister May’s Lack of Confidence in Northern Ireland Wishing to Remain in the UK, Hibernians Call for Referendum

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In an open letter to the Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) asked for their support in calling for the British Government to honor its commitment to hold a referendum on the North of Ireland forming a part of a united Ireland in light of statements made by Prime Minister May indicating that the criteria for such a referendum have been met.   The Letter by National Political Education Chair Neil Cosgrove states: “The U.S. brokered Good Friday Agreement (GFA) ended the thirty-year conflict known as “the Troubles” and has brought twenty … [Read more...] about In Light of Prime Minister May’s Lack of Confidence in Northern Ireland Wishing to Remain in the UK, Hibernians Call for Referendum

With Collapse of Talks in Northern Ireland, Ancient Order of Hibernians Calls on President Trump to Fulfill Pledge to Appoint Special Envoy.

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With the collapse today of talks seeking to restore the devolved Northern Ireland Government, the Ancient Order of Hibernians expressed their concern over the future of U.S. brokered Good Friday Agreement and renewed their calls for appointment of a U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland In a letter to President Trump, Secretary of State Tillerson and members of Congress, AOH Political Education Chairman Neil Cosgrove writes: “The statement made today by DUP leader Arlene Foster that there is no prospect that continued negotiations will lead to a restoration of Northern Ireland’s … [Read more...] about With Collapse of Talks in Northern Ireland, Ancient Order of Hibernians Calls on President Trump to Fulfill Pledge to Appoint Special Envoy.

AOH Commends President’s Decision to Retain Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.

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The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) welcomed today’s [09/26/2017] statement from President Trump expressing his commitment to retain the position of U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.  In making this decision, countermanding the earlier intentions of the State Department to eliminate this post, President Trump has reaffirmed America’s leadership in the cause of peace and justice in Northern Ireland.   The AOH also expresses their profound gratitude to Congressman Richard Neal and the members of the Friends of Ireland caucus for espousing the continuing need for a Special … [Read more...] about AOH Commends President’s Decision to Retain Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.

Political Education: With Britain’s Invocation of Article 50, AOH Renews Calls for Special Envoy to Northern Ireland

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Today, the British Government of Prime Minister Theresa May invoked Article 50 and began the process of the United Kingdom severing its relationship with the European Union, which includes among its members the Republic of Ireland.  The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) is extremely concerned for the implications this action will have for the people of the island of Ireland and repeats its call for the appointment of a U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland. Ms. May’s decision to trigger Brexit against the backdrop of the current political crisis in Northern Ireland where recent elections … [Read more...] about Political Education: With Britain’s Invocation of Article 50, AOH Renews Calls for Special Envoy to Northern Ireland

The Ancient Order of Hibernians Supports the Decision of Martin McGuinness to Resign as Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister, Calls for U.S. Re-engagement in the Peace Process

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New City, New York – 01/10/17 – The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) On January 9, 2017, Martin McGuinness resigned from the role of Deputy First Minister that he has held for ten years.  During his tenure, Mr. McGuinness and Sinn Fein have worked tirelessly for the betterment of all communities of Northern Ireland.  However, the continuing intransigence by members of the DUP to embrace the core principles of equality and respect that are the basis of the Good Friday Agreement, the growing litany of corruption scandals and the DUP's failure to take accountability and deal effectively with a … [Read more...] about The Ancient Order of Hibernians Supports the Decision of Martin McGuinness to Resign as Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister, Calls for U.S. Re-engagement in the Peace Process

AOH UPDATE – BREXIT

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From the Desk of Neil Cosgrove Political Education Chairman   Brexit and its consequence to the Northern Irish Peace Process On June 23, 2016, the voters of the United Kingdom voted to remake the map of Europe and leave the European Union (EU).  The motivation for this mandate can be simplified to two reasons: (1) a frustration with an alien and seemingly detached alien government (sound familiar?) based in Brussels enacting policies and decisions that were felt to impinge on British sovereignty and (2) the inability off the UK to control immigration, heightened by the middle east … [Read more...] about AOH UPDATE – BREXIT

Political Education: In the Wake of the Historic Brexit Vote, Hibernians Call for a Vote on a Reunified Ireland

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New City, New York – 6/29/2016– The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) In the wake of the historic vote by the citizens of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, the Ancient Order of Hibernians calls for a vote, as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement, to allow the citizens of Northern Ireland to decide if they wish to leave the United Kingdom and to reunify with the Irish Republic and the European Union. Per National President Brendan Moore: “For those who seek a reunification of Ireland and the return of sovereignty to the Irish people, the recent 'Brexit' vote and the … [Read more...] about Political Education: In the Wake of the Historic Brexit Vote, Hibernians Call for a Vote on a Reunified Ireland

Help Honor a Great Irish Patriot, Rename “Reservation number 302” to “Robert Emmet Park”

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Currently there is an effort underway spearheaded by AOH JFK Division 5 and the IAUC to officially rename the park bordering Massachusetts Ave and 24th Street NW in Washington, DC in honor of Irish Patriot Robert Emmet.   The parks chief feature in in fact an impressive statue of Robert Emmett that was erected 50 years ago on April 22, 1966 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Rising, it is only fitting that we as Hibernians now finish the job for the 100th.  The park is currently named “US Reservation number 302” by the U.S. National Park Service, a banal identifier no one will miss.  … [Read more...] about Help Honor a Great Irish Patriot, Rename “Reservation number 302” to “Robert Emmet Park”