Long before the Irish were welcomed or celebrated in American life, they were already fighting for the country’s liberty. In the spring of 1775, in the small frontier settlement of Machias on the Maine coast, the son of Irish Catholic immigrants from County Cork led a band of lumbermen and fishermen against a British warship. His name was Jeremiah O’Brien, and the bold action he commanded would produce the first naval victory of the American Revolution. Jeremiah O’Brien was born in 1744 in Kittery, in the district of Massachusetts that would later form the state of Maine, the eldest of six … [Read more...] about Before the U.S. Navy, There was O’Brien
Top Spot
Patrick Carr: The Forgotten Irish Victim of the Boston Massacre
On the night of March 5, 1770, British soldiers fired into a crowd on Boston’s King Street. The shooting left five men dead and helped ignite the chain of events that would lead to the American Revolution. Patriot leaders seized upon the event, pamphlets spread the story across the colonies, and Paul Revere’s famous engraving turned the episode into a symbol of British tyranny. Most Americans know the name Crispus Attucks. Far fewer remember Patrick Carr. Carr was a thirty-one-year-old Irish Catholic immigrant and a skilled leather-breeches maker who had come to Boston seeking what … [Read more...] about Patrick Carr: The Forgotten Irish Victim of the Boston Massacre
John Boyle O’Reilly: The Fenian Who Became Boston’s Voice
When John Boyle O’Reilly arrived in Boston in 1869, he was not a celebrated poet or civic leader. He was a Fenian exile who had escaped from a British penal colony in Western Australia after being transported there for revolutionary activity. Within twenty years he would become one of the most respected voices in the city: editor of The Boston Pilot, a widely read poet, and a civic leader whose influence extended far beyond the Irish immigrant community. O’Reilly rebuilt his life in America without abandoning the convictions that had sent him into exile. He remained committed to Irish … [Read more...] about John Boyle O’Reilly: The Fenian Who Became Boston’s Voice
“I Shot at Every Damn Plane I Could See”: John Finn’s One Man Fight at Pearl Harbor
On the morning of December 7th, 1941, John William Finn was asleep at his home at Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station on Oahu when a neighbor's pounding on his door and the sound of gunfire jolted him awake. The Imperial Japanese Navy had launched a devastating sneak attack without warning or declaration of war, and Finn and 32-year-old Chief Petty Officer and chief aviation ordnance man was about to be among the first to fight back. Born in Compton, California in 1909, Finn had dropped out of school and enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. Now at 32, he had risen to the rank of Chief Petty … [Read more...] about “I Shot at Every Damn Plane I Could See”: John Finn’s One Man Fight at Pearl Harbor
Kate Mullany: An Irish Immigrant Who Helped Working Women Organize
Kate Mullany was a nineteen-year-old Irish immigrant when she became the head of her household. Her father had died in 1864, leaving behind a sickly mother and three sisters, and a brother who depended on her to survive. Like many daughters of Irish immigrants in Troy, New York, she went to work in the one place that offered steady pay to women: the collar laundries. Troy, New York, at the time, was known as Collar City. The detachable linen collar had become an essential fixture of respectable dress. Troy produced most of the nation's collars, but before they reached the market, they had … [Read more...] about Kate Mullany: An Irish Immigrant Who Helped Working Women Organize
Introducing Our Friend, Saint Patrick
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is pleased to share exciting news with our members and friends: the release of Our Friend, Saint Patrick, the newest title in the acclaimed Our Friend series of Catholic children’s books—published with full ecclesiastical approval (Nihil Obstat & Imprimatur) by Amici Santi. This special edition is particularly meaningful to the AOH, as it features a foreword by our National Chaplain, Very Reverend Martin O’Reilly. We are honored to collaborate on a project that presents the life of Ireland’s patron saint to young readers with faithfulness, clarity, and … [Read more...] about Introducing Our Friend, Saint Patrick
AOH President’s Day Wreath Laying for Grant and Teddy Roosevelt
In a joint venture with Irish America 250, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to celebrating the Irish role in U.S. history, Hibernians across Metropolitan New York gathered this President’s Weekend to honor two U.S. presidents with Irish roots. On Saturday, members of the Nassau County Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) paid tribute to President Theodore Roosevelt with a wreath-laying ceremony at his family home, Sagamore Hill National Park. The ceremony, led by AOH Nassau County Board President Joe McDonald and Pipe Major Robert Lynch, included a wreath presentation by New York State … [Read more...] about AOH President’s Day Wreath Laying for Grant and Teddy Roosevelt
Beatification Cause Advances for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
The Ancient Order of Hibernians was recently cited in a national Catholic news report as the cause for the beatification of Fulton J. Sheen moves forward. In an article published by OSV News, tributes highlighted Archbishop Sheen’s enduring influence on the Catholic Church in America and renewed momentum in the advancement of his cause. The progress marks another significant step toward possible sainthood for one of the most influential Catholic communicators of the 20th century. In addition to his global impact as an evangelist, Archbishop Sheen also served as National Chaplain of the … [Read more...] about Beatification Cause Advances for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
AOH Statement Condemning Racist Depiction of Former President and First Lady Obama
[New Jersey 02/07/2026] – The following statement was released by the Ancient Order of Hibernians condemning the racist depiction of President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama circulated via President Trump’s social media account. "The Ancient Order of Hibernians condemns in the strongest possible terms the racist depiction of President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama as apes that was shared from President Trump's social media account. This is not a political statement, but a moral one founded in our Irish history and Catholic faith. We recognize this tactic because it … [Read more...] about AOH Statement Condemning Racist Depiction of Former President and First Lady Obama
Announcing the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America (“AOH”) 2026 “America 250 Essay Contest”
The AOH is pleased to announce the revival of an old tradition, the AOH Irish History Essay Contest. This contest, which is designed to stimulate an interest in the study of the history of Ireland and the global Irish Diaspora, is open to students who are enrolled in grades 11 or 12 during the 2025/2026 Academic Year. OFFICIAL RULES TOPIC: Write an essay on the contributions of men and women of Irish heritage to the founding of the United States of America. All essays should be aligned with, although not necessarily about, the mission, … [Read more...] about Announcing the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America (“AOH”) 2026 “America 250 Essay Contest”
The Great Hunger Was Not a Game, Survival Not a “Prize”
The Great Hunger board game by Compass Games has drawn sharp criticism from the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which argues that gamifying Ireland’s Great Hunger (An Gorta Mór) trivializes one of history's gravest human catastrophes. Framing mass starvation, forced emigration, and generational trauma as a competitive exercise distorts historical reality and undermines any serious educational claim about the Great Hunger and its causes.: The Ancient Order of Hibernians is both saddened and outraged by the announcement of The Great Hunger board game by Compass Games. We are saddened because … [Read more...] about The Great Hunger Was Not a Game, Survival Not a “Prize”
Feeding the Future: The Hibernian Hunger Project
We are pleased to highlight a recent podcast appearance by William "Bill" Sullivan, National Chair of the Hibernian Hunger Committee, on Craic on the Coast. In Episode 28, hosts Michael Schilling and Greg Shanahan sit down with Bill to discuss the origins, mission, and national impact of the Hibernian Hunger Project—one of the signature charitable initiatives of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. During the conversation, Bill reflects on how the Hibernian Hunger Project grew out of both compassion and historical memory, drawing a direct line between Ireland’s experience of famine and the … [Read more...] about Feeding the Future: The Hibernian Hunger Project
Standing for Life and True Choice
The National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, has issued a statement regarding a proposed facility in Hudson County capable of performing abortions through all stages of pregnancy. It's morally indefensible that abortions of viable children could occur while nearby, infants of identical gestational age embrace life in NICUs. Our laws and conscience cannot remain divided on whether the value of a child's life, or any life, depends solely on whether he or she is wanted or is convenient to others. Any society that adopts such a standard places itself on a slippery slope, … [Read more...] about Standing for Life and True Choice
AOH America 250
Honoring Irish America’s Role in Building the United States In 2026, the United States marks 250 years of independence.From the very beginning, Irish Americans were there—soldiers in Washington’s army, leaders in politics, builders of cities, and servants of community. The Ancient Order of Hibernians carries that legacy forward in faith, culture, and charity. Our Story For generations, Irish immigrants and their descendants helped shape America. They dug canals and built railroads, raised churches and schools, and filled the ranks of the military, police, and fire services. … [Read more...] about AOH America 250
AOH Condemns Minneapolis Church Attack, Demands Action on Anti-Catholic Violence
[New York, NY 08/28/2025] – The Ancient Order of Hibernians condemns in the strongest possible terms the horrific act of hate that took the lives of two innocent children and left many others wounded during Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. No American should ever face violence while practicing their faith. Our first thoughts and prayers are with the families who have suffered the unthinkable loss of their children, and with the parish community of Annunciation, whose sanctuary was violated and desecrated in the very act of worship. This must never … [Read more...] about AOH Condemns Minneapolis Church Attack, Demands Action on Anti-Catholic Violence
SC Hibernians Honor our Veterans in Washington, DC
Shortly after Memorial Day, Brothers from South Carolina and Georgia laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, DC. The ceremony concluded a weekend (June 6-8th) of family fun and sightseeing that included attendance at Dropkick Murphy's Rally for Veterans on the National Mall, visits to several Smithsonian Museums, and a private tour of the the White House and US Capitol building coordinated by SC Senator Lindsay Graham's congressional staff. To conclude the weekend, the travel party which included State Vice President Greg … [Read more...] about SC Hibernians Honor our Veterans in Washington, DC
Justice Not Sympathy for Sean Brown
“We don’t need sympathy we need justice” said a visibly angry Clare Brown Loughran, as she described how British Secretary Hilary Benn, who feigns sympathy for her mother Bridie Brown, lodged papers to take the case to the London Supreme Court without even notifying the family or its lawyers. She spoke in a live webinar broadcast, hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) on Saturday May 31 st . Other panelists included another victim’s relative Roisin Read, Ciaran Madden representing the Irish government, and Daniel Holder of the Committee for the Administration of Justice. DAIL … [Read more...] about Justice Not Sympathy for Sean Brown
Experiencing the Places of History
Members of the National Board at the site of the Michael Collins ambush near Béal na Bláth. The late Professor Marshall McLuhan presciently noted, long before the advent of the World Wide Web, that we “live today in an age of information and communication [in which] electric media instantly and constantly create a total field of interacting events in which all men participate.” The contents of entire libraries now reside online, making history accessible from any place, at any time, without the need for even local travel. Even so, there has been a renewed interest in recent years, across … [Read more...] about Experiencing the Places of History
Ancient Order of Hibernians Congratulates Pope Leo XIV, First American Pope, on His Election as the 267th Successor of St. Peter
New York — May 8, 2025 — The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America (AOH) extends heartfelt congratulations and prayerful best wishes to His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, on his election as the 267th successor of St. Peter. His election marks a special moment for American Catholics as the first pope born in the United States. “We offer our prayers and support to Pope Leo XIV as he begins his ministry as Bishop of Rome and Pastor of the Universal Church,” said Sean Pender, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Ad Multos Annos, Pope Leo XIV. … [Read more...] about Ancient Order of Hibernians Congratulates Pope Leo XIV, First American Pope, on His Election as the 267th Successor of St. Peter
Ancient Order of Hibernians in America Congratulate Bishop-Elect Father John E.Keehner on being installed as the Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa
New York— 04/29/25 — The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America (AOH) congratulate and offer our prayerful best wishes to our brother Hibernian, Bishop Elect Father John E. Keehner on being installed as the Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa on Thursday, May 1 st , 2025. “We look forward to working with Bishop Elect Keehner as he assumes the office of Bishop for the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa”, said Sean Pender, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians President. As our immediate past National Chaplain, I have worked with Bishop Elect Keehner on a number of different projects. Our … [Read more...] about Ancient Order of Hibernians in America Congratulate Bishop-Elect Father John E.Keehner on being installed as the Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa