The Ancient Order of Hibernians

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

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175th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Great Hunger

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On September 13, 1845, the British Publication, "The Gardner's Journal," announced, "We stop the Press with very great regret to announce that the potato murrain [blight] has unequivocally declared itself in Ireland." That date is considered the precursor of An Gorta Mor, the "Great Hunger." Over the next five years, Ireland would lose a quarter of its population, over two million people, to death and starvation. 2020 marks the 175th anniversary of the start of the great hunger. Ironically, observances of this tragic inflection point in Irish and Irish American history are constrained as … [Read more...] about 175th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Great Hunger

A Letter to Irish America

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August 28th, 2020 Dear Irish America, Founded in 1836 with current membership in all 50 states, the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America is the oldest and largest Irish Catholic Organization in the United States. In fact, the AOH is the largest Irish organization outside of Ireland. How does an American, Catholic, Irish fraternal organization continue to thrive for over 184 years? The answer is simple - we are a multifaceted organization that covers everything relevant to Irish Americans. The giant umbrella of the Hibernians covers all Irish American interests in some way. We are … [Read more...] about A Letter to Irish America

AOH Statement on the Passing of Nobel Laureate John Hume

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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

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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

Deafening Media Silence in Reporting of Wave of Catholic Church Attacks

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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

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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

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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

Statement on the Deportation of Brother Malachy McAllister

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Malachy McAllister and his U.S. Citizen Grandchildren Today, after a 24-year legal battle to seek asylum and gain permanent residency in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security has deported Malachy McAllister, a 62-year-old grandfather. Mr. McAllister was a New Jersey resident and respected leader in the Irish community leader who came to America after escaping an assassination attempt in Northern Ireland and has lived peacefully in the United States while legally seeking permanent residency. Judge James F. McKay III, President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the … [Read more...] about Statement on the Deportation of Brother Malachy McAllister

Immediate Action Needed! Keep Malachy McAllister in the United States

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Our Hibernian oath calls us to action “If a brother should be defamed, or be treated unjustly, I will espouse his cause, give him the earliest possible advice and aid him when in distress."  We need to give action to these noble words in the case of Brother Malachy McAllister, who is facing deportation this Friday, June 5, 2020.   As a youth, as were many of his generations during “The Conflict” Malachy was arrested and incarcerated contrary to any recognized standard of due process. Malachy fulfilled his sentence, being released early for good behavior. Despite … [Read more...] about Immediate Action Needed! Keep Malachy McAllister in the United States

Mark Thompson RFJ Message to FFAI Committee, AOH & LAOH

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https://youtu.be/jZVUJxilKdk In this video, (the first in a series being arranged by the National Board) Mark Thompson of Relatives for Justice, explains in a few minutes just how much our AOH and LAOH FFAI work means to those in Belfast and across the north working for justice and he also updates us on Britain's latest cover-up. He explains the importance of FFAI grants through the Christmas Appeal, political pressure on the British through Congressional letters and hearings,and publicizing the truth about British injustice across America. The latest British plan on legacy killings … [Read more...] about Mark Thompson RFJ Message to FFAI Committee, AOH & LAOH

From the desk of President McKay

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Greeting Brothers, Currently, we are working on our annual Project St. Patrick Easter Appeal raising scholarship grants for those who have been called to serve Our Lord. Supporting vocations is part of who we are dating back to our formation when we were called to protect our Clergy. Special thanks to all our divisions who support vocation annually and we hope that every division and board around the country will be part of the 2020 campaign. Please note that when you provide diocesan information, we need you to include email addresses this year. In our … [Read more...] about From the desk of President McKay

From the desk of President McKay

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Greeting Brothers, I am addressing you from my home here in New Orleans. Home is where most of us have been isolated for the past three weeks. We know the global pandemic has weighed greatly on the minds of each and every one of us these past few weeks as our family, friends, and communities have struggled to cope with illness and the side effects of isolation, job loss, and anxiety. We were called to duty, as Catholics and civic-minded Americans, to provide needed leadership during the period of unknown. Hibernians across the country answered that call. We stood united with our Bishops, … [Read more...] about From the desk of President McKay

Call to Action on Irish American Heritage Month

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We are currently in the final stages of preparing a new Irish American Heritage Month Video. Last year our video proclaimed Irish American Heritage Month to thousands on social media and the web. This year we wish to better that. We ask each of you not only to watch it but to share it on Facebook, Twitter, etc. and encourage others to do the same. It takes less than 2 minutes, yet if every Hibernian took the opportunity to share this video, then we should have no less than tens of thousands of shares. Tens of thousands of shares will be noticed promoting not only IAHM but the Hibernians. We … [Read more...] about Call to Action on Irish American Heritage Month

Hibernians take the plunge

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On January 26, the Vol. Patrick Torphy Division, of Middletown, NJ, hosted its 14th annual Polar Plunge for Catholic Education at Sea Bright beach. Total raised exceeded $210,000 for the day and over $1.6 million since inception. AOH Brothers from Bergen, Fair Haven, Freehold, Middlesex, and Middletown divisions joined one thousand plungers in true Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity.     … [Read more...] about Hibernians take the plunge

Southwest Report – February 2020

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from Mike Joyce, Southwest Liaison ... Hibernians in the Southwest are busy prepping for the Green Season. An update from Phoenix, Albuquerque, Austin, and Dallas/Fort Worth: My home division in Austin, Texas the Brothers of Msg. McCabe Dv#1 are gearing up for their 4th Annual Irish Stew Cookoff at B.D. Riley's Pub. This event has raised thousands for local charities CARITAS and the St. Gabriel Project over the past few years. In Dallas/Fort Worth the Brothers of Michael Collins Dv#1 are in talks to participate in the Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade as well as helping to organize a … [Read more...] about Southwest Report – February 2020

The RACE FOR THE REST OF US!!!

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Saint Columcille Division 36 AOH, Worcester, MA from National Director William Sullivan ... Division 36 AOH has devised a unique fundraising endeavor. Advertised as “The Race for the Rest of Us”, Division members recently took part one weekend in a road race like no other! As in just about all road races, participants pay an entrance fee. These entrance fees are used to fund the Division’s cultural activities. The two-day event begins with a Friday night all you can carb spaghetti dinner, followed by the road race on Saturday. The 0.5k (1640.415 ft.) road race on Saturday morning, … [Read more...] about The RACE FOR THE REST OF US!!!

AOH FIGHTS JOHNSON’S LEGACY COVERUP WITH THOMPSON TOUR

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In the October FFAI Bulletin, the AOH predicted that "after Brexit, Boris Johnson would move to "shutdown prosecutions of British troopers for murdering the Irish, and ... end hopes for justice by cutting off truth mechanisms once and for all". Johnson did not even wait for Brexit!  On November 11th, Johnson pledged to end prosecutions of British troopers.                             The AOH will stand behind victims' families and fight … [Read more...] about AOH FIGHTS JOHNSON’S LEGACY COVERUP WITH THOMPSON TOUR