The Ancient Order of Hibernians

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

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A Shepherd in the Flames: The Medal of Honor Story of Fr. Joseph O’Callahan

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The Medal of Honor is the highest military honor bestowed by the United States.  It is awarded for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.” Achieving this honor in battle is exceptional enough; earning this award when armed only with courage and faith is extraordinary. One such extraordinary man was Fr. Joseph T. O’Callahan, S.J. Joseph Timothy O’Callahan was born on May 14, 1905, in Roxbury, Mass.  In 1922, young Joseph heard God’s call and joined the … [Read more...] about A Shepherd in the Flames: The Medal of Honor Story of Fr. Joseph O’Callahan

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 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. John B. Murphy, Surgical Genius

Irish American Heritage Month: The Irish Brigade at Antietam

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General Thomas Francis Meagher and members of the Irish Brigade Did you know that the Irish had a major part in the victory on the bloodiest day in American history? It was at Antietam on September 17, 1862, and it was the victory that emboldened President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Foremost among Union forces was the Irish Brigade led by Irish-born Gen. Thomas F Meagher. Their story is an extraordinary chronicle of military valor in America’s cause; once when President Lincoln visited General McClellan’s Union camp, he lifted a corner of the Irish Brigade Flag, kissed … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: The Irish Brigade at Antietam

John L Sullivan: a Celtic Warrior and American Superstar

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John Lawrence Sullivan, born to Irish immigrants on October 15, 1858, in Roxbury, Massachusetts, grew into an embodiment of the American Dream for many Irish Americans. His parents, survivors of the Great Hunger in Ireland, instilled in him a profound sense of identity and resilience. Though he was an excellent student and his parents aspired for him to attend Boston College and become a priest, destiny had a different plan for Sullivan. Lured by the raw appeal of professional sports, Sullivan found his true calling in boxing, a sport then shadowed by legal ambiguities and often relegated to … [Read more...] about John L Sullivan: a Celtic Warrior and American Superstar

Courage, Sacrifice, and Loyalty: FDNY Firefighters Thomas and Daniel Foley

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At the young age of 32, Thomas Foley was already an 11-year decorated veteran firefighter of the FDNY and a legend. He was a larger than life individual who embraced life to the fullest and seemed to excel at everything he tried from powerlifting to skydiving. Having learned to ride horses on visits to his grandfather's farm, he even excelled as a competitor on the rodeo circuit. With boyish good looks, Thomas Foley was featured twice by People Magazine and appeared in the FDNY's "2003 Calendar of Heroes." However, being a firefighter was Thomas Foley's first passion; it was all he wanted to … [Read more...] about Courage, Sacrifice, and Loyalty: FDNY Firefighters Thomas and Daniel Foley

Unsinkable and Unstoppable: The True Story of Margaret “Molly” Brown

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Young Margaret Tobin Brown Margaret Tobin Brown, famously known as the "Unsinkable Molly Brown," is often celebrated in popular culture for her flamboyant personality and heroic actions on the Titanic.  However, this portrayal barely scratches the surface of her remarkable life and achievements.  While she is invariably portrayed as an outspoken, humorous, flamboyant woman of America's West, these depictions, though rooted in truth, do a disservice to the complexity and depth of her character and contributions. Born in 1867 in Hannibal, Missouri, to Irish immigrants John and … [Read more...] about Unsinkable and Unstoppable: The True Story of Margaret “Molly” Brown

Irish American Heritage Month 2024

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Irish American Heritage Month is a time to show your pride in being an Irish American and a Hibernian. Here you will find resources to allow you and your division to honor and celebrate the contributions that Irish Americans have made throughout the history of our nation. We must remember that Heritage is not a gift you receive, it is a gift you give and we have a duty to pass our heritage and the pride in being Irish American to the next generation. Resources to Support Your Irish American Heritage Month efforts Sample Irish American Heritage Month Resolution WHEREAS, {Your … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month 2024

Statement from National President Danny O’Connell the historic appointment of Michelle O’Neill as First Minister

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Today marks a monumental achievement that would have seemed unlikely just a few years ago: the appointment of a representative from an Irish nationalist party as the First Minister of Northern Ireland. The Ancient Order of Hibernians congratulates First Minister Michelle O'Neill for making history for Ireland, women, and the world. However, even more significantly, today ends once and for all the days of Stormont being a "Protestant Parliament for a Protestant People," making it a parliament for all members of the community of Northern Ireland. It marks a significant stride towards … [Read more...] about Statement from National President Danny O’Connell the historic appointment of Michelle O’Neill as First Minister

AOH GAELIC MASS DAY WATCHED NATIONALLY

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Hibernians wearing sashes and medallions,joined local Irish community groups, Gaelic Clubs and St. Barnabas parishioners, for Bronx County’s 5th annual Gaelic Mass Day, celebrated by Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald on Sunday October 29th. Once again the symbol for the day was the Irish Mass Rocks, where outlawedMasses were said in secret by outlawed priestsduring the English Penal Laws. This year the Irish Language Mass included a special remembrance for bereaved families “who hunger and thirst for justice”, following a call by Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of all Ireland, for prayers for those who … [Read more...] about AOH GAELIC MASS DAY WATCHED NATIONALLY

Call to Action: Ask Your Congressional Representative to Support H. RES. 596 and Democracy in Northern Ireland

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Brother Hibernian:H. RES. 596, introduced by Hibernian Brother Mike Lawler, calls for the restoration of power-sharing in Northern Ireland. It is a critical step in addressing the ongoing political stalemate and maintaining the progress to peace in the north of Ireland, started 25 years ago by the Good Friday Agreement. The devolved Stormont Assembly has been in collapse since February 3, 2022, denying the people of Northern Ireland their democratically elected voice in their local government. Unconscionably, the reason for this rift is an internal party dispute between the … [Read more...] about Call to Action: Ask Your Congressional Representative to Support H. RES. 596 and Democracy in Northern Ireland

AOH Seeks to Sack U.K. End Run in Florida

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Recently, the British Government passed the "Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act." This legislation is nothing but a callous attempt to airbrush the role of the British Government during the conflict in Northern Ireland at the expense of the victims and their families.  The bill will halt all criminal investigations court proceedings and give an amnesty for all crimes committed during the Northern Ireland conflict, even murder.  Per legal scholars, this amnesty goes even further than the infamous amnesty of Dictator Pinochet.  In historic unity, this act is … [Read more...] about AOH Seeks to Sack U.K. End Run in Florida

AOH Statement on Passage of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill

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With the passage today of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, the government of Prime Minister Sunak has decided to add their own sad chapter in the history of Britain’s callous disregard for the rights of the Irish people.  The bill trades equal access to the courts and justice that are the mark of all democratic societies for an unrealistic, forlorn hope that perpetrators of killings and torture will, after decades of literally getting away with murder, will now have a ‘Road to Damascus” moment.  In rare unanimity, the bill is opposed by all major … [Read more...] about AOH Statement on Passage of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill

Ancient Order of Hibernians Urges British House of Commons to Oppose Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill

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In an unprecedented move, the President of America's largest Irish American Organization, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), has written a letter to each member of the British House of Commons expressing strong opposition to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill currently before parliament. This marks the first time that the AOH, an influential Irish-American organization, has reached out directly to Members of Parliament, highlighting the significance of the issue. The text of the letter is as follows: In every official meeting between the United States and the … [Read more...] about Ancient Order of Hibernians Urges British House of Commons to Oppose Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill

UK’s Legacy Bill Threatens the Good Friday Agreement and ‘Special Relationship’

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Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris stated today that the U.K. Government plans to continue to pursue the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, restoring to the bill provisions that would provide an amnesty for murder and torture, halt current and future investigations, and deny victims access to the courts. This action contravenes Britain's pledged commitments under the Good Friday Agreement and the norms of justice of civilized societies, including the basic principles of the Magna Carta, which holds that no one is above the law. The Northern Ireland … [Read more...] about UK’s Legacy Bill Threatens the Good Friday Agreement and ‘Special Relationship’

AOH letter to Prime Minister Sunak, Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill threatens the US “special relationship” with the UK.

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The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America have been closely following the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill which threatens the US "special relationship" with the UK and has issued the following letter to Prime Minister Sunak following the recent amendment's to the bill: Prime-Minister-Rishi-Sunak-send-6-14-2023Download … [Read more...] about AOH letter to Prime Minister Sunak, Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill threatens the US “special relationship” with the UK.

AOH Army Veterans – Commemorative Jump

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Brother Hibernians and Brother Paratroopers. LTC (Ret) Cole Slattery, past President of the Col. Thomas J. Cunningham Jr. Div., Loudoun County, VA (Left) and MAJ (Ret) Keith Kettell, current President of the Herbert /Cady Div. Alexandria. VA (Right), stand proudly before the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Old Town Alexandria in early March and meet up again in late March in Palatka, FL to close out Irish American Heritage month by jumping from the 80-year-old C-47, Tico Bell. The storied aircraft dropped Paratroopers into Normandy on D-Day June 6th, 1944, and again during Operation Market Garden … [Read more...] about AOH Army Veterans – Commemorative Jump

Good Friday Agreement Anniversary Calls for Renewed US Commitment

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As President Biden arrives in Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, we recognize the tremendous progress that has been made in Northern Ireland since its signing. The agreement has brought about an unprecedented era of peace and stability, and its positive impact on the people of Northern Ireland cannot be overstated. However, we cannot let the significant achievements made over the past 25 years distract us from the significant challenges and threats the Good Friday Agreement and a lasting peace still faces. The ongoing political deadlock in Northern Ireland as … [Read more...] about Good Friday Agreement Anniversary Calls for Renewed US Commitment

Forgotten Patriot: The Courageous Story and Legacy of Commodore John Barry

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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