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
Top Spot
Irish American Heritage Month: Anne Sullivan, ‘The Miracle Worker’
Imagine the loneliness and isolation of a person who is both deaf and blind. Even worse, imagine that isolation beginning when you were only 19 months old when the disease took these vital senses away before you comprehended the concept of what the word was, leaving you with limited means to convey your thought and feelings. This is the description of the challenge that newly graduated teacher Anne Sullivan was taking on when she was hired to be the governess and teacher to seven-year-old Hellen Keller. Anne was only twenty years old and was herself seriously visually impaired. Sullivan was … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: Anne Sullivan, ‘The Miracle Worker’
AMERICAN AOH MEETING BELFAST VICTIMS’ FAMILIES
Ancient Order of Hibernians National President Danny O'Connell gets briefing on Springhill Massacre at site of the Massacre. Last Wednesday British Secretary Brandon Lewis pledged that he was “absolutely committed” to legislate an amnesty for all Troubles killings. Danny O'Connell, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians traveled to Belfast to meet the Springhill Massacre families, New Lodge Six families and Sean Graham’s Bookmakers Massacre Families in meetings arranged by Relatives for Justice. He pledged that the powerful Irish American organization is “absolutely … [Read more...] about AMERICAN AOH MEETING BELFAST VICTIMS’ FAMILIES
President’s Testimonial Dinner & Sean MacBride Award Presentation
The National Board and Hibernian Charity board convened in Youngstown Ohio for the President's testimonial dinner and the presentation of the 2021 Sean MacBride Award to Geraldine Finucane. https://youtu.be/Op1efN77rzk More Videos: Past Sean MacBride Award Recipients Congratulate Geraldine Finucane The gathering started with a meal and team building event at a great local restaurant the MVR whose bocce courts allowed for good fun and intense competition amongst the members. Two full days of meetings commenced early Friday morning where every chair, director and board member … [Read more...] about President’s Testimonial Dinner & Sean MacBride Award Presentation
Hibernians Ask Boston College Not “To Call a Tail a Leg” in Promoting Trevor Ringland Talk
In a letter to Dr. Robert Mauro, Director of the Irish Institute of Boston College, the Ancient Order of Hibernians take exception with the institute promoting Mr. Trevor Ringland, MBE, as the "Special Envoy from Northern Ireland to the United States" in an upcoming talk at the Universities McMullen Museum on 10/19. The title was conferred on Mr. Ringland by the Government of Boris Johnson in an announcement on June 6th of this year. The letter states: "Precise language and rigor of description are the hallmarks of good scholarship. Therefore, we are gravely disappointed that Boston College … [Read more...] about Hibernians Ask Boston College Not “To Call a Tail a Leg” in Promoting Trevor Ringland Talk
Hibernians Question Double Standard of Outrage Regarding Latest Catholic Church Attack in Denver
As an organization formed in 1836 to combat attacks by bigoted nativist against newly arrived Irish immigrants and the Catholic Churches they attended, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) are saddened to see a return of that same prejudice in the recent vandalism of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Colorado. The spraying of swastikas, messages of stereotypical bigotry, and the desecration of objects of veneration are proof that the anti-Catholic bigotry of the 19th century 'Know Nothings' still as adherents in 21st century America. Yet amplifying our outrage over this … [Read more...] about Hibernians Question Double Standard of Outrage Regarding Latest Catholic Church Attack in Denver
U.S. Congress Writes to U.K.’s Johnson to Denounce Ban on Trouble’s Legacy Inquests and Prosecutions
As pledged during a webinar hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) Freedom for All Ireland Chair Martin Galvin, held three days after the British government’s release of a plan to end further investigations and prosecution into killings committed during the conflict in Northern Ireland, Congressman Brendan Boyle, working in conjunction with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, has sent a bipartisan letter to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denouncing the U.K.’s plan to renege on its commitments under the Stormont House Agreement. The letter is cosigned by an additional 34 … [Read more...] about U.S. Congress Writes to U.K.’s Johnson to Denounce Ban on Trouble’s Legacy Inquests and Prosecutions
Britain Wants To Bury Hopes of Legacy Justice
The Ancient Order of Hibernians, has issued the following statement by National Freedom for All Ireland Chairman Martin Galvin. Congressman Brendan Boyle, Irish Consul General Ciaran Madden, and representatives of Irish and British political parties, joined with Irish Americans across the country, to hear victims’ relatives and survivors appeal for help to stop Britain from taking away their rights to legacy justice. Jacqueline Butler, daughter of a Springhill Massacre victim, Steven Travers a survivor of the Miami Showband Massacre, and Martin Mallon, whose aunt Roseann Mallon was one of … [Read more...] about Britain Wants To Bury Hopes of Legacy Justice
Hibernians Condemn U.K. Announcement of Troubles Amnesty.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), the largest Irish American organization in the United States, condemns today's announcement by Britain of its plans to create a special statute of limitations for “all Trouble’s Related Incidents” [sic]. A model of British understatement, such “incidents” including the murder of innocent civilians and numerous human rights violations by British forces. (Photo by Getty Images) The announcement delivered by Northern Ireland Secretary Lewis today has achieved one singular distinction: he has succeeded in uniting and rallying the community of Northern … [Read more...] about Hibernians Condemn U.K. Announcement of Troubles Amnesty.
Hibernians Welcome Announcement of Claire Cronin as Ambassador to Ireland
The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) welcomes the announcement that President Biden has nominated Massachusetts House Majority Leader Claire Cronin to be the United States Ambassador to Ireland. The alacrity in making this nomination shows an appreciation by the administration of the very "special relationship" that the U.S. and Ireland enjoy, a relationship that predates America's independence. It is a relationship which George Washington paid tribute to when he said "When our friendless standards were first unfurled, who were the strangers who first mustered around our staff, Erin's … [Read more...] about Hibernians Welcome Announcement of Claire Cronin as Ambassador to Ireland
In Rememberance of Memorial Day
In observance of Memorial Day, we remember in a special way the thousands of Irish immigrants, who though new to their adopted country, were willing to serve and made the ultimate sacrifice to their adopted country. Having left family in Ireland and having not had a chance to establish themselves in America, their sacrifices are often overlooked. May we never forget them. https://youtu.be/nhPXOCy6OcY … [Read more...] about In Rememberance of Memorial Day
Statement By AOH National President on Today’s Verdict Vindicating the Ballymurphy Massacre Victims
(Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Daniel O'Connell, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the largest Irish American organization in the U.S., has released the following statement: After 18,171 days, almost half a century, today's verdict by Mrs. Justice Keegan not only confirmed that the ten victims of Britain's Ballymurphy Massacre were totally innocent but indicts the British who branded them guilty. The verdict clearly demonstrates Britain's real reason for announcing plans for a soldiers' amnesty or cut-off of historical investigations because the crown … [Read more...] about Statement By AOH National President on Today’s Verdict Vindicating the Ballymurphy Massacre Victims
Hibernians Call on House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee to Reaffirm U.S. Commitment to the Good Friday Agreement
May 4, 2021 The Honorable William Keating2351 Rayburn HOBWashington, DC 20515 Re: May 5, 2021 Hearing on "Reaffirming the Good Friday Agreement. Dear Congressman Keating: We write to you as members of the National Board of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, with membership in all fifty states the largest Irish American organization in the United States, concerning your May 5, 2021 hearing on "Reaffirming the Good Friday Agreement." Given the currents taking place in the north of Ireland, we do not believe that your hearing could be more timely or more needed, and we commend you for … [Read more...] about Hibernians Call on House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee to Reaffirm U.S. Commitment to the Good Friday Agreement
As Violence Escalates in Northern Ireland, Hibernians Call on President to Fill Special Envoy Position
On the 23rd Anniversary of the historic Good Friday Agreement, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), America's largest Irish American Organization, have written President Biden asking for the appointment of a U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland. The Hibernians expressed their concern that increasing violence and inflammatory rhetoric by senior leaders of the Unionist community are a threat to the over two decades of peace the Good Friday Agreement has delivered. The letter states: BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 07: Nationalists and Loyalists riot against one another at the Peace … [Read more...] about As Violence Escalates in Northern Ireland, Hibernians Call on President to Fill Special Envoy Position
Call To Action: Support the Senate Resolution Supporting the Good Friday Agreement!
Loyalist graffiti in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim Brother Hibernians and Friends, Currently before the Senate is a bipartisan resolution sponsored by Senators Mendez of New Jersey and Collins of Maine reaffirming U.S. support for the Good Friday Agreement. Twenty years on, many of the provisions of the agreement designed to cement a lasting peace in the north of Ireland have not been implemented. Now, once again, the peace wrought by this historic agreement is under threat. Several loyalist paramilitaries have recently withdrawn their support for the Good Friday Agreement, one prominent … [Read more...] about Call To Action: Support the Senate Resolution Supporting the Good Friday Agreement!
Irish American Heritage Month: Archbishop “Dagger John” Hughes
John Joseph Hughes was born on 24 June 1797 in Annaloghan, Co. Tyrone, to a poor farmer. As a Catholic in English-ruled Ireland, he couldn’t even receive a Catholic education. When John was 15, his younger sister, Mary, died and British law barred a Catholic priest from presiding at her burial; the best he could do was to scoop up a handful of dirt, bless it, and hand it to John to sprinkle on her grave. Hughes never forgot that and dreamed of ‘a country in which no stigma of inferiority would be impressed on my brow, simply because I professed one creed or another.’ Fleeing poverty and … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: Archbishop “Dagger John” Hughes
Call To Action: Irish American Heritage Month
Brothers: As we approach March 2021, the fact that our communities are still battling the COVID-19 pandemic will make many of our traditional celebrations of our Irish heritage through parades and public events untenable for a second consecutive year. While it may not be noted in the mainstream media, we know that this pandemic has hit our community hard. Many of our brothers and sisters in the hospitality industry have lost family businesses that kept the Irish tradition alive across generations. Many of our cultural institutions, schools of Irish dance, and music will be … [Read more...] about Call To Action: Irish American Heritage Month
Hibernian Talks: Irish Author Kevin Barry
The AOH hosted the first in a new series called Hibernian Talks on January 30th. This new series will feature talks around Irish Culture and Arts hosted by AOH Brother Timothy Noonan. The first episode features an interview with Irish Author Kevin Barry about his new book "That Old Country Music" a collection of short stories. Watch the Interview: https://youtu.be/Py2oTjogl7I?t=49 About the Author – Kevin Barry – from Penguin Random House: Purchase “That Old Country Music” by Kevin Barry Purchase audible version of “That Old Country Music” Narrated by Kevin Barry: … [Read more...] about Hibernian Talks: Irish Author Kevin Barry
Hibernians Backing Legacy Justice Appeal
Hundreds of victims' families, fighting new British plans to cut off chances for legacy justice, will make a special live appeal for American support on a webinar hosted by Hibernians on Saturday, January 23rd. This special appeal to Irish Americans will climax a series of events, including a published open letter signed by hundreds of families, and political initiatives both north and south. Relatives for Justice Director Mark Thompson and selected victims' representatives will speak from Ireland, while America's oldest and largest Irish organization, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and … [Read more...] about Hibernians Backing Legacy Justice Appeal
AOH Statement on the British Government’s Refusal of an Independent Public Inquiry into the Murder of Pat Finucane
Once again, the British Government has refused to honor its own court rulings, pledges, and international law, regarding the murder of civil rights lawyer Pat Finucane. It has again refused a public inquiry which would reveal the extent of British state complicity in the murder and has instead told the Finucane family to again make complaints to the constabulary or ombudsman, in other words, to continue with the very process that the British Courts have found as insufficient. We can only conclude that Britain has much to hide. AOH National President, Daniel J O’Connell, added “the British … [Read more...] about AOH Statement on the British Government’s Refusal of an Independent Public Inquiry into the Murder of Pat Finucane