The Ancient Order of Hibernians

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

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Freedom For All Ireland

Irish America Needed Now For Unity Poll

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AOH National President Sean Pender and other National Board members in attendance

An overflow crowd at the Bronx County Ancient Order of Hibernian Dinner, stood and cheered as speaker Andree Murphy recalled Irish America’s historic role in 1916, the Black and Tan War, and Good Friday Agreement, then pointed to a banner calling for the end of British rule in Ireland and exclaimed “I am here to tell you that day has come!”. She said Irish American support for Ireland’s Future, the non-party political organization campaigning for a vote on Irish reunification under the Good Friday Agreement, would be critical to getting a unity poll in 2030.The event was also highlighted by pledges of support by Congressman Ritchie Torres and presentation of ‘Spirit of 1916’ awards to outstanding honorees Marion Reynolds of Irish Northern Aid, Brian Sharkey of the Grand Council of Emerald Societies, and New York State AOH President Thomas O’Donnell.

Congressman Torres

Congressman Ritchie Torres was described as someone who had been introduced to Irish issues by AOH members and had come to be a leading fighter for the Irish joining a series of bipartisan Congressional initiatives. He said “I stand with the Irish people on the issue of Irish unity and with Irish victims against the British legacy act. Justice means punishing perpetrators and protecting victims but the British legacy act protects perpetrators and punishes the victims”.

Honorees

Because of major health issues Marion Reynolds was unable to attend but was represented by her daughter Patty Cuffe and grandchildren Maura and Rory Feeney.

Marion Reynolds was described by Bronx County President Martin Galvin, as “the heart and soul of Irish Northern Aid through more than a quarter century of Irish conflict, as INA overcame opposition, indeed vilification from the British to provide critical American political and publicity backing for the Irish Republican Army struggle, and vital funds for Republican prisoners’ wives and children”. She served as National Treasurer, responsible for of getting badly needed funds to the wives and children of political prisoners, INA office manager taking INA from Inwood to the heart of Manhattan and Business Manager for the IRISH PEOPLE Weekly Newspaper.

Brian Sharkey was honored for his leadership across the Emerald Societies, having held the key posts of President of the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies and President of the New York City Department of Corrections Emerald Society.

In introducing Brian Sharkey it was noted that the Bronx AOH received a record number of congratulatory calls and email messages when his selection for a ‘Spirit of 1916’ award became public. The large contingent of Emerald Society members in attendance, including current Grand Council President Martin Bellew and Denis Mulcahy of Project Children, reflected the respect and regard Brian Sharkey has earned for his leadership.

Hibernians

AOH National President Sean Pender presented a ‘Spirit of 1916’ Award to New York State President Thomas O’Donnell. Before calling up the honoree Sean Pender noted that ”for decades the British had tried to hide the reality of British rule in the north but individuals like Marion Reynolds or Denis Mulcahy had stood up for the truth and made a difference.” He pledged that under his leadership the AOH would work to make a difference by supporting Ireland’s Future and efforts to achieve the vote on reunification promised in the Good Friday Agreement.

Ireland’s Future

Andree Murphy traveled from Belfast to make a special appeal to Irish America. She recalled:

“There were times that only Irish American support kept us going. When the people were censored by Britain and in Ireland …it was Irish America that chose – that made a decision to pay attention”.

She noted that when the British passed the legacy act:

“Irish America swung into action in a way unprecedented since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement… Your determination and insistence that families were not abandoned and the Good Friday Agreement defended meant that the Irish Government took the unprecedented Inter-State case. And make absolutely no mistake that case would not have happened without you in this room. There are thousands of bereaved families who last Christmas sat in tears knowing that the Irish Government was on their side and that they were not abandoned.”

She described the dramatic demographic, economic and social changes in the north and growing support for reunification. Now is the time for Irish America to back Ireland’s Future and put pressure on the British to allow a historic vote, which would make Irish reunification a reality instead of an aspiration.


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