The Ancient Order of Hibernians

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

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Nassau holds successful Feis

Nassau holds successful Feis

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The Nassau County Hibernians sponsored a marvelous 49th Annual Feis & Irish Festival on the South Shore of Long Island, on Sept. 19. The extremely well attended event was organized by Feis Chairman Michael Byrne and a host of Hibernians who served as the Feis Committee. This year’s honoree was John O’Connell, AOH National Editor. National Editor John O’Connell was the Honoree of this year’s Nassau Hibernians’ Feis & Festival. At the Feis Award ceremonies were, from left, MC Donal Mahoney, Chairman Mike Byrne, Honoree John O’Connell, Nassau LAOH President Maureen Caffrey and … [Read more...] about Nassau holds successful Feis

Hibernians Ask Boston College Not “To Call a Tail a Leg” in Promoting Trevor Ringland Talk

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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

Pride in the Pit BBQ – AOH Nashville – Sons of Erin Division

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The Pride in the Pit is an annual BBQ contest held on Homecoming weekend at Father Ryan High School in Nashville, Tennessee. This year the event returned on October 1st after a year’s absence. All proceeds for the highly successful event benefited Father Ryan High School mission trips. AOH Nashville Sons of Erin Division members David Kennedy, Brian Philbin and TommyRagsdale participate in the Pride in the Pit BBQ contest … [Read more...] about Pride in the Pit BBQ – AOH Nashville – Sons of Erin Division

Hibernians Question Double Standard of Outrage Regarding Latest Catholic Church Attack in Denver

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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

NYS AOH Remembers Members Lost on 9/11

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The New York State Board of the Ancient Order of Hibernians held a Memorial Mass at St. Peter’s Church, in lower Manhattan, on Sept. 25, at which they unveiled a special plaque in honor of the Hibernians lost on 9/11/01. NY AOH Chaplain Fr. Henry Reid said the Mass. The event was conceived of and planned by NYS AOH President John Manning, with the help of many other Hibernians. NJ AOH President Richard O’Brien, North Carolina AOH President Chris Cooke and PA AOH President Ed Dougherty, and Ladies AOH NY State VP Regina Begley also participated. The Hibernian Singers served as the choir at the … [Read more...] about NYS AOH Remembers Members Lost on 9/11

U.S. Congress Writes to U.K.’s Johnson to Denounce Ban on Trouble’s Legacy Inquests and Prosecutions

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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

Commodore Barry Day 2021

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Per our National Constitution, September 13th is designated "Commodore Barry Day," a national holiday of the Order.  If you are not aware of who Commodore Barry is, you are not alone, for sadly, you are in the company of the majority of Americans.  This speaks to the importance of the day and a significance which extends far beyond the man himself. Commodore John Barry, 1801 Portrait by Gilbert Stuart When one looks at the 1801 portrait of Barry by Gilbert Stuart, one may get a false impression of Barry; the painting shows an old man in declining health (Barry would die two … [Read more...] about Commodore Barry Day 2021

Texas Hibernians Call for Renaming Ft. Hood to Honor Medal of Honor Recipient Audie Murphy

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Meeting at their biannual convention, Texas members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the largest Irish American organization in the United States, have in a resolution called for Ft. Hood to be renamed in honor of Audie Murphy, the most decorated combat soldier of WW II.  The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act mandates renaming any U.S. military assets that commemorate the Confederacy or those who served in the Confederacy. Ft. Hood is currently named for Confederate General John Bell Hood. The Texas Hibernians noted that Audie Murphy, a native of … [Read more...] about Texas Hibernians Call for Renaming Ft. Hood to Honor Medal of Honor Recipient Audie Murphy

Hibernians Call For End on Ban of Irish Travel to U.S.

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Today, in a letter to United States President Joe Biden, the National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), Daniel J. O’Connell called for an end to the ban on travel from Ireland to the United States, which has been in place since March 2020. The letter states: The Ancient Order of Hibernians, the largest Irish American organization in the United States, calls upon you, Mr. President, to lift the travel ban that currently applies to Ireland and the rest of Europe and replace it with a sensible and scientific protocol that permits a resumption of … [Read more...] about Hibernians Call For End on Ban of Irish Travel to U.S.

Catholic Calendar – September 2021

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Catholic Action Greetings to All Hibernians: The month of September is still part of Ordinary Time, with green being the liturgical vestment color. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF MAY September 3Gregory the Great, Pope and DoctorMemorialSeptember 13John ChrysostomMemorialSeptember 14Exaltation of the Holy CrossFeastSeptember 16Cornelius, Pope and Martyr; Cyprian, Bishop and MartyrMemorialSeptember 21Matthew, Apostle and EvangelistFeastSeptember 23Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)MemorialSeptember 27Vincent de PaulMemorialSeptember 29Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – September 2021

Claims of Notre Dame Leprechaun Offensiveness is Media Malarkey.

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In response to the recent media frenzy concerning reports that a poll has found the Notre Dame Leprechaun Mascot and the nickname 'Fighting Irish' offensive, the National Anti Defamation Chair of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the largest Irish American Organization in the U.S., has issued the following statement: It is with a mixture of disbelief and despondency that the Hibernians read today headlines "Notre Dame leprechaun considered offensive, according to survey" in multiple newspapers and media outlets. This media-manufactured controversy stems from a poll conducted by a … [Read more...] about Claims of Notre Dame Leprechaun Offensiveness is Media Malarkey.

Restore Irish American NYPD Olympian Martin Sheridan’s Medals

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In his obituary, the New York Times describes Martin Sheridan as "one of the greatest athletes the United States has ever known."  While his name may not be as readily recognized today, that assessment still holds true.  Sheridan was born in Bohola, County Mayo, Ireland in 1881, and would later emigrate to the United States.    A giant for his time standing at 6' 3", he was a member of a group known as the "Irish Whales," a group of Irish American Athletes who were also members of the New York City Police Department who dominated the track and field competitions of the … [Read more...] about Restore Irish American NYPD Olympian Martin Sheridan’s Medals

Catholic Calendar – August 2021

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Catholic Action The month of August falls entirely within the cycle of Ordinary Time. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, usually a holy day of obligation, falls upon a Sunday this year. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF MAY August 4John VianneyMemorialAugust 6Transfiguration of the LordFeastAugust 9Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)August 11ClareMemorialAugust 13Our Lady of KnockAugust 14Maximilian KolbeMemorialAugust 15Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MarySolemnityAugust 20BernardMemorialAugust 21Pius XMemorialAugust 24Bartholomew, ApostleFeastAugust … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – August 2021

Irish Road Bowling in Connecticut

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Irish Road Bowling returned to Connecticut for the first time in five years as Hartford Division 2 sponsored a tournament on Saturday, July 17. Over 30 teams and 120 participants took part in the 2021 Hartford Irish Road Bowling Tournament at Riverside Park in Hartford. The event raised money for the charities that Hartford AOH supports, particularly in the area of hunger. It was also a great day of camaraderie among AOH Brothers from across the state and others who took part in the event. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin was in attendance to throw out the “first bowl” and addressed … [Read more...] about Irish Road Bowling in Connecticut

The Chaplain’s Corner

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This past weekend, my parish was visited by a priest from Nigeria for our annual Mission Appeal. While this annual appeal is something every parish in the United States is expected to take part in each year, I have learned from experience that it can sometimes be difficult, whether due to the heavy accent of the speaker, the logistics involved with travel and housing, ensuring that nothing else is happening in the parish that weekend which would take attention away from appeal itself, and of course the fact that so often the person preaching the appeal is unaware of time constraints associate … [Read more...] about The Chaplain’s Corner

Britain Wants To Bury Hopes of Legacy Justice

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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.

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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.

2022 AOH Ireland Tour

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Working with Derry Blue Badge Tours we have once again put together a historical/political and educational tour of the North for 2022 to include participation in the 50th anniversary commemoration of Bloody Sunday. This trip is open to all AOH and LAOH members and guests. Availability is limited to first 50 paid travelers; reservations will only be held based on receipt of non-refundable deposits. Itinerary and costs below may be updated depending on availability and attendance. Total cost is $1400 double occupancy and includes all ground transportation while in the Ireland***, ten … [Read more...] about 2022 AOH Ireland Tour