The Ancient Order of Hibernians welcomes news of the trip to Ireland by the United States Special Envoy Mick Mulvaney and his comment to RTE Television that the United States would "protect and defend" the Good Friday Agreement. However, the Hibernians are disappointed that there seems to be a continued reluctance by the administration to make a clear, concise, and unambiguous statement that preserving the Good Friday Agreement by precluding the return of a British border in Ireland is a U.S. priority and necessary precondition to future U.S./U.K. agreements. The Hibernians believe that … [Read more...] about AOH Calls on Administration to Support Good Friday Agreement and Irish Protocol
AOH Calls on Administration to Support Good Friday Agreement and Irish Protocol
Hartford Division #2 Hold Monthly Food Drives
Brothers Michael Enright, Tom Breen, Dennis Brown, Jim Mulcahy, Kevin Morton and John Gallivan at AOH Division 2’s September Food/School Supply Drive. Hartford AOH Division 2 had a busy end of summer and beginning of fall. The Division continues to have monthly food drives to benefit the Food Pantry at Saint Augustine Church in Hartford and also collected school supplies in August and September. The Division plans to work with Saint Augustine to help others for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The Division has held monthly meetings – both in-person practicing social distancing … [Read more...] about Hartford Division #2 Hold Monthly Food Drives
Commodore Barry Day 2020
Commodore John Barry, 1801 Portrait by Gilbert Stuart 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 of which extends far beyond the man himself. 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 2020
175th Anniversary of the Beginning of the Great Hunger
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
Labor Day Message From the Desk of the President
Brother Hibernians, As we begin our Labor Day around the US, it’s proper for us to reflect upon the Irish American and the AOH influence on labor in the US. The Father of Labor Day, Peter J McGuire, parents were Irish Immigrants. The list of great Irish American labor leaders is a long one and includes many Hibernians. Michael McGovern, the Puddler Poet was one such Hibernian. McGovern who was born in the townland of Castlefield Galway was an IRB man who ended up in Youngstown Ohio. McGovern role in the IRB forced him to leave his home, first fleeing to England and on to the US. His travels … [Read more...] about Labor Day Message From the Desk of the President
Catholic Calendar – September 2020
The month of September is still part of Ordinary Time, with green being the liturgical vestment color. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF AUGUST September 3Gregory the Great, Pope and DoctorMemorialSeptember 14Exaltation of the Holy CrossFeastSeptember 16Cornelius, Pope and Martyr; Cyprian, Bishop and MartyrMemorialSeptember 21Matthew, Apostle and EvangelistFeastSeptember 23Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)MemorialSeptember 29Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, ArchangelsFeastSeptember 30Jerome, Priest and DoctorMemorial IRISH SAINTS OF SEPTEMBER September 1 Fiacre (d.c. 670) Fiacre was an … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – September 2020
The Big Irish American Campfire
The AOH was proud to be a sponsor of The Big Irish Echo Campfire - A Virtual Forum Across America on Friday August 28th 2020 as Irish America Comes Together to Survive the Pandemic and To Emerge Stronger and Better (while ensuring the bridge to Ireland remains open). Immediate Past-President Judge James McKay III took part in the panel for the session: In This Together: Irish American Societies and Networks Leading the Coronavirus Fightback. Watch more videos from the Campfire at: http://www.irishecho.com/campfire … [Read more...] about The Big Irish American Campfire
A Letter to Irish America
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
Our Lady of Knock
As I write this on this eve of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known affectionately in the English speaking world as Our Lady’s Day in August, and just a week from the Feast of Our Lady of Knock on August 21, our attention as Catholics of Irish descent naturally turns toward our Blessed Mother and her role in this history of our salvation. I first visited Knock in April of 2013 with my cousin Christine. We were in Ireland for the first time and used a bed and breakfast in Knock as our base of operations while combing the countryside doing family … [Read more...] about Our Lady of Knock
AOH Statement on the Passing of Nobel Laureate John Hume
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
Catholic Calendar – August 2020
The month of August falls entirely within the cycle of Ordinary Time. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, is a holy day of obligation. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF AUGUST August 1Alphonsus LigouriMemorialAugust 4John VianneyMemorialAugust 6Transfiguration of the LordFeastAugust 8DominicMemorialAugust 11ClareMemorialAugust 13Our Lady of KnockAugust 14Maximilian KolbeMemorialAugust 15Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MarySolemnityAugust 20BernardMemorialAugust 21Pius XMemorialAugust 24Bartholomew, ApostleFeastAugust 27MonicaMemorialAugust 28AugustineMemorial IRISH … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – August 2020
The Gavel is Passed
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
Statement on the Passing of Congressman John Lewis
The sons of Martin McGuinness meeting with Congressman John Lewis as he endorsed the McGuinness Principles which call for justice and civil rights in the north of Ireland. Shown are Peter Kissel (IAUC), Fiachra McGuinness, Congressman John Lewis, Emmett McGuinness, Marty Glennon (Brehons), AOH National Treasurer Sean Pender It is with deep sadness that we learn of the passing of Congressman John Lewis, a man dedicated to improving the lives of others and who realize that the fight for Civil Rights transcends peoples and borders. The Congressman was an early signer of the McGuinness … [Read more...] about Statement on the Passing of Congressman John Lewis
Deafening Media Silence in Reporting of Wave of Catholic Church Attacks
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
Catholic Calendar – July 2020
The month of July is comprised of Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar, the vestments being green. The calendar includes two saints of the Americas, Junipero Serra and Kateri Tekakwitha. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF JULY July 1Junipero SerraJuly 3Thomas, ApostleFeastJuly 6Maria Goretti, Virgin and MartyrJuly 11Benedict, AbbotMemorialJuly 14Kateri TekakwithaMemorialJuly 15Bonaventure, Bishop and DoctorMemorialJuly 16Our Lady of Mount CarmelJuly 22Mary MagdaleneFeastJuly 25James, ApostleFeastJuly 26Joachim and Ann, Parents of MaryMemorialJuly 29MarthaMemorialJuly 31Ignatius of … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – July 2020
ROBERT EMMET
The United Irishmen were a group of Catholics and Protestants united for Irish independence who rose in 1798. The English put down the rising with extreme brutality instituting a ‘campaign of frightfulness’, as Seamus MacManus called it, ‘to break the spirit of the Irish that they should never dare to dream of liberty again.’ They even banned the color green which was the symbol of the union of Protestant Orange and Catholic Blue. In retaliation, one young man contacted leaders still at large and planned another rising. He entered an alliance with Napoleon’s minister Talleyrand and planned to … [Read more...] about ROBERT EMMET
Honoring a Hibernian Chaplain with a Drive-By Car Parade!
from Bill Sullivan AOH National Director ... A celebration to honor the Rt. Rev. John Delaney V.F, on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood in late May had been in the planning stages for months by his friends, the parishioners of Sacred Hearts Parish in Bradford, MA and the parishioners of Saint Patrick Parish in Groveland, MA. Father Delaney also serves as Chaplain to Division 8 AOH and LAOH in Lawrence, Massachusetts, as well as, to a host of other organizations in the Merrimack Valley area of Massachusetts. However, his year with the Covid 19 … [Read more...] about Honoring a Hibernian Chaplain with a Drive-By Car Parade!
Amazon’s “Irish Livers Matter” Merchandise; Twice the Defamation At One Low Price
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
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
Corpus Christi in Iowa
from National Director John Wilson … June 14, 2020 was the feast of Corpus Christi; members of Dubuque AOH Div. 1 were called upon to carry the canopy under where Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament was carried. It was a joyous day for the members and their families to be able to celebrate Corpus Christi in Dyersville. This was another great opportunity for the AOH to be visible in the community and stay true to their history and roots. The procession was held after the 10:30 am Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis in Dyersville and conclude with Benediction at the Basilica The Mass and … [Read more...] about Corpus Christi in Iowa