The Ancient Order of Hibernians

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

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AOH Hunger Project April 2020

AOH Hunger Project April 2020

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from National Director John Wilson ... What can your Division do during quarantine to help others in your community? Donate to food pantries, or if you'd prefer to donate to your local food bank, give them a quick call first or check their website to see if it's better to donate money or supplies to the organization. It's a good idea to ask if there's anything specific they need, like toilet paper or cleaning supplies, that they may need right now. Also consider donating to Meals on Wheels, which delivers both hot and frozen meals to seniors across the country. There are nearly 22 … [Read more...] about AOH Hunger Project April 2020

Mass and the Rosary Broadcasts

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from National Director Ed Halligan ... These days we are making sacrifices that we would not have imagined a couple of months ago. One of these sacrifices is not being able to attend Mass. Thankfully there is the Eternal Word Television Network. They broadcast Mass and the Rosary several times a day. One is the Rosary Novena from Lourdes, France. Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for us … [Read more...] about Mass and the Rosary Broadcasts

Irish Echo

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Brothers, As we are all aware, many businesses have been forced to suspend all, or part of their operations during the Covid-19 Pandemic. One of the businesses forced to do so is The Irish Echo. The Irish Echo has been a great friend to not only the Ancient Order of Hibernian’s, but they have been a great friend to the entire Irish American Community. For the next couple of months, The Irish Echo has been forced to suspend their print edition. However, The Irish Echo is still available every week by way of a digital edition. Please consider supporting The Irish Echo by becoming a subscriber … [Read more...] about Irish Echo

Call to Action: AOH Division Telephone Tree

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Brothers, We are calling on all divisions large and small to establish a telephone tree and utilize it immediately and throughout this Pandemic. Start at the top with your officers, divide your membership into reasonable call lists. Pull in your future leaders to assist. Establish weekly contact between all members. Hibernians call Hibernians. The purpose it to continue our fellowship and check on the health and welfare of our brothers. 1) Are you doing OK? 2) Is there anything you need help with? Groceries, etc. *arrange help if necessary. 3) Discuss Hibernian Success Stories, … [Read more...] about Call to Action: AOH Division Telephone Tree

From the desk of President McKay

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Greeting Brothers, I am addressing you from my home here in New Orleans. Home is where most of us have been isolated for the past three weeks. We know the global pandemic has weighed greatly on the minds of each and every one of us these past few weeks as our family, friends, and communities have struggled to cope with illness and the side effects of isolation, job loss, and anxiety. We were called to duty, as Catholics and civic-minded Americans, to provide needed leadership during the period of unknown. Hibernians across the country answered that call. We stood united with our Bishops, … [Read more...] about From the desk of President McKay

149 Years Strong! The Rev. James T. O’Reilly OSA Division 8 AOH, Lawrence, Massachusetts

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from National Director William Sullivan ... Irish Heritage Month 2020 kicked off on March 2nd, as it had for the past 40 plus years, with an Irish Flag raising on the North Common across from City Hall presided over by Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera. During the ceremonies Mayor Rivera presented Division 8 with a proclamation, declaring March as Irish Heritage Month in the City of Lawrence. The following Saturday night, March 7th, members of the Division, the Irish community, their families and friends, celebrated at the Division’s 149 Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Banquet and Dance. During the … [Read more...] about 149 Years Strong! The Rev. James T. O’Reilly OSA Division 8 AOH, Lawrence, Massachusetts

THE IRISH-SPANISH CONNECTION

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The term Iberian, as used by ancient authors, referred to the peninsula occupied by Spain and Portugal and may have come from the peninsula's second longest river called Iber by the Greeks. Hecataeus of Miletus, an early Greek geographer and world map-maker was the first known to use the term Iberia at about 500 BC. The term also refers to the all the inhabitants of the Iberian peninsula, regardless of ethnic differences (Pre-Indo-European and Celtic). By the 6th century, the Iberians living on the eastern and southern coasts of the Peninsula traded across the Mediterranean and absorbed … [Read more...] about THE IRISH-SPANISH CONNECTION

Charities and Missions Update – April 2020

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As we all do our best to stay healthy, pray for those brothers and sisters impacted by the Covid-19 virus, we are looking forward to our convention in July. The Charities and Missions report at the convention will focus on a summary of the good works of The Order, the timelines and requirements for submissions of local, county, and state reports. We will also highlight potential changes in regard to a common reporting template, hourly rates for volunteer time and who we can count in our submissions for volunteer time. I would also encourage anyone who has questions or suggestions regarding … [Read more...] about Charities and Missions Update – April 2020

Catholic Calendar – April 2020

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To All Hibernians: As so many dioceses around the country have curtailed or even stopped Masses open to the public, many Catholics may feel cut off or lost during this Lenten and Easter season. A wise priest made this observation: while we can be dispensed from the Church's precept directing obligatory Mass on Sunday, we are not dispensed from God's command (See: Moses, Third Commandment) to keep holy the Lord's Day. Any day of the week, there are online sources for the Mass, as well as Eucharistic adoration, Stations of the Cross, and other devotions. We also have the opportunity to … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – April 2020

FFAI BULLETIN – April 2020

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A chairde: FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A-Search continues for new Irish government coalition after Sinn Fein surprise in February election- Nearly two months after an election producing a three way split between, Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein and Fine Gael, the leader and composition of the new Irish government are still unknown. Sinn Féin gained 14 seats, and now holds 37,with Fianna Fail at 38,and Fine Gael at 35 seats. At least 80 seats are needed for a government majority and no party is close..The Dáil (Irish parliament)met on February 20th but no one had the votes to form a new government. Outgoing … [Read more...] about FFAI BULLETIN – April 2020

James Duane: The Irish American Who Rebuilt New York

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During the American Revolution,  New York was totally destroyed and was rebuilt by the son of an immigrant from Co. Galway, Ireland. He was the first post-colonial person to wear the title ‘Mayor of New York’ and his name was James Duane. He was born in New York, then called the Province of New York, to Irish immigrant parents on February 6, 1733; a time when the Central Park was considered ‘upstate’ and a wilderness.  He grew up with an interest in finance, real estate and the law and was called to the Bar in 1754.  He earned a reputation for being a bit of a maverick, taking … [Read more...] about James Duane: The Irish American Who Rebuilt New York

‘Sweats For Vets’ in Virginia

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The Col. Thomas J. Cunningham Jr. Division and the LAOH Daughters of Erin Division, both in Loudoun, participated once again in the 13th Annual “Sweats for Vets” program at the Martinsburg Veterans facility in WVA. In concert with the Knights of Columbus Assemblies and Councils of Northern Virginia and the VFW in Leesburg, the AOH/LAOH distributed over 625 new sweat outfits along with over a thousand pairs of socks and over $8,000 in cash donations to approximately 500 Veterans in residence. The VA AOH/LAOH was responsible for at least $2,000 in cash donations and 50 sweat outfits, … [Read more...] about ‘Sweats For Vets’ in Virginia

New Orleans – Sculptures dedicated at Hibernian Memorial Park

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A beautiful morning on January 17, saw the dedication by the Hibernian Celtic Cross Committee of a series of sculptures at the Hibernian Memorial Park in the West End of New Orleans. These sculptures were added to the already existing Celtic Cross Memorial. For more than 30 years the Celtic Cross has stood on the site of the New Basin Canal, between West End and Pontchartrain Boulevards, as a memorial to the Irish Laborers who dug the canal in the 1830s. Beginning at the lake, the New Basin Canal wound its way into the New Orleans, stopping at a turning basin near where the Mercedes-Benz … [Read more...] about New Orleans – Sculptures dedicated at Hibernian Memorial Park

Colorado – Carrigan Division serves Transitional Housing Women at the Samaritan House

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On the fourth Thursday of each month, brothers of the Fr. Joseph P. Carrigan Division serve the evening meal to 150 of the transitional women's homeless population in downtown Denver at Samaritan House. Scooping up the grub for the women are, from left, Brothers John Queen, Jim Chappell, Mike Sheridan, Dr. Mike Boyd and longtime Hibernian friend and diaconate candidate George Lenihan. … [Read more...] about Colorado – Carrigan Division serves Transitional Housing Women at the Samaritan House

Embrace Your Irish Heritage, Say It on The Census!

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Amidst the current healthcare crisis, we can not lose the importance of the United States Census to Irish America.  Results of the U.S. 2020 Census will influence individuals, communities, governments, for-profit entities, and nonprofit organizations throughout the next decade. Data obtained will inform decision-makers in all sectors and lead to the allocation of political power and financial resources.   For the first time in many years, the Census form will have a question on Ethnic Origins (question 9 for the Head of household, question 7 for remaining household members).  … [Read more...] about Embrace Your Irish Heritage, Say It on The Census!

AOH: U.K. Using COVID-19 To Cover Breaking Good Friday Commitments Reprehensible

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In a letter to newly appointed Northern Ireland Special Envoy Mick Mulvaney, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) call on Mr. Mulvaney to express opposition to Britain's intention not to investigate the majority of the 2,000 unsolved killings from the conflict known as "the Troubles" and to grant immunity from prosecution to members of Britain's Security Forces. The Hibernians question why these actions in contravention to the Good Friday Agreement are being pursued by Britain at a time when the world is focused on the COVID-19 Crisis.   " On March 18 th , Secretary of … [Read more...] about AOH: U.K. Using COVID-19 To Cover Breaking Good Friday Commitments Reprehensible

In order for us to be together, we must remain apart for now.

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We find ourselves in humbling times. These times are unlike anything we've seen in over a century. I find it admirable that those who choose to “self-quarantine” or “shelter in place” or practice “extreme social distancing” are doing so now. Many of which are blessed or uniquely skilled, with situations that allow them to practice such measures (my wife and I included.) We are thankful that our employers are being proactive, allowing for the flexibility. Soon, we believe it will be “mandatory” in a sense, to practice some sort of familial isolation, as fines for gathering are doled … [Read more...] about In order for us to be together, we must remain apart for now.

AOH-LAOH National Convention Update

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Brothers and Sisters, As we all deal with Covid-19, we must each do what is best for our families. We must also follow the directions of our local, state and national governments and health departments, and try to keep a semblance of normalcy in our daily lives. As cabin fever sets in, we are all looking forward to life beyond the virus. As Hibernians, we will continue to work on our National Convention at the Rosen Centre in Orlando Florida, July 22 – 25, 2020. Our hope is, we will have the opportunity to celebrate our faith and Irish heritage together again during the convention. Also, … [Read more...] about AOH-LAOH National Convention Update

The Irish Ferries That Turned The Tide At Trenton

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A number of Irishmen were key to Washington’s success in crossing the Delaware River to take Trenton.  Among them were two immigrants: Paddy Colvin and Sam McConkey, who ran two river ferries. In 1885, Rev A. Lambing wrote: when reading one of the Trenton papers, I saw the simple statement that the American forces under General Washington crossed the Delaware at Patrick Colvin's ferry into Pennsylvania. Struck by his name, which at once denoted his nationality, I resolved to know more about him.  He did, and he found that Patrick Colvin of Co. Cavan, Ireland bought a ferry and land … [Read more...] about The Irish Ferries That Turned The Tide At Trenton