The Ancient Order of Hibernians

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

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Michael Dougherty Division of Bucks County, PA

Call to Action: Have Your Elected Representatives Commit to Preserving the Good Friday Agreement Against the Risks of Brexit.

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Brothers: We are less than 90 days out from a climatic point in the history of the world which will remake the map of Europe and have dramatic consequences for our brothers and sister in Ireland: Brexit. The current Brexit deadline is October 31st, and newly elected Prime Minister Johnson has threatened that unless the European Union accedes to Britain’s demands they will leave without a deal, “a hard Brexit.” The economic disruption of a “hard Brexit” will touch every corner of the world, including the United States, and nowhere will the impact be more keenly felt than Ireland where … [Read more...] about Call to Action: Have Your Elected Representatives Commit to Preserving the Good Friday Agreement Against the Risks of Brexit.

Minority Leader Schumer Responds to Hibernian Request To Make GFA U.K. Trade Deal Precondition

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In response to a request made by the Ancient Order of Hibernians to members of Congress and the Senate to register their support for the Good Friday Agreement and their concern for the damage that a hard Brexit could pose to two decades of peace in Ireland, Senator Minority Leader Charles Schumer has written Secretary of State Pompeo and British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stating “He will vigorously and vociferously oppose any potential U.S.-U.K. trade deal that undermines the Good Friday Agreement or a return to a hard border.” Senator Schumer’s letter is available below. The … [Read more...] about Minority Leader Schumer Responds to Hibernian Request To Make GFA U.K. Trade Deal Precondition

AOH Responds to Senator Tom Cotton and Colleagues Pledge of “Unwavering Support” for Brexit; Reminds of Good Friday Commitments.

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In response to a letter written by Senator Cotton to Prime Minister Boris Johnson  and signed by 44 members of the Senate  pledging “unwavering support” to Britain irrespective of the course Brexit takes, National President McKay  and Politcal Education Chairman Neil Cosgrove  have written to Senator Cotten to express their concern that the Senator's letter fails to address the challenges that Brexit and a potential hard border posed to the Irish People. Dear Senator Cotton: We write to you as the National President and Political Education Chairman of the … [Read more...] about AOH Responds to Senator Tom Cotton and Colleagues Pledge of “Unwavering Support” for Brexit; Reminds of Good Friday Commitments.

Johnson’s Election Signals Brexit Climax Is Near

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from Neil Cosgrove, National P.E.C. Chairman ... Brothers; the election of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister signals that we are nearing the climax of the Brexit saga. Mr. Johnson has made clear that he intends to take the United Kingdom out of the E.U. by October 31st even if it means a hard Brexit of leaving the E.U. without a deal. The key issue is the “Irish Backstop” which would mean that the U.K. would maintain regulatory alignment with the E.U. until another means was found to maintain the currently notional border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Mr. Johnson and fellow … [Read more...] about Johnson’s Election Signals Brexit Climax Is Near

The AOH National Board recognizes the accomplishments of Brother Bill Halpin, Virginia State President 2017 – 2019

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President Halpin selected “Commit to the Future” as the Virginia state slogan for the 2017-2019 term. This phrase is easy to remember, and he believed it would inspire some of the Hibernian Zeal we pledge to maintain while preserving our traditions and beliefs. His goals were simple: Assure the long-term welfare of AOH in Virginia by retaining current bothers and focusing recruitment on men who can carry us forward. On retention, President Halpin echoed (former) National Rituals & Degrees Chairman J.J. Kelly’s view that Hibernians who receive our Order’s Major Degrees are statistically … [Read more...] about The AOH National Board recognizes the accomplishments of Brother Bill Halpin, Virginia State President 2017 – 2019

GROSSE ILE REMEMBERED

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Ten years ago, on the 15th of August, 2009, members of the AOH gathered on Grosse Ile in the St. Lawrence River just off Quebec to commemorate a centennial. The American AOHs of U.S. and Canada had erected a 50-foot Celtic Cross in sensitive recognition of the thousands of Irish who sleep there in mass graves after fleeing the Great Hunger in Ireland. It was dedicated on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1909 and here we were again, 100 years later, with the late Marianna Gallagher – grand-daughter of the AOH committee chairman who erected the cross – to commemorate the Centennial … [Read more...] about GROSSE ILE REMEMBERED

Catholic Calendar – August 2019

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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 1 Alphonsus Ligouri Memorial August 6 Transfiguration of the Lord Feast August 8 Dominic Memorial August 9 Teresa Benedicta of the Cross August 13 Our Lady of Knock August 14 Maximilian Kolbe Memorial August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Solemnity August 20 Bernard Memorial August 21 Pius X Memorial August 24 Bartholomew, Apostle … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – August 2019

Dollars for Scholars!

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from Bill Sullivan, National Director ... As we all know the cost of a college education today can be very expensive. Realizing that many of their members had children of college age, President Charlie Sinclair of the Major John “Mike” Tivnan USMC Division 18 AOH in Salem, Massachusetts along with the Division Officers and members came up with the idea of an activity to raise funds for college scholarships for members children and grandchildren, while at the same time providing an enjoyable activity for its members their families and friends – a golf tournament! The first golf tournament … [Read more...] about Dollars for Scholars!

AUGUST FFAI 2019 BULLETIN

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from Martin Galvin,Esq., National FFAI Chairman ... A chairde: FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A -Boris Johnson threatens Ireland and European Union with "no deal Brexit" unless new deal concessions- After becoming British Prime Minister without any general election, popular mandate or Westminster majority , Boris Johnson began by threatening a no deal Brexit disaster on October 31st, unless the EU renegotiates the Withdrawal Agreement to his liking. He is gambling that the EU will bow to threats and offer major concessions to stop Britain from crashing out of Europe and forcing a hard border across … [Read more...] about AUGUST FFAI 2019 BULLETIN

First Cousins Become 3rd Generation Hibernians in a Division named after their Grandad

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from Dan Dennehy, National Director ... I was honored to participate in the Annual New York County Francis P. Beirne Division 9 Golf Outing was held in Van Cortlandt Golf Club, the oldest public course in America in late June. The Francis P Beirne / Frank McGreal Memorial Golf Outing remembers two late great Officers of the Division and is a family affair for the Beirne and McGreal families along with many friends. The Division is named for the former Chairman of the New York St Patricks Parade. This year, the golf attendees were introduced to three of its newest members, all … [Read more...] about First Cousins Become 3rd Generation Hibernians in a Division named after their Grandad

Rituals and Degrees Report

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from Jack Schneider, Ritual & Degrees Chairman Major Degree Ceremonies were held at two State Conventions in the Northeast during the month of July with a total of forty-seven candidates receiving their Major Degree. Congratulations are extended to all newly Degreed Brothers and welcome to the Inner Chamber of Hibernian Brotherhood! Seventeen candidates were brought into the ranks of full Brotherhood within the Order at the Major Degree held at the New York State Convention in Albany, NY on Sat. July 13. This Degree was exemplified by the Schenectady NY Major Degree Team. The newly … [Read more...] about Rituals and Degrees Report

KEY CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR LEGACY JUSTICE

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Six Members of Congress joined in a bipartisan letter to Deputy British Ambassador Michael Tatum, citing concerns about state force amnesty in legacy killings and Britain's failure to implement agreed legacy mechanisms. The bipartisan Congressional initiative, joined by Representatives Peter King, Eliot Engel, Chris Smith, Brian Fitzpatrick, Nita Lowey and Brendan Boyle, came as Boris Johnson was named Conservative Party leader and presumptive Prime Minister. The initiative also follows a recent AOH sponsored tour by Mark Thompson of Relatives For Justice and Edge Hill University Professor … [Read more...] about KEY CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR LEGACY JUSTICE

Irish Culture is alive and well in West Virginia!

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from Dennis Parks, National Liaison... The largest Irish Road Bowling tournament in the World will take place on September 21st, 2019 in Wheeling, West Virginia. The event is sponsored and ran by the brothers of the AOH Bishop Whelan Division in Wheeling. Division President Tom Connelly and the brothers of the Bishop Whelan Division invite any and all to participate. For more information go to: https://aohwheeling.shutterfly.com/. … [Read more...] about Irish Culture is alive and well in West Virginia!

On the Third Anniversary of Brexit, Britain is Still Looking for its Cake

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Note that is an Op Ed that appeared in the July 10, 2019 edition of the Irish Echo. On June 23rd, the Brexit Referendum, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU), celebrated its third anniversary.  To put that in perspective, that was two English Prime Ministers and two Brexit deadline extensions ago.  In this period, the British Conservative party suffered a shocking defeat at the polls and, despite concerns over the impact Brexit  could have on the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) peace process entered into a “Confidence and Supply Agreement” with … [Read more...] about On the Third Anniversary of Brexit, Britain is Still Looking for its Cake

DC Divisions Mix Baseball and Heritage

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from John Patrick Walsh, National Liaison... As summer heats up most of the DC divisions take a small break from official business and instead focus on fellowship. Baseball presents a wonderful occasion for Hibernian families to gather and enjoy the national pastime in our nation’s capital. Some divisions even use the opportunity to promote Irish culture amongst the Tri-State’s baseball fandom. PND Keith Carney and Commodore John Barry Division 1 have spearheaded “Irish Night @ Nats Park” in conjunction with the Washington Nationals for the past few years. Originally conceived as a … [Read more...] about DC Divisions Mix Baseball and Heritage

Irish Thunder of AOH Division #1 in Montgomery County performs at the Fourth of July Parade in Oreland, PA.

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from Ed Halligan, National Director ... It’s great to have a Pipe Band. It brings great attention to Notre Dame Division #1. Division 1 uses local newspapers and social media to show their events and charitable endeavors. This also has just as big an impact on their recruitment. They are the largest Division in Montgomery County and one of the top Divsiions in Pennsylvania District One. … [Read more...] about Irish Thunder of AOH Division #1 in Montgomery County performs at the Fourth of July Parade in Oreland, PA.

INDEPENDENCE DAY – 2019

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Click for Large Hi-Res Image of the Full Declaration...As we celebrate our Nation’s Independence, we as Irish Americans should take special pride in the day. Nine of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Irish descent, including the only non-Protestant, Charles Carroll. The Secretary of the Continental Congress was from Derry, the first printing was done by a printer from Tyrone, and it was read in public for the first time by the son of an immigrant from Wexford. At a minimum, 25% (some estimates go as high as 40%) of Washington’s Army was Irish including a large number of … [Read more...] about INDEPENDENCE DAY – 2019

Catholic Action Update for July

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from John D. Fitzmorris III, Ph.D., National Catholic Action Chairman ... As Chair of Catholic Action, I have been careful not to stray too far into the realm of the great work Project St. Patrick has been doing on behalf of all current seminarians, but I want to bring to light the current numbers on our priests from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. The statistics are comprehensive, and I shall go over only a few of them; but they are currently not very good. Back in 1970, there were 59,192 total priests in the United States. There are currently 36,580, which means … [Read more...] about Catholic Action Update for July