Meeting at their National Convention, the Ancient Order of Hibernians passed a resolution calling for the commemoration of Ireland's 1919 Declaration of Independance WHEREAS on January 21, 1919, representatives of the Irish people, elected in the thirty-two-county election of 1918 and assembled in Dublin as a National Parliament, did adopt Ireland's Declaration of Independence and ratify the Irish Republic proclaimed on Easter Monday 1916; and WHEREAS that Declaration of Independence states that the Irish people have always had a right to national freedom and self-government; … [Read more...] about AOH Resolves to promote and honor the centenary of Ireland’s Declaration of Independence.
AOH Resolves to promote and honor the centenary of Ireland’s Declaration of Independence.
Suffolk County Board Honored By Tyrone AOH
At the Suffolk County Board meeting on July 18, 2018, Martin Galvin, NY State Freedom for All Ireland (FFAI) Chairman, delivered certificates which read: “From Tyrone A.O.H. to Suffolk County, NY in appreciation of Thomas J. Clarke – Kathleen Daly Clarke Monument, Manorville, NY”. The certificates were signed by Tyrone County President Gerry McGeough and were entrusted to Martin Galvin on a recent FFAI trip. Presenting the certificate: (above, left to right) Rich Cremmins (Thomas J. Clarke Division 8 Past President, Thomas J Clarke Memorial co-chair), Victor J Vogel (NY State President), … [Read more...] about Suffolk County Board Honored By Tyrone AOH
Ancient Order of Hibernians Pass Resolution Calling for the Immediate Appointment of a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland
Meeting at their National Convention and in the wake of recent violence in the North of Ireland, the Ancient Order of Hibernians passed a resolution calling for the immediate appointment of a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland as committed nearly a year ago by President Trump. WHEREAS the thirty-year conflict known as “The Troubles” was proportionately one of the deadliest in human history; and WHEREAS twenty years ago, the Good Friday Agreement was signed allowing a generation in Northern Ireland to grow up in peace and prosperity; and WHEREAS it has been noted by all … [Read more...] about Ancient Order of Hibernians Pass Resolution Calling for the Immediate Appointment of a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland
Hibernians Issue Resolution Calling for US Ambassador to Ireland
Meeting at their National Convention, the Ancient Order of Hibernians passed a resolution calling for the immediate appointment of a US Ambassador to Ireland. The position of US Ambassador to Ireland has been unfilled since January 2017. WHEREAS the relationship between America and Ireland predates the founding of the United States; and WHEREAS Ireland was one of the earliest supporters of American independence, causing General Washington to write after the revolution “Ireland, thou friend of my country in my country’s most friendless days, much injured, much enduring land, accept … [Read more...] about Hibernians Issue Resolution Calling for US Ambassador to Ireland
Louisville Convention Concluded – 2018 Election Results
The Louisville, KY AOH-LAOH 2018 Convention is now concluded. It was a great success, thanks to Co-chairs John and Julia O'Dwyer and their committee. Kudos! The convention re-elected all the incumbent officers, and Ed Halligan was elected to replace term-limited Tom O'Donnell (Thank You Tom). Rumor has it that site selection was a landslide in favor of Pittsburgh, PA in 2022. In the mean time, preparations are well under way for our next Convention - Orlando FL in 2020 More detail to follow ... John Wilson, Bill Sullivan, Denny Parks, Liam McNabb, Edward Halligan , Dan … [Read more...] about Louisville Convention Concluded – 2018 Election Results
Louisville’s Bloody Monday
In the mid 1800s, American Party (Know Nothings) were violently against Catholic immigrants and rioting took place in many Irish neighborhoods across the country. One of the most violent took place in Louisville, KY on 6 August 1855. It was election day and nativists were against allowing Catholics to vote. Irish and German immigrants, most of them Catholic, made up nearly a quarter of Louisville’s population of 43,000 at the time, but most native-born residents were Protestant and many were members of the American Party. George Prentice, editor of the Louisville Daily Journal newspaper, a … [Read more...] about Louisville’s Bloody Monday
THE BATTLE OF BENBURB
The 17th century dawned in Ireland during the 9 years war of the northern Chieftains against the Crown. By 1602 that conflict was over; Red Hugh O'Donnell had been poisoned, the Irish had capitulated, and Queen Elizabeth was dead. Against the treachery that threatened their heirs and families, the noblest Chieftains of the north The O'Neill, the O'Donnell, and the Maguire left Ireland forever in what became known as the Flight of the Earls. The Irish were leaderless, the Clan system had been broken, the great Gaelic Houses destroyed, and a foreign power had been established … [Read more...] about THE BATTLE OF BENBURB
In Light of Prime Minister May’s Lack of Confidence in Northern Ireland Wishing to Remain in the UK, Hibernians Call for Referendum
In an open letter to the Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) asked for their support in calling for the British Government to honor its commitment to hold a referendum on the North of Ireland forming a part of a united Ireland in light of statements made by Prime Minister May indicating that the criteria for such a referendum have been met. The Letter by National Political Education Chair Neil Cosgrove states: “The U.S. brokered Good Friday Agreement (GFA) ended the thirty-year conflict known as “the Troubles” and has brought twenty … [Read more...] about In Light of Prime Minister May’s Lack of Confidence in Northern Ireland Wishing to Remain in the UK, Hibernians Call for Referendum
Statement from AOH Catholic Action Chair on the Forced Resignation of House Chaplain Fr. Patrick Conroy, S.J.
The tenth chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew underscores the cost and requirements of proclaiming Jesus’s message to the Church. “One’s enemies will be those of his own household,” is the stark reality Christ presents those of us who would preach that gospel message. Those passages have become prescient in light of the recent forced resignation of House Chaplain, Fr. Patrick Conroy, S.J., by House Speaker and self-proclaimed devout Catholic, Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. Only twice in its history has the House of Representatives employed Roman Catholics as chaplains, and Fr. Conroy is the first … [Read more...] about Statement from AOH Catholic Action Chair on the Forced Resignation of House Chaplain Fr. Patrick Conroy, S.J.
THE BLACK IRISH
Dubh (Doov) in the Irish language means dark or black and is used to describe someone by the color of their hair as in Roisin Dubh (Dark Rosaleen) or Hugh Dubh O'Neill (Black Hugh O’Neill), an Irish patriot of the 17th century best remembered for his defense of Clonmel in 1650. He was also nephew of Owen Ruadh O’Neill (Owen the Red O’Neill) whose red hair was a distinguishing characteristic. Some believe that survivors of the Spanish Armada who landed in Ireland were the ancestors of Ireland’s black-haired population, but that’s not true; black hair and brown eyes were attributes of the … [Read more...] about THE BLACK IRISH
Recent Recipient Visits AOH Monument at the Medal of Honor Grove
Medal of Honor Recipient Jim McCloughan and his wife Cherie recently visited the AOH Monument at the Medal of Honor Grove in Valley Forge Pennsylvania. Jim was recently awarded the Medal of Honor for distinguished actions as a combat medic assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, during the Vietnam War near Don Que, Vietnam, from May 13-15, 1969. The Medal of Honor Grove commemorates those who have earned our Nation's highest award for valor. A section of the 52-acre grove is designated for each of the … [Read more...] about Recent Recipient Visits AOH Monument at the Medal of Honor Grove
National President McKay speaks out on Good Friday Agreement at 20
On March 22, 2018, and a month before the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, out Worthy President Judge James McKay testified before the Helsinki Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. The Commission, at the behest of Co-Chair Chris Smith of New Jersey, was holding a hearing, “The Good Friday Agreement at 20: achievements and unfinished business,” to review the status of the implementation of what panel member Congressman Brendan Boyle described as the “unquestioned gold standard in terms of peace agreements.” However, both Congressman Smith and Boyle both expressed … [Read more...] about National President McKay speaks out on Good Friday Agreement at 20
The Bold Beauties from Bodyke
The O’Halloran sisters, Annie, Honoria and Sarah, lived with their parents and brothers, Patrick and Frank, in Bodyke, Co. Clare as tenants of the notorious Col. John O’Callaghan. Michael Davitt’s Land League forced the Irish Land Act of 1881 to allowed tenants to appeal for Court adjudicated rent reductions and, in some cases, eventual ownership. O’Callaghan charged the O’Hallorans £31 which the court ordered be reduced to £22-10s – a sum the family maintained was still unfair, since before he had raised it the rent had been £13-10s. The O’Hallorans joined in Bodyke rent boycotts and in June … [Read more...] about The Bold Beauties from Bodyke
Irish American Heritage Month: The Irish Contribution to America’s Independence
DID YOU KNOW that when America was born, the Irish were there? The Irish, both Protestant, and Catholic, were a major part of Washington’s volunteers from foot soldiers to high ranking officers. When increased Crown exploitation drove the colonists to protest, among the loudest were the Irish who had no great love for the Crown, to begin with. And there were many Irish in America’s colonies. Among them were those who fought the English theft of their Irish lands and ended up hunted men; they were followed by those Catholics and Presbyterians who fled persecution by the Church of England. Some … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: The Irish Contribution to America’s Independence
An Irish American Angel in America’s West
There were many Irish women among the settlers of the American West, and one of the best known in her time was a lady from County Cork named Ellen Cashman. Ellen came to America, like so many others, fleeing the effects of the Great Hunger. She arrived in Boston in 1850 with her mother, Fanny, at the tender age of five where she grew up caring for a younger sister. An ambitious young lady, she worked as a bellhop in a well-known Boston hotel when she decided to follow the call of the American West with the idea of making her fortune. She moved to San Francisco and soon found … [Read more...] about An Irish American Angel in America’s West
AOH President testifies about Good Friday Agreement
https://vimeo.com/261864814 Hon. James F. McKay III, President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, testifies at a Helsinki Commission hearing entitled "The Good Friday Agreement at 20," chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe … [Read more...] about AOH President testifies about Good Friday Agreement
James Duane, The Irish American Who Rebuilt New York
Did you know that the island of Manhattan in New York was once totally destroyed and was rebuilt by the son of an immigrant from Co. Galway, Ireland? He was one of the first Irish-Americans to wear that title and his name was James Duane. He was born in New York to Irish immigrant parents in 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 on law cases that no one else would … [Read more...] about James Duane, The Irish American Who Rebuilt New York
Irish American Heritage Month: The Angel of Andersonville
Did you know that an Irish Catholic Priest Rev. Thomas O’Reilly threatened General Sherman with a mutiny by the Irish Catholics in his army if he torched the church district of Atlanta at the start of his infamous march to the sea and that General Sherman backed down and the entire church district was saved, including the City Hall which stood therein? However, Rev. Peter Whelan was just as courageous in another way. Rev. Whelan distinguished himself as a chaplain for the Montgomery Guards, an Irish company established in Savannah for the First Georgia Volunteer Regiment named for America’s … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: The Angel of Andersonville
Timothy Murphy, the Irish American Who Turned the Tide at Saratoga
Did you know that an Irish America soldier was responsible for turning the tide of the most important battle of the American Revolution? His name was Timothy Murphy and he had served with distinction on the frontier, was part of General William Thompson’s Pennsylvania Rifle Battalion which became the First Continental Regiment and he served with famed General Daniel Morgan as a sharpshooter. He was considered the most famous marksman of his day. Timothy Murphy was born in 1751 near the Delaware Water Gap to Thomas and Mary (Lundy) Murphy, recent immigrants from Co. Donegal, Ireland. When … [Read more...] about Timothy Murphy, the Irish American Who Turned the Tide at Saratoga
Irish American Heritage Month: The Sullivan Brothers, “We stick together”
DID YOU KNOW that in the annals of America's heroes, there is scarcely a brighter entry than that of the fighting Sullivan brothers? Born in Waterloo, Iowa to Railroad conductor Tom Sullivan and his wife Alleta, George, Francis, Albert, Joseph, and Madison grew up the best of friends in the closeness of an Irish family and matured into patriotic Americans. It was no surprise therefore, that when Pearl Harbor was attacked, the Sullivan brothers headed straight for the nearest U.S. Navy recruiting office. Navy policy discouraged family members from serving together, but the Sullivans … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: The Sullivan Brothers, “We stick together”