The name Napper Tandy is one that rolls easily off the tongue; it has a certain ring to it. It is remembered by many for its use in the song, 'The Wearing Of The Green' where we sing: 'I met with Napper Tandy, and he took me by the hand, And he said 'How's poor old Ireland, and how does she stand, 'Tis the most distressful country for it's plainly to be seen, They are hanging men and women for the Wearing of the Green.' I dare say most know nothing further about the man behind this lyrical name. However, he was one of Ireland’s most dedicated patriots and he died on August 24, 1803, … [Read more...] about NAPPER TANDY
NAPPER TANDY
AOH Update – JULY
From the Desk of President McKay ... Brothers, I'm just returning from D.C. where Senator Billy Lawless and I met with representatives from our National Homeland Security Agency concerning the many undocumented Irish born currently living in the United States. As many of you may know that figure could be anywhere from 35-50 thousand people. Many of these Irish born have been in residence for many years and have become hard working members of our community paying taxes and raising families just like you and I. With the attitude of our new administration toward this issue these undocumented … [Read more...] about AOH Update – JULY
The Situation in Northern Ireland
Brothers: It has been my intention to apprise you of the political event in Northern Ireland for some time. Unfortunately, every time I have attempted to do so, what I had written was made obsolescent by new events. At least as I write, here is the current political situation. The devolved government of Northern Ireland is in collapse.There has been no devolved local government in Northern Ireland since the resignation of Martin McGuinness in January.The key reasons for his resignations were DUP First Minister Arlene Foster’s refusal to step down without prejudice to … [Read more...] about The Situation in Northern Ireland
Medal of Honor Grove Update
Brothers, A few years ago we attempted to raise funds through the Hibernian Charity to do an upgrade at the Medal of Honor Grove in Valley Forge. At that time we were quoted a price of between $24,000 and $30,000 by different contractors but unfortunately we only raised about $12,000 to date. After much discussion and soul searching the committee decided to go forward with the project using our contacts in the Trade Unions, volunteers from the local AOH in the Delaware Valley, and anyone else who would help. Myself and Mick Dunleavy who started this project contacted other people and we … [Read more...] about Medal of Honor Grove Update
CHARLES THOMSON
The name of Charles Thomson is not as familiar today as it was in the early days of America when it was widely known and respected. Born in County Derry, Thomson was one of the most influential men of the entire American Revolution. He served as Secretary of the Continental Congress for over 15 years (the entire life of that body) and was, in fact, the Chief Executive of the American Government several times between 1776 and 1789. During brief illnesses of the Congress Presidents and after John Hancock's resignation from the post in 1786, Thomson served as President, the highest office in the … [Read more...] about CHARLES THOMSON
AOH National Director and Immigration Chair Report – June 20, 2017
Upsetting news deJune 20, 2017veloped in recent days as John Cunningham, a 38-year-old Donegal man, who has been an outspoken Irish immigrant advocate, leading member of Boston’s GAA, civic and business community since 1999, is facing imminent deportation after being arrested by ICE agents. Apparently, he was apprehended with cause for overstaying a holiday visa waiver many years ago. Cunningham was interviewed for a documentary on Irish Undocumented, broadcast on RTE in March, in which he may have been identifiable. We are not sure if this contributed to his arrest, but these are cautious … [Read more...] about AOH National Director and Immigration Chair Report – June 20, 2017
CIVIL WAR COMES TO IRELAND IN JUNE
Sinn Féin won 73 out of the 105 Irish seats in Parliament in the post-war General Election in December, 1918. They refused to sit at Westminster and instead set up their own government called Dail Eireann on 21 January 1919. On that same day the War of Independence began. After almost three years of brutal warfare, with British atrocities on a civilian population that they felt supported the Dail, the British were beaten to the bargaining table and a treaty was signed. The treaty created the Irish Free State, a self-governing Dominion of the Empire; it was approved by the Dáil 64 to 57 on 7 … [Read more...] about CIVIL WAR COMES TO IRELAND IN JUNE
SAINT COLMCILLE
by Mike McCormack, AOH National Historian On 12 May, 563, Saint Colmcille established a monastery on the island of Iona. Thirty-four years later he died on 9 June 597, which is his universal feast day. In that short time, he exceeded the herculean task that he had set for himself of bringing 3,000 souls to Christ. The story of how and why this all came about is a remarkable one and one that is fully explained in the Major Degrees of our Order. However, without revealing the lesson imparted in that major event, we can entice those who have yet to take that final step toward full membership … [Read more...] about SAINT COLMCILLE
Irish American Heritage Month: Patrick Gallagher, USMC
Patrick Gallagher was born in Derrintogher, County Mayo Ireland on February 2, 1944. At the age of eighteen, as so many you Irish men and women before him, Patrick immigrated to the United States and the promise of a new life filled with opportunity. He quickly started on the immigrant dream: studying law while working in real estate; even getting involved in local politics as a campaign worker for Senator Robert Kennedy. In 1966, Patrick was drafted for service in Viet Nam. Despite pleas from a heart sick sister living in the states to avoid the horrors of war by simply returning to … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: Patrick Gallagher, USMC
Political Education: With Britain’s Invocation of Article 50, AOH Renews Calls for Special Envoy to Northern Ireland
Today, the British Government of Prime Minister Theresa May invoked Article 50 and began the process of the United Kingdom severing its relationship with the European Union, which includes among its members the Republic of Ireland. The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) is extremely concerned for the implications this action will have for the people of the island of Ireland and repeats its call for the appointment of a U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland. Ms. May’s decision to trigger Brexit against the backdrop of the current political crisis in Northern Ireland where recent elections … [Read more...] about Political Education: With Britain’s Invocation of Article 50, AOH Renews Calls for Special Envoy to Northern Ireland
A TALE OF TWO O’HARES
Here are two stories and both are absolutely true – and worth reading! The first began on 5 September 1893 when a son was born in St. Louis, MO to Irish-American parents Patrick Joseph and Cecilia Malloy O'Hare. Then named him Edward and he grew up to be a successful lawyer. He married Selma Louth who gave him three children: Edward (1914), Patricia (1919) and Marilyn (1924). In 1927, Edward moved to Chicago in hope of finding a better life. At the time, Al Capone virtually owned the city and was involved in everything from bootleg booze to prostitution. Capone needed a good lawyer and Eddie … [Read more...] about A TALE OF TWO O’HARES
Statement on the Passing of Martin McGuinness
The Ancient Order of Hibernians mourn the passing of former Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness. Per AOH National President Judge James McKay “It is with deep sadness that the Ancient Order of Hibernians learned of the passing of Martin McGuinness. If the measure of a man is how much he has grown in his life; then it must be acknowledged that Martin McGuinness became a giant in his all too brief 66 years on this earth. In his youth, Martin McGuinness was filled with the passion of youth to fight injustice, injustice he witnessed personally as he saw peaceful … [Read more...] about Statement on the Passing of Martin McGuinness
Irish American Heritage Month: The Fighting Sullivan Brothers
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 were … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: The Fighting Sullivan Brothers
Irish American Heritage Month: Colonel Eileen Collins, A Descendent of Immigrants Who Attained the Stars
On July 30th, 1999, 30 years and two days after the first successful moonwalk, Irish American Colonel Eileen Marie Collins became the first woman to command a U.S. spacecraft. Eileen Collins was one of four children born to a family that traced their heritage to immigrants from County Cork who had settled in Elmira New York. At an early age Eileen expressed an interest in flying, the skies around her home a frequent home to sailplanes and Elmira was home to the National Soaring Museum. Her father would often take her to the local airport to watch aircraft take off and … [Read more...] about Irish American Heritage Month: Colonel Eileen Collins, A Descendent of Immigrants Who Attained the Stars
Irish American Heritage Month: Ther 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: Ther Angel of Andersonville
President Declares 2017 Irish American Heritage Month
President Donald J. Trump Proclaims March 2017 as Irish-American Heritage Month IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2017 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Irish Americans have made an indelible mark on the United States. From Dublin, California, to Limerick, Maine, from Emerald Isle, North Carolina, to Shamrock, Texas, we are reminded of the more than 35 million Americans of Irish descent who contribute every day to all facets of life in the United States. Over generations, millions of Irish have crossed the ocean in search of the American Dream, … [Read more...] about President Declares 2017 Irish American Heritage Month
Mary MacSwiney
On March 27, 1872, Mary MacSwiney (Maire Nic Shuibhne) was born in Surrey, England, of an Irish father and an English mother. She grew up in Cork beset by illness which culminated with the loss of an infected foot. Educated as a teacher, by 1900 she was teaching in a convent school. Her mother's death in 1904 led to her return to Cork to head the household and secure a teaching post back at St Angela's. The MacSwiney household was intensely separatist. They read Arthur Griffith newspaper, although they rejected his dual monarchy policy. She refused to join Griffith's Sinn Féin because she … [Read more...] about Mary MacSwiney
Irish American Heritage Month: The Irish Contribution to America's Independance
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 Independance
AOH Update – February
From the Desk of President McKay Brothers, The green season is upon us and we need every Hibernian to put our best foot forward. This is the time everyone celebrates their Irish Catholic Heritage just a little bit more than they do the rest of the year. This is why we are asking each and every Hibernian to recruit at least one new members by your April division meeting. Your recruit may be a family member, a friend, or someone you meet at the many St. Patrick Day Celebrations. Your job is to convey to your recruit the importance of celebrating our Irish heritage 365 days of the year. We need … [Read more...] about AOH Update – February
THE BOB AND MOLLIE MONTEITH STORY (part I)
Robert ‘Bob’ Monteith was the third son of four with five sisters born March 1, 1879 in Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow to Joseph (Cavan) and Mary Dillon (Wicklow) Monteith. He was baptized in the Episcopal Church in the diocese of Glendalough. At 16, he joined the British army claiming to be 18. After seeing action in India and Africa, he was honorably discharged on 21 March 1903. Back in Ireland, he secured a job in the Civil Service at an Ordinance Depot in Dundalk, Co. Louth. On weekends would cycle to Dublin to see his parents and siblings. One weekend, they took in a theater … [Read more...] about THE BOB AND MOLLIE MONTEITH STORY (part I)