The Ancient Order of Hibernians

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

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AOH Protests Spencer's

AOH Protests Spencer's

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by Neil Cosgrove   New York News | NYC Breaking News I regret to say that once again our proud and noble heritage is under attack by the forces of ignorance, prejudice and corporations that will peddle anything for a dollar.  Once again Spencer’s, Urban Outfitters and Wal-Mart are selling shirts and novelties that seem to have sprung from the 19th Century pen of bigoted nativist cartoonist Thomas Nast.  Among some of the items on offer this year: A hat with “Irish Girl Wasted”  (Spencer’s) A green shamrock emblazoned shirt with “Everyone Loves a Drunk Slut” (Spencer’s) A shirt with … [Read more...] about AOH Protests Spencer's

Irish Way Study Abroad Program

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Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! The AOH National Board offers several scholarship opportunities for the children and grandchildren of its members. We ask that you please share this information on our scholarship  programs with your membership at your next meeting or in your next newsletter or communication.  Please also feel free to make copies of this letter and distribute it to your membership. Many thanks in advance for your assistance and cooperation with this request and endeavor.  If you are no longer President, please pass this letter onto your successor. The Irish Way High School … [Read more...] about Irish Way Study Abroad Program

AOH Immigration Reform

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On Sunday, March 3, 2013 Bronx County Division 5 Woodlawn,  honored Retired Judge John P. Collins, Bronx Division 3 President Bob Nolan and my wife, Siobhan Dennehy, AOH JFK Medal awardee & Executive Director Emerald Isle Immigration Center. Division 5, a newly reorganized Division has a long history of leadership on Immigration reform and leadership. Along with his fellow honorees  Judge Collins spoke to a capacity audience of clergy leaders, NYC elected officials, United Irish County Assn and AOH and LAOH National, State, County leaders. Judge Collins, now retired, is a lifelong Bronx … [Read more...] about AOH Immigration Reform

Forty Years Ago

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Today, when we hear of the intransigence of some extremists in Northern Ireland, it may help to look at where we were just 40 years ago this month and realize how far we’ve come.  Back in 1973, the Nationalist command structure in Belfast was losing the support of people once sympathetic to their cause.  It was as a result of the slanted coverage distributed by the British-controlled press to the media around the world.  Even the people in the Republic to the south were being insulated from the true story and, as a result, had lost much of their enthusiasm for the cause.  Reports of IRA … [Read more...] about Forty Years Ago

Presidential Proclamation — Irish-American Heritage Month, 2013

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IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2013 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION For more than two centuries, America has been made and remade by striving, hopeful immigrants looking for a chance to pursue their dreams. Millions among them were born in Ireland, separated from our shores but united by their belief in a better day. This month, we celebrate the Irish-American journey, and we reflect on the ways a nation so small has inspired so much in another. Generations of Irish left the land of their forebears to cast their fortunes with a young Republic. … [Read more...] about Presidential Proclamation — Irish-American Heritage Month, 2013

The Passing of Bishop Norbert Dorsey

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From President Brendan Moore: The expression "Out of sight, out of mind" is often, but not always true. It is certainly not true in the case of the AOH's association with Bishop Dorsey. Many of us recall the fact that he served two terms as AOH National Chaplain during the "Gilligan Years." His selection was a brilliant choice on the part of Tom Gilligan. Bishop Dorsey brought not only a quiet eloquence to his role, but gifts of sincerity, piety, and intellect as well. During those four years as National Chaplain, his commitment to our Order never wavered, despite the fact that his … [Read more...] about The Passing of Bishop Norbert Dorsey

AOH Car Rental Discount

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Through the efforts of Brother Brian Burke of Commodore John Barry Division 2 in Syracuse, NY, the AOH has been able to partner with the Avis/Budget Group to offer our members discounts on car rentals. The discounts are available nationwide, 24/7, at all Avis and/or Budget locations. On average, the discounts will run between 10 to 20 percent, and will vary with location and season. For Avis use code # AWD = X265800 and for Budget use code # BCD = A766200. Happy traveling. … [Read more...] about AOH Car Rental Discount

A Call to Action to have the Smithsonian to Recognize Irish American Heritage Month

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The AOH continues to work to have Irish American Heritage Month recognized and commemorated by our public institutions with the same level of commitment as they recognize other heritages.  In particular, the Smithsonian Institute, which claims to be America’s leading educational institution, honors with extensive programs Black History Month, Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and American Indian Heritage Month but continues to ignore Irish American Heritage Month.  We have tried to engage the administration of the Smithsonian several times, and have met with what … [Read more...] about A Call to Action to have the Smithsonian to Recognize Irish American Heritage Month

AOH, IAUC & Brehon Appeal to Kerry and Menendez

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NY, NY & Wash. D. C. Feb. 10th  The leaders of the most active Irish-American groups in the U. S. renewed their attack on  Britain's subpoena of records from the Irish archives of Boston College.  The two year battle has involved a challenge  by the Belfast Project researchers Ed Moloney & Anthony McIntyre to the misuse of the U. S.-U. K. Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and    20 Members of Congress who not only share their concern but question  Britain's commitment to the Irish peace process.  The confirmation of Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State and the elevation of … [Read more...] about AOH, IAUC & Brehon Appeal to Kerry and Menendez

Consider a Day of Action

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By Neil Cosgrove As I write this with the threat of a snow storm hitting the New York area, I must report that the first sign of Spring has been cited. It is not the first robin or the crocuses sprouting, but the sighting of the first defaming “St. Paddy’s Day” [sic] shirts at the local mall. From all reports this years’ crop looks to plum new lows. Among the shirts spotted were: ”Want to Get Lucky With an Irish Girl?”, “ Irish Food Stamps” (depicting chits with beer mugs on them) and “Did you hear the one about an Irishman who left a bar?...Nah, me neither”. Of course there were also the … [Read more...] about Consider a Day of Action

President's Message: "On Moving Forward"

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By the time you receive this edition of the Hibernian Digest we will be well into 2013, but I still want to wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year on behalf of your National Board. As 2012 drew to a close, much of the focus was on Northern Ireland issues. While Britain’s Da Silva Report into the decades-ago assassination of attorney Patrick Finucane clearly pointed to security forces colluding with loyalist paramilitaries, there was an obvious attempt to avoid any hint that such collusion had been sanctioned by the higher/ highest reaches of the British government. In addition, the AOH … [Read more...] about President's Message: "On Moving Forward"

National Chaplain's Message

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The Lenten Season is upon us. It is a good time to be reminded that we as an organization must be Christ-bearers or intercessors for Him. Eight-year-old Jimmy was acting up. He refused to do what he was told to do, and did about everything he was told not to do. In desperation his father finally sent him off to bed before the dessert was served. Just then a neighbor dropped in. He always liked Jimmy, and after a while he asked the parents if he could talk to the boy. With a prayer in his heart he reminded the lad that his disobedience displeased his parents and made them sad. Especially it … [Read more...] about National Chaplain's Message

One of the Best Hibernian Traditions

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by Ed Wallace, PNP In the Penal Days, our ancestors stood guard to protect the Roman Catholic clergy as they celebrated the holy sacrifice of the Mass for the disenfranchised Irish. In the days of Nativist Bigotry, our immigrant forebears stood guard around Catholic churches to safeguard our clergy from the anti-Catholic Know Nothings. As they were needed then, we are needed now! Today, violence has diminished, but the need to protect our clerical tradition is just as great, if not greater. This time the enemy is economic. The number of applicants to the religious life is decreasing each … [Read more...] about One of the Best Hibernian Traditions

Glencoe

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William of Orange defeated King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, and claimed the Throne of England.  He had beaten and deceived the Celts of Ireland into submission, and turned his attention to the Celts of the Scottish Highlands.  He demanded that all clan Chieftains swear an oath of allegiance, and surrender their lands to the Crown by 1 January, 1692 or suffer government reprisal.  By that date, the clan of MacIan MacDonald of Glencoe had not yet signed.  On 31 December MacIan had travelled to Fort William to ask the governor, Colonel Hill, to administer the required oath, but … [Read more...] about Glencoe

Christmas in Ireland

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The Christmas season in Ireland is a happy combination of modern and ancient customs that combine to bring a unique meaning to this special time of year.  While Christmas shopping, decorated trees, and Santa Claus are evident everywhere, traditional customs that signify the true meaning of this holy season still remain, especially in the towns and villages where people still celebrate the holy feast as their ancestors had for generations. On Christmas eve, the windows of the house were decorated with garlands of holly and ivy, with candles centered in each  – often in a hollowed-out turnip … [Read more...] about Christmas in Ireland

President's Message: On Moving Forward

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We seem to be addicted to meetings. A necessary evil, meetings in whatever form are essential to the smooth running of the AOH and the attainment of its goals and purposes. The October 2nd National Board conference call focused on projects and issues that are being addressed by your National Board. National Vice President Jim McKay reported that the AOH Labels Program is not only up and running, but donations received to date were surpassing previous early stage amounts. (Please promote the AOH by using our labels on your mail and sending your donation to support National Board charitable … [Read more...] about President's Message: On Moving Forward

Irish Central: 400 Irish reach out again to help distressed areas after Hurricane Sandy

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400 Irish volunteers descended on Rockaway and other areas slammed by Hurricane Sandy on Saturday for a Christmas Meitheal (helping neighbors in need). They fanned out to several stricken sites led by the Ancient Order of Hibernians who organized a massive manpower effort to help damaged areas. It was the second time in two months that the irish community had come together to help out those in need after the hurricane. Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/400-Irish-reach-out-again-to-help-distressed-areas-after-Hurricane-Sandy-183696511.html#ixzz2FE7piuMC … [Read more...] about Irish Central: 400 Irish reach out again to help distressed areas after Hurricane Sandy

Steps To Follow Post Hurricane

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The steps that residents need to take that were impacted by Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy are as follows: 1.        Contact their homeowners insurance to start a claim 2.       Contact their flood insurance company if they have to start a claim 3.       Register for FEMA disaster assistance.  They can go to a Disaster Recovery Center , register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or via smart phone at m.fema.gov, or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.  If they use 711-relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) call 1-800-621-3362. 4.       Once registered, FEMA will sent … [Read more...] about Steps To Follow Post Hurricane