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
A Call to Action to have the Smithsonian to Recognize Irish American Heritage Month
AOH, IAUC & Brehon Appeal to Kerry and Menendez
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
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"
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
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
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
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
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
Nollaig Sona Duit
The National Board would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2013. … [Read more...] about Nollaig Sona Duit
President's Message: On Moving Forward
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
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
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
Storm Relief Supplies Requested
Below is a list of requested supplies for the affected areas. To help donate these supplies in New York contact NY State Secretary Tim McSweeney at tmcsweeney@nyaoh.com or NYS Past President Chip McLean at cmclean@nyaoh.com and in New Jersey contact NJ State President Sean Pender at sean.pender@aoh.com. Water Blankets Baby Items/Diapers Toiletries Clothing Baby Food Flashlights/ Batteries Gloves (any … [Read more...] about Storm Relief Supplies Requested
James Stephens
At midnight on the rainy night of November 24, 1865, there was hardly a soul to be seen on the streets of Dublin. Policemen on duty took shelter in doorways, blowing on their fingers to warm them in the bitter cold. Not far away and colder than the policemen six men, soaked to the skin, were waiting outside Richmond Prison. When they spoke, they spoke in whispers and watched the high wall of the prison for a signal. In a cell within the prison, a man paced back and forth. He too awaited a signal for he knew that unless plans miscarried, this was the night he was to be rescued. His name … [Read more...] about James Stephens
AOH Storm Relief Fund
Many parts of the Northeast have been devastated. Hurricane Sandy has left us with unimaginable misery in terms of destruction, dislocation, and despair. Areas with extremely high concentrations of Hibernians truly resemble war zones where dark and heatless homes faced this frigid morning with temperatures averaging 25 degrees. I realize you have seen the tremendous loss on TV. A neighbor of mine told me that when a newscaster showed people burning their own furniture to stay warm, he had to stop looking at the evening news. But we, as Hibernians, cherish an Irish Catholic legacy that … [Read more...] about AOH Storm Relief Fund
March For Life – January 25, 2013
Hibernians Respect Life! Come Stand up for LIFE and march with your Hibernian Brothers, Sisters and Friends The March for Life Washington D.C. Friday, January 25, 2013 http://www.marchforlife.org/ Breakfast at the Irish Channel 9:00am $25 500 H Street Northwest, Washington, DC, (202) 216‐0046 Special AOH rate at the Fairfield Inn and Suites $179 500 H Street Northwest, Washington, DC (202) 289‐5959 Click Here To Download Flyer … [Read more...] about March For Life – January 25, 2013
Statement From AOH National President Brendan Moore
Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of Hurricane Sandy up and down the East Coast. Many AOH Brothers and LAOH Sisters from Delaware to New England experienced some sort of power loss or property damage. We hope they will recover quickly. The AOH National Board is examining - through the Hibernian Charity - how best to be of assistance. We will have more information on it within the next week. For now, please say a prayer for those who live in the disaster areas, so the Good Lord will protect those who are without the basic essentials of life and may He guide the rescue to a quick … [Read more...] about Statement From AOH National President Brendan Moore
Reverend Peter Whelan – The Angel of Andersonville
There are many heroes associated with the Confederate States of America (CSA) whose stories have been forgotten or swept under the rug; after all, the winners write the history. Among those forgotten in our northern history books are Irish Catholic priests like Rev. Tom O’Reilly of Cavan, Rev. Abram Ryan of Tipperary parents and Rev. Peter Whelan of Wexford. Rev. O’Reilly earned fame as the man who 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; Sherman acquiesced and the … [Read more...] about Reverend Peter Whelan – The Angel of Andersonville
AOH Discount in Limerick, Ireland
The Greenhills Hotel in Co. Limerick is offering a special rate for AOH members. The special AOH guaranteed rate would be €40pps per night Bed/Breakfast, this would include use of our leisure centre and complimentary car parking for the Bus. They will also include a dinner rate of €20 per night if required per person. If a group is large enough they can organize some traditional music at night in the Bar for the group. The Greenhills Hotel can be contacted at: Ennis Road, Caherdavin Co. Limerick City, Ireland General Manager Daphne Greene Phone: 061 453033 Email: … [Read more...] about AOH Discount in Limerick, Ireland
Kathleen Daly Clarke – Leader, Heroine, Patriot
The Easter Rising, which led to the Republic of Ireland, was the work of Thomas J. Clarke, who returned to Ireland from his Manorville, Long Island farm, with his wife Kathleen, to re-organize the dormant Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). Tom not only rebuilt the IRB, but organized the Irish Volunteers who would plan a rising; Katty, as he affectionately called his wife, became President of Cumann na mBan, the Ladies Auxiliary to the Volunteers, and she organized the women. Katty had come from a staunch Republican family, and was so zealous for the cause that just before the rising, she … [Read more...] about Kathleen Daly Clarke – Leader, Heroine, Patriot