In April 1848, Thomas Francis Meagher and William Smith O’Brien, two members of the Young Ireland nationalist movement visited France. They were seeking assistance for a nationwide rebellion in Ireland. At the time, France was reluctant to provide any assistance, but the two patriots did not return empty-handed. They brought with them a beautiful silken [...]
The US Naval Academy’s Memorials Oversight Committee approved the new Commodore John Barry Memorial on January 11th. Written confirmation was signed February 7th. The project will be completed in two phases. Phase one will be the erection of the new Barry Gate at the pedestrian entrance on Prince George Street. The majority of people entering [...]
As I write this, it is not quite March, Irish-American Heritage Month. I want to report that your IAHM Committee of Neil Cosgrove, John Schell and myself have been hard at work trying to do all those things to have March permanently designated as Irish-American Heritage Month. Progress has been made, but we’re not there [...]
irishphiladelphia.com – reprinted with permission As a Catholic and a nationalist living in the Cliftonville neighborhood of North Belfast in the late 1970s, young Pearse Kerr was accustomed to being treated with suspicion and contempt—and often brutality. Orangemen forced his family out of their first home, threatening to burn it down. Out on the [...]
Did you know the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade was started in 1762 by a man named John Marshall when he wanted to host a dinner? Although, the there was no mention of a parade, based on the festivities in ensuing years, the belief is that one was held. And there it all [...]
Dear Editor, As we approach Holy Week, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and the commemoration of the Easter Monday uprising in Ireland, the preamble of our AOH constitution referring to “achieving the complete independence of Ireland” should be our inspiration. At O’Donovan Rossa’s graveside in 1915, Patrick Pearse spoke “on behalf of a new generation… re-baptized [...]
John P. Concannon, 86, Past AOH National Historian passed away on March 3, 2011. John was born July 1, 1924 and lived most of his life in Clason Point, the Bronx and Flushing, Queens. An Irish-American journalist and a former public relations guru for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, has died. Concannon, who was born [...]
The AOH and LAOH can be proud that the 2010 Christmas Appeal was once again very successful. On behalf of myself and my LAOH co-chair Pat Rattigan we would like to thank all that contributed to this year’s campaign. 24 Boards or Divisions and one individual donated $1000 or more. Division/Board Amount Fr. Henry [...]
NATIONAL BOARDS OF THE AOH & LAOH ANNOUNCE 2011 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS TO APPLY CHECK ONE ________ AOH IRISH WAY HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP ($500) ________ LAOH IRISH WAY HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP ($500) ________ AOH IRISH STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP (College) The Irish Way Program LIVE & LEARN IN IRELAND EXPERIENCE IRELAND SCENERY, PEOPLE & CULTURE LEARN IRISH HISTORY, [...]
Blizzards, power outages, airplane mechanical issues, missing luggage, unplanned stops in foreign airports and cancelled hotel reservations couldn’t keep the large contingent of AOH and LAOH members from making the trip to Derry this year to attend the final Bloody Sunday commemoration march. The trip started out more like an episode of “The Amazing Race” [...]
