[New Jersey 02/07/2026] – The following statement was released by the Ancient Order of Hibernians condemning the racist depiction of President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama circulated via President Trump’s social media account. "The Ancient Order of Hibernians condemns in the strongest possible terms the racist depiction of President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama as apes that was shared from President Trump's social media account. This is not a political statement, but a moral one founded in our Irish history and Catholic faith. We recognize this tactic because it … [Read more...] about AOH Statement Condemning Racist Depiction of Former President and First Lady Obama
News
Hibernians Gather in Washington, DC for the 2026 March for Life
Hibernians from across the country gathered in Washington, DC on January 22nd and 23rd to participate in the Annual March for Life in Washington, DC. Crowd estimates range from tens of thousands to 150,000, including members of the AOH National Board and Pro Life Chairman from Pennsylvania, Illinois, North Carolina, Florida, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC. On Thursday afternoon, the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception hosted the Angelus at 4:45 PM followed by Holy Mass at 5:00 PM. The congregation was several thousand strong and consisted of predominantly high … [Read more...] about Hibernians Gather in Washington, DC for the 2026 March for Life
Announcing the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America (“AOH”) 2026 “America 250 Essay Contest”
The AOH is pleased to announce the revival of an old tradition, the AOH Irish History Essay Contest. This contest, which is designed to stimulate an interest in the study of the history of Ireland and the global Irish Diaspora, is open to students who are enrolled in grades 11 or 12 during the 2025/2026 Academic Year. OFFICIAL RULES TOPIC: Write an essay on the contributions of men and women of Irish heritage to the founding of the United States of America. All essays should be aligned with, although not necessarily about, the mission, … [Read more...] about Announcing the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America (“AOH”) 2026 “America 250 Essay Contest”
The Great Hunger Was Not a Game, Survival Not a “Prize”
The Great Hunger board game by Compass Games has drawn sharp criticism from the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which argues that gamifying Ireland’s Great Hunger (An Gorta Mór) trivializes one of history's gravest human catastrophes. Framing mass starvation, forced emigration, and generational trauma as a competitive exercise distorts historical reality and undermines any serious educational claim about the Great Hunger and its causes.: The Ancient Order of Hibernians is both saddened and outraged by the announcement of The Great Hunger board game by Compass Games. We are saddened because … [Read more...] about The Great Hunger Was Not a Game, Survival Not a “Prize”
Feeding the Future: The Hibernian Hunger Project
We are pleased to highlight a recent podcast appearance by William "Bill" Sullivan, National Chair of the Hibernian Hunger Committee, on Craic on the Coast. In Episode 28, hosts Michael Schilling and Greg Shanahan sit down with Bill to discuss the origins, mission, and national impact of the Hibernian Hunger Project—one of the signature charitable initiatives of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. During the conversation, Bill reflects on how the Hibernian Hunger Project grew out of both compassion and historical memory, drawing a direct line between Ireland’s experience of famine and the … [Read more...] about Feeding the Future: The Hibernian Hunger Project
Hartford Division 2 Holds Christmas Toy/Gift Card Drive
Hartford Division 2 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians held a successful Toy/Gift Card Drive on December 6 and 7, 2025. Several carloads of toys were collected in addition to over $500 worth of gift cards. The collection took place at Christ the King Parish in Wethersfield and at the Breakfast With Santa at the Irish-American Home Society in Glastonbury. The drive benefitted The Giving Tree Project at Saint Augustine Parish in the south end of Hartford. The generosity of those that donated will make Christmas brighter for many families in Connecticut’s capital city. Hartford AOH … [Read more...] about Hartford Division 2 Holds Christmas Toy/Gift Card Drive
Congratulations and Best Wishes to Newly Inaugurated Irish President Catherine Connolly.
Sean Pender, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), America’s oldest and largest Irish Catholic organization, issued a statement today offering congratulations and best wishes to newly inaugurated Irish President Catherine Connolly" Dear President Connolly, On behalf of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, I extend our warmest congratulations on your inauguration as the 10th President of Ireland. Your resounding victory, winning 63.4% of first-preference votes, the highest share ever in a contested Irish presidential election, speaks to the deep confidence … [Read more...] about Congratulations and Best Wishes to Newly Inaugurated Irish President Catherine Connolly.
Standing for Life and True Choice
The National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, has issued a statement regarding a proposed facility in Hudson County capable of performing abortions through all stages of pregnancy. It's morally indefensible that abortions of viable children could occur while nearby, infants of identical gestational age embrace life in NICUs. Our laws and conscience cannot remain divided on whether the value of a child's life, or any life, depends solely on whether he or she is wanted or is convenient to others. Any society that adopts such a standard places itself on a slippery slope, … [Read more...] about Standing for Life and True Choice
Celebrating the Month of the Holy Rosary
Dear Brothers, The month of October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. On October 7th, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in honor of the Blessed Mother. October was also the month in which Mary appeared for the last time to shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, urging them to "say the rosary every day to obtain peace for the world. Say a rosary to Our Lady today! Your prayers will not go unanswered! May Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary pray for us now and forever! In our motto, James Russell Catholic Action … [Read more...] about Celebrating the Month of the Holy Rosary
Feast Day of St. Francis Reflection – 2025
Dear Brothers, Peace and all good! This is how St. Francis would greet his brothers. On Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, we celebrate the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Blessed with vast spiritual insight, Francis’ love for Christ permeated every aspect of his life and showed through in everything he said and did. What better time than his feast day to reflect on this beautiful expression of St. Francis’ guide for living and to think about how each of us can show our love of Christ through everything we say and do each day. Are we understanding of others? Do we strive to forgive … [Read more...] about Feast Day of St. Francis Reflection – 2025
AOH America 250
Honoring Irish America’s Role in Building the United States In 2026, the United States marks 250 years of independence.From the very beginning, Irish Americans were there—soldiers in Washington’s army, leaders in politics, builders of cities, and servants of community. The Ancient Order of Hibernians carries that legacy forward in faith, culture, and charity. Our Story For generations, Irish immigrants and their descendants helped shape America. They dug canals and built railroads, raised churches and schools, and filled the ranks of the military, police, and fire services. … [Read more...] about AOH America 250
LAOH President Testimonial Dinner Held in Harrisburg, Pa
National vice president Liam McNabb and president Sean Pender present flowers to national LAOH President Mary Ann Lubinsky to recognize her at her testimonial dinner held in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. … [Read more...] about LAOH President Testimonial Dinner Held in Harrisburg, Pa
Our Lady of Knock
Feast Day: Sunday, August 17 th , 2025 The apparition in County Mayo in Ireland of Our Lady of Knock is reported to have occurred on the evening of August 21, 1879, the vigil of the octave of the feast of the Assumption. Those who witnessed the miracle ranged in age from five years old to seventy-five. The apparition was described as follows: “Our Lady was wearing a large, brilliant crown and clothed in white garments. On her right was Saint Joseph, his head inclined toward her and on her left Saint John the Evangelist. To the left of Saint John was an altar on which stood a cross and a … [Read more...] about Our Lady of Knock
THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Friday, August 15, 2025 Celebrated every year on August 15th, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is important to many Catholics and Orthodox Christians as the day that Mary was received into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. This is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year; please stop into a Church to pray during the day to honor our Blessed Mother on this special day. Can you imagine what a moment the Assumption must have been for Mary! In describing the scene, some Church Fathers spoke of Jesus Himself coming back to Earth to take His mother and bring … [Read more...] about THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
SC Hibernians Honor our Veterans in Washington, DC
Shortly after Memorial Day, Brothers from South Carolina and Georgia laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, DC. The ceremony concluded a weekend (June 6-8th) of family fun and sightseeing that included attendance at Dropkick Murphy's Rally for Veterans on the National Mall, visits to several Smithsonian Museums, and a private tour of the the White House and US Capitol building coordinated by SC Senator Lindsay Graham's congressional staff. To conclude the weekend, the travel party which included State Vice President Greg … [Read more...] about SC Hibernians Honor our Veterans in Washington, DC
Justice Not Sympathy for Sean Brown
“We don’t need sympathy we need justice” said a visibly angry Clare Brown Loughran, as she described how British Secretary Hilary Benn, who feigns sympathy for her mother Bridie Brown, lodged papers to take the case to the London Supreme Court without even notifying the family or its lawyers. She spoke in a live webinar broadcast, hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) on Saturday May 31 st . Other panelists included another victim’s relative Roisin Read, Ciaran Madden representing the Irish government, and Daniel Holder of the Committee for the Administration of Justice. DAIL … [Read more...] about Justice Not Sympathy for Sean Brown
FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD: THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025
The Ascension of Our Lord, which occurred 40 days after Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter, is the final act of our redemption that began on Good Friday. The Feast takes place ten days before Pentecost; thus taking on a special anticipation of the gift of the Holy Spirit. It does not commemorate a departure. Oh, no! It celebrates a presence and a promise:I am with you always, even to the end of time. Jesus is with us at all times and in all places. This sentence is the core of our faith. During the 40 days before the Ascension, Jesus continues to fortify our faith. He appears … [Read more...] about FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD: THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025
Experiencing the Places of History
Members of the National Board at the site of the Michael Collins ambush near Béal na Bláth. The late Professor Marshall McLuhan presciently noted, long before the advent of the World Wide Web, that we “live today in an age of information and communication [in which] electric media instantly and constantly create a total field of interacting events in which all men participate.” The contents of entire libraries now reside online, making history accessible from any place, at any time, without the need for even local travel. Even so, there has been a renewed interest in recent years, across … [Read more...] about Experiencing the Places of History
Ancient Order of Hibernians Congratulates Pope Leo XIV, First American Pope, on His Election as the 267th Successor of St. Peter
New York — May 8, 2025 — The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America (AOH) extends heartfelt congratulations and prayerful best wishes to His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, on his election as the 267th successor of St. Peter. His election marks a special moment for American Catholics as the first pope born in the United States. “We offer our prayers and support to Pope Leo XIV as he begins his ministry as Bishop of Rome and Pastor of the Universal Church,” said Sean Pender, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Ad Multos Annos, Pope Leo XIV. … [Read more...] about Ancient Order of Hibernians Congratulates Pope Leo XIV, First American Pope, on His Election as the 267th Successor of St. Peter
The Month of May—Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary has a unique place in salvation history and in the Church. Because she responded yes to becoming the Mother of God, she is our first model of discipleship and our model of grace and trust in God. Among Catholics, May is most well known as “Mary’s Month,” a specific month of the year when special devotions are performed in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ancient Greek and Western cultures view May as a month of life and motherhood. This was long before “Mother’s Day” was ever conceived, though the modern celebration is closely related to honor mothers during the spring … [Read more...] about The Month of May—Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary