2009 President's Letters

May 2, 2009
To all State, County and Division Presidents,

Brothers this letter is requesting that all divisions throughout the country honor our ancestors who died or were forced to emigrate in the 1840’s because of the Great Hunger, An Gorta Mor. In conjunction with the Irish Government’s Commemoration on May 17th we are asking that your county or division have a memorial Mass or other memorial service in their memory. Let the media know about these services and other activities in your area during this international day of recognition in memory of our ancestors.

Sunday, May 17, 2009
Commemoration day to honor the victims of the Great Hunger in Ireland 1845-51

Recently the Irish Government formed a commemoration committee to honor the victims of the Great Hunger. People of Irish Heritage are asked to participate at Masses and other memorial services. This is a world wide event because of the many people who left Ireland in order to survive the Hunger.

All Irish organizations should get together and plan activities to honor their family ancestors on this date in their local areas. Educational workshops and material should be used to educate people about this man made famine. Food was being exported while the people were starving.

Form committees, contact public officials for help, ask for help from the news media. There are some monuments to these victims where memorial services could take place. Consult with churches for Masses.

After waiting for 150 years, we finally have an opportunity to honor these victims. We should respect and honor their memory by having overflow crowds at all these masses and ceremonies.

It is the least we can do after considering the depth of their suffering for their faith.

Check: www.Irishhungermartyrs.org for some history

AOH National Board
Seamus Boyle National President