2009 President's Letters

June 13, 2009
National President's remarks at
United Ireland Forum in New York

Good afternoon to everyone who came here today to help create a peaceful political path to a united Ireland.

The historical position of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America since it’s creation in 1836 is to support the principle of a United Ireland for ALL of its people.

We need to be sure that the London and Dublin Governments, as well as every political party that has a relevant interest in an Ireland unified and free, will understand that we are a powerful supporter of this initiative.

As the National President of the A.O.H., I have called on our membership to, “Be at this forum today in New York City and on June 27th in San Francisco if at all possible so that everyone present realizes that an Ireland united and free for all of it’s people is at the top of the agenda on the Ancient Order of Hibernian in America’s ‘To Do’ List.”

All of the people of Ireland will need to be a part of the steps to become a United Ireland and the A.O.H. in America vows to be a major player in this effort. This indeed is our historical imperative.

Our first step will be to revitalize and strengthen the Ad Hoc Committee for Ireland in the U.S. Congress that has been in place for almost 25 years. We would like to invite every Irish-American organization as well as every individual here to join us in this endeavor to broaden the Ad Hoc Committee, and the Friends of Ireland Committee. This work has already begun by this administration through Joe Roche and Ned McGinley, two Past President’s. If we are to accomplish our goal of a United Ireland we will all need to work in unison to gather support in the Congress for our efforts.

The AOH has a huge network throughout the United States and is one of the oldest and largest Irish organizations in this country who want nothing more than to join forces with other nationalist-minded groups to combine our strength in a powerful effort to complete that long-cherished wish of an Ireland united and free from sea to sea.

Thank you for this opportunity to speak. Now let us join together to support the long-held wish of the Irish Diaspora and the Irish people.

Let me conclude by leaving you with a slogan that we all can use: ONE ISLAND ONE IRELAND

Seamus Boyle National President
Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, Inc.