The first area we must increase excellence is recruiting, from application to membership. Our only opportunity for success in recruiting is with commitment from each and every Hibernian. We are recruiting men who will help us in every aspect of our noble order. From Pro-Life to Political Education, from Freedom for all Ireland to Catholic Action, recruiting new Irish Catholic Brothers will make us stronger in Everything we do. Every time you recruit, you are recruiting the future leaders of Irish America. Our success in recruiting will strengthen the Voice of Irish America!

Local recruiting remains our bread and butter. This is where you come in. I know each and every one of you knows at least one, if not 10, men who meet the qualifications to become a great Hibernian. The only thing holding them back is you. Take a time to recruit one Irish Catholic you know today. Set a goal as to how many people you can recruit between now and Christmas, New Years, St. Patrick’s Day. It may be your father, your son, your brother, your uncle, someone at work, someone at church. Take a minute right now to write down three names. Increase excellence by bringing in a new member today.

The national board has made a commitment to additional funding to be used in marketing, promotion and advertising for new recruits. This is a sure way to generate applications from those who wish to be part of the largest and oldest Irish Catholic organization outside of Ireland, the voice of Irish America, the voice of the AOH. The key to the success of this national campaign is you! Without our members on the ground vetting and then recruiting the qualified men on these applications, we lose them. With your help we can bring these men into the Order, mentor them, open up the world of Irish America to them and most importantly, retain them. Increase excellence by converting every qualified applicant in your area into a member of the AOH.

The second area we must increase excellence in is the collection of our positive data. We are working on ways to improve communication between your division, county board, state board and national board to gather as much impact information as we can. Impact information is anything that shows our strength in number of members as well as the number of people we impact in everything we do. We need to know the numbers of people participating in your events from A to Z. We are working on updated forms to share with you to report everything and anything you do.

Part of the improved communication began on October 8th when we had a National Board State President zoom meeting. For the first time, we invited all members of every state board to participate in the meeting. This opportunity allowed these brothers to learn fist hand what is happening on the national level. Moving forward we plan to open these meeting up to county and division presidents as well. This meeting went on for just under two hours and afforded everyone on the zoom an opportunity to hear from almost all of our national chairman.

In closing, I want to remind everyone to check the website regularly for opportunities to participate in our live events. Each event will also be on our YouTube page for you to watch at a later time and date or even during, before, or after your division meeting. Remember, Macte Virtute, increase excellence. The excellent work you continue to do every day well help the AOH to increase excellence.

God Bless,

As we begin our Labor Day around the US, it’s proper for us to reflect upon the Irish American and the AOH influence on labor in the US. The Father of Labor Day, Peter J McGuire, parents were Irish Immigrants. The list of great Irish American labor leaders is a long one and includes many Hibernians. Michael McGovern, the Puddler Poet was one such Hibernian. McGovern who was born in the townland of Castlefield Galway was an IRB man who ended up in Youngstown Ohio. McGovern role in the IRB forced him to leave his home, first fleeing to England and on to the US. His travels eventually landed him in Youngstown Ohio.

McGovern quickly became active in the AOH Youngstown where he wrote the poem, Welcome AOH Men.

For Ireland’s triumphs and her woes:
For virtues that enhance her glory;
For wrongs inflicted by her foes
That go to make the blackest story.
For love of Freedom, – always her’s;
Which love, may yet its crown accord her
Céad Mile fáilte –Visitors –
True members of her Ancient Order.

A collection of McGovern’s poems,” Labor Lyrics and Other Poems” can be found at: https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p267401coll36/id/12363/
Friends of the AOH from County Galway, Jim Fahy and Leo Finnegan members of the Williamstown Heritage Society are currently working on McGovern’s biography.

I personally have been blessed by influence and mentoring from two great Irish American Labor Leaders. One, my father, Martin John O’Connell (known as Jack) and the other, past AOH National President Seamus Boyle. Dad served in numerous labor capacities beginning with his role as Business Manage for the Plumbers and Steamfitter local 87. He went on to serve as Executive Secretary of the Western Reserve Building Trades Council and became the first non-steel worker to serve as President of the local AFL-CIO. Seamus was born in Newry, County Armagh and immigrated to the US in 1971. He served as Business Agent for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 122. These two men, great Labor Leaders in America, helped me develop into the man I am today.

I’m sure that each of our lives has been influence in same way by the efforts of Irish American Labor Leaders. I also know that the USA is a better place today because of them. Thank you to all the great Irish American Labor Leaders on this Labor Day.

– Daniel J O’Connell

August 28^th, 2020

Dear Irish America,

Founded in 1836 with current membership in all 50 states, the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America is the oldest and largest Irish Catholic Organization in the United States. In fact, the AOH is the largest Irish organization outside of Ireland. How does an American, Catholic, Irish fraternal organization continue to thrive for over 184 years? The answer is simple – we are a multifaceted organization that covers everything relevant to Irish Americans.

The giant umbrella of the Hibernians covers all Irish American interests in some way. We are Catholic, we are men of faith, we were founded to protect the Catholic clergy in America and assist our ancestors as they immigrated to the United States in the wake of The Great Hunger (An Gorta Mór). We are advocates for a Free and United Ireland and of improved immigration between the U.S. and Ireland. We are a civic minded organization, supporting our veterans and encouraging civic participation of all members. We are a non-partisan issues-based organization prohibited from supporting or working against any political party or candidate.

What brings all members of the AOH together is our heritage and culture. With such a diverse range of interests it is only natural to have an equally diverse range of opinions. Any such differences are more than compensated for through our tremendous love and devotion for our Irish and Irish-American Culture and Heritage. Our love of Irish music, folklore, sports literature, travel and everything else Irish is the foundation that makes the AOH what it is today. We long to visit the home of our family and ancestors where the faith of our forefathers was molded.

We are the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, Inc., the number one Irish American organization in the world and we invite you to review all that we have to offer to Irish Catholic Americans. Take a look and don’t hesitate to contact us at AOH.COM .

God Bless,

Daniel J. O’Connell
National President
Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, Inc.

This is an excellent Documentary on the role America played on the 1916 Rising presented by Dr. Ruan O’Donnell who has frequently addressed the AOH. Take a moment during this Easter week to learn more about the efforts of our forefathers.

Special thanks to our friend Ruan for sharing his work.

In our Motto,

I am addressing you from my home here in New Orleans. Home is where most of us have been isolated for the past three weeks. We know the global pandemic has weighed greatly on the minds of each and every one of us these past few weeks as our family, friends, and communities have struggled to cope with illness and the side effects of isolation, job loss, and anxiety. We were called to duty, as Catholics and civic-minded Americans, to provide needed leadership during the period of unknown. Hibernians across the country answered that call.

We stood united with our Bishops, as they made the difficult decision to close the doors of the church and move services online. We stood united with our elected officials and community organizers, as St. Patrick’s Day parades and celebrations were cancelled. We continue to stand as leaders among our family and friends as we battle through this difficult time. We absolutely must continue to follow the recommendations of our local, state, and federal officials in an effort to prevent the spread of this deadly virus.

Our hearts weigh heavy every time we hear about another Brother falling victim to this awful illness; we must do everything within ourselves to help prevent any additional loss of life.

As we yearn for a greater sense of normalcy and fellowship, we look out towards the AOH & LAOH National Convention in Orlando in late July as a ray of hope. In addition to conducting the business of the Order, the convention will be a wonderful opportunity to reunite and celebrate “All Things Irish” with our brothers and sisters from across the country.

With that said, we absolutely understand the potential impact this crisis has on our future plans in Orlando and any need to make alternate arrangements. AOH Leadership and the Host Committee are continually assessing the situation and will heed the advice of the leading health experts as we move forward. If alternative arrangements are needed, we already have a team of brothers who have stepped up to ensure the business of the Order will be carried out. Be assured, the health and safety of our brothers and sisters will be at the forefront of all decisions.

Our 184-year history as an organization clearly indicates that problems do not defeat us; problems unite us. We bring a wealth of caring, hope, and resilience to all of the challenges we face. We know the brotherhood that binds us will carry us through these difficult days.

There is an expression down here on the Golf Coast that is used often in another season, but this season its certainly relevant also. Every storm eventually runs out of rain and so too, this storm shall pass. Brothers, I pray that we will see many of you in Orlando this coming July. God Bless and be safe.

In our Motto,

Jim

Greeting Brothers,

I am addressing you from my home here in New Orleans. Home is where most of us have been isolated for the past three weeks. We know the global pandemic has weighed greatly on the minds of each and every one of us these past few weeks as our family, friends, and communities have struggled to cope with illness and the side effects of isolation, job loss, and anxiety. We were called to duty, as Catholics and civic-minded Americans, to provide needed leadership during the period of unknown. Hibernians across the country answered that call.

We stood united with our Bishops, as they made the difficult decision to close the doors of the church and move services online. We stood united with our elected officials and community organizers, as St. Patrick’s Day parades and celebrations were cancelled. We continue to stand as leaders among our family and friends as we battle through this difficult time. We absolutely must continue to follow the recommendations of our local, state, and federal officials in an effort to prevent the spread of this deadly virus.

Our hearts weigh heavy every time we hear about another Brother falling victim to this awful illness; we must do everything within ourselves to help prevent any additional loss of life.

As we yearn for a greater sense of normalcy and fellowship, we look out towards the AOH & LAOH National Convention in Orlando in late July as a ray of hope. In addition to conducting the business of the Order, the convention will be a wonderful opportunity to reunite and celebrate “All Things Irish” with our brothers and sisters from across the country.

With that said, we absolutely understand the potential impact this crisis has on our future plans in Orlando and any need to make alternate arrangements. AOH Leadership and the Host Committee are continually assessing the situation and will heed the advice of the leading health experts as we move forward. If alternative arrangements are needed, we already have a team of brothers who have stepped up to ensure the business of the Order will be carried out. Be assured, the health and safety of our brothers and sisters will be at the forefront of all decisions.

Our 184-year history as an organization clearly indicates that problems do not defeat us; problems unite us. We bring a wealth of caring, hope, and resilience to all of the challenges we face. We know the brotherhood that binds us will carry us through these difficult days.

There is an expression down here on the Golf Coast that is used often in another season, but this season its certainly relevant also. Every storm eventually runs out of rain and so too, this storm shall pass. Brothers, I pray that we will see many of you in Orlando this coming July. God Bless and be safe.

In our Motto,

Jim