AOH National History

The Ancient Order of Hibernians (A.O.H.) in America is an Irish-Catholic fraternal organization founded at St. James Church in New York City on May 4, 1836. The Order can trace its roots back to a parent organization, of the same name, which has existed in Ireland since the 17th century. While these organizations share a common thread, the A.O.H. in America is a separate and much larger organization.

In Ireland, the A.O.H. evolved from the need to protect the lives of priests and lay people who risked immediate death to keep the Catholic Faith alive in occupied Ireland after the reign of England's King Henry VIII. When England implemented its dreadful Penal Laws in Ireland, various secret societies were formed across the country. As one of these groups, the A.O.H. worked to aid their fellow people by whatever means available to them.

Likewise, the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America was founded to protect the clergy, church property and the newly emigrated Irish from various anti-immigrant groups such as the 'Know-Nothings' and their followers. The vast influx of Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Hunger in Ireland in the late 1840's prompted a growth of social societies throughout the United States. The largest of these Irish organizations was and continues to be the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Active across the United States the Order's aims encompass the following points:

(1) To promote friendship, unity and true Christian Charity amongst its members and the community at-large.

(2) To uphold and sustain loyalty to the government of the United States of America by A.O.H. members.

(3) To aid and advance by all legitimate and peaceful means the aspirations and endeavors of the Irish people for a complete and absolutely independent Irish State.

(4) To promote peace with justice and the unity of all Ireland.

(5) To foster the ideals and perpetuate the history, traditions, and culture of the Irish people.

(6) To encourage and equitable U.S. immigration law for Ireland and to cooperate with all groups for a fair American immigration policy.

(7) To accept and support without prejudice the concept of free expression of religious practice for the people of the world.

The A.O.H. also provides a continuing bridge with Ireland for those individuals who have recently emigrated from or those who are generations removed from their ancestral country. In conclusion, the A.O.H. is simply the finest Irish-Catholic organization in the world.

*A complete history of the A.O.H.: A History of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America and Ladies’ Auxiliary - Vols. 1-3 by: John O’Dea.