President’s Message
- February 2026 President’s Message
As we dig our way out of the second big snowstorm of the winter, I hope all are doing well – keep in mind, just a few short weeks until the first day of Spring! Our next division meeting will be at the Hibernian House this Friday, February 27th at 8:00pm. Key agenda items include planning for St. Patrick’s Day, kicking off the memorial golf outing for 2026 and other standing business items. We had a couple of great events at the Hibernian House, including the Halfway to Summer party and another great Comedy Night – congrats to Dennis… Read more: February 2026 President’s Message
News
- Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade will once again make its way down Pearl River’s Central Avenue on Sunday, March 22nd, and we will be marching as a Division, so we once again ask that all members who are able, please come out and march with us. We are the largest AOH Division in… Read more: Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade - Division Ski Trip
As mentioned above, we had a lighter turnout than in past years, but we were met with amazing snow conditions (albeit, some pretty cold windchills!). Our group of stalwarts were a mix of members, family and friends – of all ages – and a good time was had by all. Make sure to join us… Read more: Division Ski Trip - On the Passing of Denis Troy, Wake and Hibernian Ceremony 2/12 at St. Aedans
It is with deep regret that we inform you that our Brother, Denis Troy, passed away Friday evening. Denis’ three sons, Mike, Dan and Pat are also members. We ask that you remember Denis and his entire extended family in your prayers. Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord, And let perpetual light shine upon him.May he… Read more: On the Passing of Denis Troy, Wake and Hibernian Ceremony 2/12 at St. Aedans - 2026 Scholarships
If you have a child who is a high school senior, the AOH Scholarship Competition is now open (for both NYS and our Division scholarships). Applications are due no later than February 27, 2026. As in past years, the application process for both the NYS and Division 3 scholarships are the same (one application for… Read more: 2026 Scholarships
History
- The Manchester Martyrs: “God Save Ireland”
The morning of November 23, 1867, was cold and damp in Manchester. Three young Irishmen stood on a scaffold outside Salford Gaol before a crowd of ten thousand. William Philip Allen was nineteen, a carpenter. Michael Larkin, thirty-two, a tailor with a wife and five children waiting at home. Michael O’Brien, a shop assistant and… Read more: The Manchester Martyrs: “God Save Ireland” - The Patriots They Erased: Ireland’s Sons in Washington’s Army
Even today, our school children are told the story of the American Revolution as one of New England Puritan Yankees and “Scots-Irish riflemen” on the frontier fighting for freedom. Over time, this portrayal has hardened into a historical dogma. Even in an age of revisionism that rightly seeks to recover the voices of women, African… Read more: The Patriots They Erased: Ireland’s Sons in Washington’s Army - Before the U.S. Navy, There Was O’Brien
Jeremiah O’Brien was born in 1744 in Kittery, in the district of Massachusetts that would later form the state of Maine, the eldest of six sons of Morris and Mary O’Brien—Irish Catholic immigrants from County Cork. In 1765, the family moved to Machias, a frontier settlement on the Maine coast. There, the O’Briens established a… Read more: Before the U.S. Navy, There Was O’Brien