What is the Ancient Order of Hibernians:

The Ancient Order of Hibernians is America’s oldest Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization, having been founded in 1836.

The Order can trace its roots back to other societies that existed in Ireland for more than 300 years.

Today the AOH exists in America, Canada, Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland but the American AOH is a separate and much larger organization.

Active across the United States, the many Divisions and club facilities have traditionally been among the first to welcome new Irish immigrants.

Here, the Irish culture — art, dance, music, and sports are fostered and preserved. The newcomers can meet some of ‘their own’ and are introduced to the social atmosphere of the Irish-American community.

The AOH has been at the forefront for issues concerning the Irish, such as; Immigration Reform; economic Incentives both here and in Ireland; the human rights issues addressed in the MacBride Legislation; Right-To-Life; and a peaceful and just solution to the issues that divide Ireland.

The early Irish societies were born of a need in the mid-fifteen hundreds to protect fellow Irish Catholics, and especially the clergy who risked death to keep the Catholic Faith alive in occupied Ireland after the Penal Laws of 1691. These various secret societies were formed across the country to aid and comfort their people by whatever means was available.

The Order has also provided a continuing bridge with Ireland for those who are generations removed from our ancestral homeland.  The AOH sponsors many programs associated with promoting our Irish Heritage such as the IRISH WAY PROGRAM, SCHOLARSHIPS and NATIONAL HISTORY DAY sponsorship.