If you’re Irish by birth, descent, or adoption, and a practical Catholic, you are eligible to join the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the oldest Catholic lay organization in the United States.
FILL OUT THE ONLINE FORM APPLICATION BELOW
Or click on the link below for a downloadable Application Form
Today is a fine time to join! Complete the AOH Application Form and send it to:
AOH (Attn: Financial Secretary) Post Office Box 667, Locust Grove, VA 22508
** The Division also provides for an associate membership for individuals who do not qualify for full membership. Click the following link the Associate Membership Form **
AOH Associate Member Application
The General Thomas Francis Meagher Division meets at 7:30 PM the third Tuesday of each month at the Fredericksburg Knights of Columbus Council Home, 4724 Harrison Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
Our annual dues are $35.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians can trace its name to 1641 and its motto “Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity” to the Defenders of 1565 Ireland. The mission at that time was to protect priests who risked immediate death for keeping the Catholic Faith alive. When England implemented the Penal Laws, Irishmen and women were stripped of every basic human right for more than 100 years (1697-1826). During that period, the AOH mission expanded to include not only aid and comfort to priests, but to the Irish people as a whole.
In the mid-19th century, the Irish arrived on our shores impoverished, ragged, mostly Gaelic-speaking, and worst of all, Catholic. Several Irish immigrant societies in the U.S. provided social welfare benefits to arriving immigrants. One local society, the Hibernian Friendship Society of Arlington Virginia (founded in 1831), recognized the need for a nation-wide organization. As more Irish Immigrant Societies agreed, the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America was founded in New York City on May 4, 1836. With its motto Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity, AOH in America became the most recent link in the evolution of the ancient Irish Catholic societies.
In response to a nation-wide rise of anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic sentiment during the mis-19th century, Hibernians were again called to protect the Catholic clergy and parish churches from vandalism and arson. In 1843, the AOH gained national notoriety in fighting off a mob intent on burning Saint Patrick Cathedral (New York) to the ground. Later in the 19th century (ca 1854), Know Nothing Party bigots attacked and burned Irish and other immigrant communities across the country and formed a political action committee to lobby for enactment of laws to restrict immigration and limit Irish Catholic participation in the “American Dream.” These physical and psychological attacks on Irish communities provoked AOH to continue the defense of Catholicism even to the extreme of mounting armed guards to fight off would be desecrators of consecrated properties.
Father John J. Munley (St. Mary Parish) was instrumental in founding the General Thomas F. Meagher Division. The Division was formed in November 1987 and named in honor of that great Irish-American statesman, patriot, and commander of the famed Irish Brigade.
Within our local community, Meagher Division brothers volunteer and raise money for local Catholic charities. For example, proceeds from our annual “Trip for Two to Ireland” raffle support Mary’s Shelter, the Paul Stefan Home, local Catholic elementary school students as they prepare for attendance at area Catholic High Schools, and parish work camps. Each year we commemorate Irish Brigade losses in the Battle of Fredericksburg and conduct a wreath laying ceremony at the Irish Brigade Memorial at the City Dock. We participate in Irish cultural events, including Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, parades, and area festivals. Our monthly meetings include a formal business meeting followed by a social segment often including guest speakers on current issues in Ireland, Irish/Irish-American history, cultural discussions, and perhaps a beverage.
