Ancient Order of Hibernians

[Panache]

post deleted.

It sounds like Brian is trying his best

Keep at at Woodsheal! :blimp:

Cheers

Jamie

[Woodsheal]

...unless you jump in and do something about it.

T.

I'm trying! As I mentioned, I've tried to make Kilt Night a Scottish Society outing (what better?) with little or no luck. I'm battling too much inertia....

[macwilkin]

I'm trying! As I mentioned, I've tried to make Kilt Night a Scottish Society outing (what better?) with little or no luck. I'm battling too much inertia....

It can be difficult, Bryan. I battled a few "auld brickwalls" in my day in our old Celtic Society, but we eventually prevailed. We actually have a fairly young St. Andrew's Society now.

Getting back to the comments as to why the Irish seem more vibrant than the Scots, I think it has to do with St. Patrick's Day. The original meaning of the holiday has now been changed into a sort of green secular Mardi Gras. (and tourist Mardi Gras at that, not real Cajun/Creole Mardi Gras)

T.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Although the Ancient Order of Hibernians is an exclusively Irish association it is totally different in its ethos than the Knights of Columbus, which is a well-respected Catholic fraternal organization.

It is extremely unfortunate that the AOH remains an anti-Protestant, sectarian organization, unlike the K of C, and has engaged in overt, pro-IRA, political activity in the United States. In Ireland, where abandoned AOH halls can be found in most rural villages, it has failed singularly in its intended purpose.

By and large Ireland is, and has been for more than 200 years, a nation where Catholics, Protestants, and Dissenters, get along peacefully. While there have been, and continue to be, political differences within the Irish nation, only a tiny minority of Irish men and women engage in religious bigotry as a political act.

Whilst residing in Ireland for more than twenty years I met with visiting members of the AOH on several occasions. Generally speaking they were ill-informed on the then current political state of affairs within, and without, the Republic; most were woefully unaware of Irish history-- although filled to the brim with mis-information-- and some were so outspoken in their anti-Protestant views that members of the Government were often uncomfortable in meeting with them.

As an Irishman, by nationality if not by birth, I lament the fact that there does not seem to be a Irish equivalent of the St. Andrew's Societies which abound in the United States.

[Bigkahuna]

There is the Loyal Orange Order commonly referred to as Orangemen, who are made up of Protestant Scots/Irish, Ulstermen. This might be something for you to look into.

[long_hand]

I belong to a group of Irish Polytheists...so much of the culture and wisdom weaves into many different areas...just find what suits you and go for it. Eirinn Go Bragh!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

There is the Loyal Orange Order commonly referred to as Orangemen, who are made up of Protestant Scots/Irish, Ulstermen. This might be something for you to look into.

The Loyal Orange Order was founded in Dublin, in the 18th century, and at one time had wide membership throughout the whole of Ireland. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, as home rule became a hotly contested subject, the Orange Order attracted significant numbers of working class Irish who feared the consequences of any lessening of the political status quo. Following Irish independence membership in the Orange Order declined in the Republic while remaining fairly active in working class neighborhoods in the Ulster Province. As far as becoming a member of the Orange Order in Greenville is concerned, I do not believe that it has any significant presence in the United States.

[IrishGodfather]

There's a few Irish societies in Greenville, and I don't know of any Scottish societies besides the Scottish Rites, which my grandfather was a member of. But I honestly don't know what that is...Ohh the ignorance of a college student!

[thanmuwa]

OK, so I have a big question...Why can't a good protestant Irish guy like me join the Ancient Order of Hibernians???

I spoke with them at the highland games in Greenville last year, and they informed me of this, but why should they keep excluding protestants? I mean I'm not offended, just confused that they don't include all Irish loving people that can prove their Irish heritage...Especially since Irish patriots like Wolfetone and Robert Emmet were protestants...oh well, just thought I'd ask if anyone knew why.

-Chris

As others have mentioned, the AOH isn't an Irish cultural group, but a religious one. It does seem a pity that there is no organisation that is multi-faith. There aren't even that many proud (to be) Irish protestants in Ireland, so maybe you are in a pretty small minority there? Maybe nobody else has got around to starting a group yet, so maybe you could start one? Are there any Irish language or music groups around? Some groups like that are more about culture than language or music!

There is the Loyal Orange Order commonly referred to as Orangemen, who are made up of Protestant Scots/Irish, Ulstermen. This might be something for you to look into.

Hardly a group that is proud to be Irish, as Chris seems to be looking for!

The Loyal Orange Order was founded in Dublin, in the 18th century, and at one time had wide membership throughout the whole of Ireland. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, as home rule became a hotly contested subject, the Orange Order attracted significant numbers of working class Irish who feared the consequences of any lessening of the political status quo. Following Irish independence membership in the Orange Order declined in the Republic while remaining fairly active in working class neighborhoods in the Ulster Province. As far as becoming a member of the Orange Order in Greenville is concerned, I do not believe that it has any significant presence in the United States.

The Orange Order was founded in Loughgall, County Armagh, in what is now Northern Ireland in 1795, not Dublin. It never had a significant percentage of working class members in Ireland as the working class in Ireland was majority Catholic and therefore excluded from membership of the Orange Order. (Northern Ireland is obviously a different story entirely and does have plenty of blue-collar Orange Order members).

[Colonel MacNeal]

The Loyal Orange Order was founded in Dublin, in the 18th century, and at one time had wide membership throughout the whole of Ireland. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, as home rule became a hotly contested subject, the Orange Order attracted significant numbers of working class Irish who feared the consequences of any lessening of the political status quo. Following Irish independence membership in the Orange Order declined in the Republic while remaining fairly active in working class neighborhoods in the Ulster Province. As far as becoming a member of the Orange Order in Greenville is concerned, I do not believe that it has any significant presence in the United States.

The Orange Order is still active in Canada, but it's not my idea of a good time. We should focus on things that unite us, rather than divide us. In Texas, we are starting an "Order of Saint Andrew" as an adjunct to the Scottish American Military Society. However, the group is still in its infancy (4 members). Perhaps the poster of the original message should start his own club with some friends.

Cheers, ColMac