The Ancient Order of Hibernians is America’s oldest Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization. The Order can trace its roots back to a parent organization, of the same name, which has existed in Ireland for over 300 years.
The first American division was founded in 1836 at St. James Church in New York City. The AOH was established to protect the clergy and church property from the anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic bigotry that was rampant in the United States at the time. It has since evolved into a major force for Irish American cultural preservation and charitable work.
The AOH advocates for issues concerning the Irish, such as immigration reform; economic incentives for Ireland; the human rights issues addressed in the MacBride Principles; a peaceful and just solution to the issues that divide Ireland; and the preservation of our Irish culture.