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VIRGINIA AOH NEWSLETTER

Autumn, 2007


Next state meeting:

Saturday, 22 September 2007

10:00 am SHARP

St. Paul’s Catholic Church

909 Rennie Avenue, Richmond

Directions:

 

From Northern Virginia:  take 95 south to Exit 82, Chamberlyne Avenue, US 301; merge into Chamberlyne Avenue/US 301 south.  The church is 2.7 miles on the left.

From Virginia Beach:  Take 64 west to Exit 76A Chamberlyne Avenue, US 301; take a right on Chamberlyne Avenue.  The church is 1.7 miles on the left.

From Charlottesville:  Take 64 east to Exit 78 Boulevard; turn left on Boulevard north; go 0.1 mile; take a right on Brookland Parkway; go 1 mile; turn left on Chamberlyne Avenue.  The church is 0.2 mile on the left.

From Roanoke:  Get yourselves to Charlottesville, and follow the directions from Charlottesville.

 


 

 

I n t r o d u c t i o n

 

               This is the new Virginia AOH Newsletter.  I hope you like it.  If you have suggestions as to topics you would like to see covered, please let me know.  Also, please, please give me your feedback, good and bad, on the Newsletter.  We plan to publish four times a year.

 

                                                                                                Ed Moran, Editor

                                                                                                HOME:   (703) 820-2854

                                                                                                FAX:        (212) 214-00427

                                                                                                EMAIL:   kerryman@att.net


 

 

Index of Reports

 


1.     CHAPLAIN

2.     PRESIDENT

3.     VICE-PRESIDENT

4.     SECRETARY

5.     TREASURER

6.     PAST PRESIDENT

7.     PARLIAMENTARIAN

8.     INSURANCE ADVISOR

9.     CHARITIES AND MISSIONS

10.                        ORGANIZER

11.                        PRO-LIFE

12.                        HISTORIAN

13.                        CATHOLIC ACTION

14.                        FREEDOM FOR ALL IRELAND

15.                        POLITICAL EDUCATION

16.                        IMMIGRATION

17.                        BUY IRISH

18.                        IRISH AWARENESS

19.                        FINANCE

20.                        HIBERNIAN OF THE YEAR

21.                        NEWSLETTER EDITOR/PUBLICITY

22.                        CONVENTION CHAIR

23.                        WEBMASTER

24.                        DEGREES AND CEREMONIALS

25.                        VETERANS AFFAIRS

26.                        FAIRFAX COUNTY BOARD

27.                        PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY BOARD

28.                        COLONEL JOHN FITZGERALD DIVISION (ARLINGTON)

29.                        MSGR. BRADICAN DIVISION (ANNANDALE)

30.                        FATHER WILLIAM CORBY DIVISION (FAIRFAX)

31.                        LT. COLONEL JOHN A. DOWD USMC DIVISION (WOODBRIDGE)

32.                        FATHER EDWIN KELLEY DIVISION (MANASSAS)

33.                        GEN. THOMAS MEAGHER DIVISION (FREDERICKSBURG)

34.                        COLONEL THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, JR. DIVISION (ASHBURN)

35.                        FATHER JOHN MUNLEY DIVISION (WINCHESTER)

36.                        MAJOR JAMES H. DOOLEY DIVISION (RICHMOND)

37.                        JOHN CARDINAL O’CONNOR DIVISION (WILLIAMSBURG)

38.                        ST. PATRICK DIVISION (VIRGINIA BEACH)

39.                        FATHER JOHN LYNCH DIVISION (ROANOKE)


 

 

 

R e p o r t s

 

1.     STATE CHAPLAIN

Rev. George E. Zahn

St. Paul’s Church

909 Rennie Avenue

Richmond, VA 23227-4808

stpauls@cavtel.net

(804) 329-0473

 

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to serve as State Chaplain at the request of our State President Patrick Naughton.  Pat and his fellow officers deserve our prayers and support as they fulfill their duties state-wide in the name of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Day in, day out, the most important connection we can make is with God, as revealed in Scripture and present in our response.  Be assured you and yours will be in my thoughts and prayers, especially at the Altar and Eucharist.

I look forward to meeting more of you in the near future.  Until then, be as active a member as you can to truly make the A.O.H. worthy of its venerable name and purpose.

Shalom,

Fr. George E. Zahn

State Chaplin

 

 

 

 

2.     STATE PRESIDENT

Pat Naughton

p.naughton@comcast.net

(804) 360-2969

 

Brothers,

 

I am truly honored to have been elected State President.  I want to thank Past President Dan Brennan for his leadership and guidance during the last two years.  We welcome Chuck Curran to the State Board.  He has been a hard worker at the Division level and on the state in various chairmanship positions.  We owe a great deal of thanks to Vice President Rich Aleksy and Treasurer Joe McCarthy for all their hard work on the convention. 

Colleen and I look forward to the next two years of visiting the AOH Divisions of the commonwealth.  Please keep me informed of all your functions.  Drop an email to p.naughton@comcast.net or call (804) 360-2969.  My goal is to use the Internet and email (and snail mail) to improve the communication from the State board and chairmen to the Division officers and chairmen.

Our biggest challenge is recruitment of members and officers.  In my message to the convention I spoke of my own personal delay in becoming a member and officer. I thought about joining the AOH in my 20’s in Boston.  Even with my name and "Paddy Face" I wasn’t sure they would take my word I was third generation Irish.  It wasn’t until Bob Karnes asked me to join did I take my first step into a life-changing organization. Each time I took an office it was at the request of another member.

As God tells us in Luke 11:  " So I say to you: ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."  New members and new officers are out there;  all we have to do is ask.

In our motto,

Pat Naughton

 

3.     VICE-PRESIDENT

Rich Aleksy

rswa@att.net

(703) 369-3189

 

I would like to say, "Thank you!" to all my Brother Hibernians for electing me as your Virginia AOH State Vice-President. My primary duty is to support our new Virginia AOH State President Pat Naughton and the programs he wants to promote. I have several other duties and they are:

      1.) Chairman of the Hibernian of the Year and Sustaining Performance Award. Worthy Division Presidents, every Division has a Brother Hibernian who is active and should be nominated for this prestigious award. I have emailed the application to each Division President. Please, please submit your application to me NOT LATER THAN 31 December,  2007.

     2.) State Organizer: I encourage every Division to recruit new Irish Catholics to your Divisions. I would like to work with each of your Division Organizers in promoting new Brother Hibernians into our Order. We shall start at the next Virginia AOH State Board meeting, Saturday, 22 September, in Richmond. I encourage your Division Organizers to accompany you in attendance at this important meeting. Let's get off to a big, PRESIDENT great start!

     I shall do my best to serve you as responsively as possible no matter what your concerns may be. 

   In Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity,

                   Rich Aleksy 

 

4.     SECRETARY

Chuck Curran

irl4fr@aol.com

(703) 866-9825

NO REPORT.

 

5.     TREASURER

Joe McCarthy

Joemc1949@aol.com

(540) 888-3664

I am currently working extensively to prepare an up-to-date Treasurer’s report and will publish it at the next State meeting.

 

6.     PAST PRESIDENT

Dan Brennan

Aoh_brennan@msn.cm

(757) 471-7274

NO REPORT.

 

7.     PARLIAMENTARIAN

Arthur Grimley

Grimarthur@aol.com

(703)971-3861

 “Nothing as of now.  Thanks.”

 

8.     INSURANCE ADVISOR

Dave Zerby

2zerbys@cox.net

(540) 374-1982

 

The insurance policy for the Virginia AOH was renewed sometime back with an endorsement to protect the major degree team when they travel out of state. I am constantly scanning new developments in the insurance field to see if any would benefit the Virginia AOH.                                          

 

 

9.     CHARITIES AND MISSIONS

NO REPORT.

 

10.                        ORGANIZER

 

Please see Vice-President's report. 

 

11.                        PRO-LIFE

Larry O'Brien

obrienclu@cox.net

(703) 279-3423

 

As the newly appointed Pro-Life chairman I am currently formulating plans for this committee.  Before the next Virginia AOH state meeting I shall have formulated those plans and will announce them there.  I wish to remind the Brothers that Pro-Life encompasses more than just being against abortion; being against euthanasia and against the death penalty in criminal cases are also vital parts of the pro-life agenda.  Currently at least once a month the Diocese of Arlington sponsors on Saturday a Mass at St. Rita's and following the Mass, praying the rosary outside an abortion clinic on Duke Street.  Please check the calendar of the "Arlington Catholic Herald" for details.                                    

 

12.                        HISTORIAN

Bruce Denault

bdenault2002@yahoo.com

(540) 720-5000

 

Historian Bruce Denault begins a series wherein he gives the history of the very people for whom Virginia Divisions are named for. He begins, naturally enough, with Thomas F. Meagher since Bruce is President of the General Meagher Division, Fredericksburg:

     Thomas Francis Meagher, (1823-1867): Thomas Francis Meagher, designer of the Irish tricolor, the Irish Republic's current flag, was born 2 August, 1823 in Waterford, Ireland.

      A Catholic, Meagher was educated by the Jesuits and studied law in Dublin. As a young man he became deeply involved in Young Ireland, a nationalistic organization that opposed British rule in Ireland. Meagher was a fiery orator and directed his invectives against Ireland's British overseers.

     After participating in the aborted Irish rebellion of 1848, Meagher was convicted of high treason. Authorities commuted his death sentence to hard labor and exiled him, like many Irish nationalists of his day, to Tasmania, Australia. After four years he escaped and made his way to New York City. He married into a prosperous merchant's family and became a leader with the New York Irish-American community.

     When the US Civil War broke out Meagher became a captain in the 69th New York militia, an Irish unit that became the nucleus of the famous Irish Brigade in the Army of the Potomac. In February, 1862, he was appointed Brigadier General of the unit. Meagher served in all of the Army's major campaigns in Virginia, and the Irish Brigade distinguished itself at the Battle of Fredericksburg, December, 1862. Meagher, however, was criticized for his unit's high casualty rates which were rumored to be a result of his heavy drinking.

     Meagher resigned his commission in 1863 when General Joseph Hooker , Commander of the Army of the Potomac, refused his request to return to New York and recruit Irish replacements for the Brigade. Meagher continued his work in the New York Irish-American community but he returned to duty and served in the Army of Tennessee in early 1865.

     After the Civil War ended President Andrew Johnson appointed Meagher Governor of the Montana Territory. Meagher died mysteriously at Fort Benton, Montana on 1 July, 1867, after  falling from the deck of a riverboat on the Missouri River. His body was never recovered.

     Meagher is honored today with a statue in front of the Montana capitol in Helena.

                         

 

13.                        CATHOLIC ACTION

Jack Devaney

jdevaneyjr@cox.net

(703) 278-8352

 

FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students):

     George Mason U. (GMU) has a Newman Club and they have FOCUS. The Newman Club alone cannot reach the students who are at most risk but the FOCUS folks can and do. They can reach out as  equals and can better relate to what's happening on the campus. FOCUS at GMU is the only FOCUS group  active in Virginia. The other Virginia universities by their isolation tend to be a bit more conservative in their behavior.  Not every college can have a FOCUS group of self-financed professionals working with their youth.  Every college, however, within the reach of a Hibernian Division could benefit in membership and set about to do some good by inviting the kids to Church and maybe a beer or a soft drink. It could possible lead to a Theology-on-Tap session or sessions which do reach young adults. It is the kind of program which brings His Excellency Fulton J. Sheen back complete with the tremendous exposure of a loving and caring Church back into our lives.

 

14.                        FREEDOM FOR ALL IRELAND

NO REPORT.

 

15.                        POLITICAL EDUCATION

NO REPORT.

 

16.                        IMMIGRATION

NO REPORT.

 

17.                        BUY IRISH

Hugh P. O'Brien

taramen@aol.com

(540) 786-4214

 

Brother Hibernians would want to review the Fall, 2007 catalogue "Creative Irish Gifts", (800)843-4538, www.shopirish.com, which has a grand array of items including clothing, jewels and decorations.                                                                                                                                                           

 

18.                        IRISH AWARENESS

John O’Hara

Oharajems@msn.com

(703) 217-5527

NO REPORT.

 

19.                        FINANCE

Please see Vice-President's report. 

 

20.                        HIBERNIAN OF THE YEAR

Please see Vice-President's report.

 

 

21.                        NEWSLETTER EDITOR/PUBLICITY

Ed Moran

kerryman@att.net

(703) 820-2854

Please see “Introduction.”          

 

22.                        CONVENTION CHAIR

NO REPORT.

 

23.                        WEBMASTER

Mike Creegan

mlcreegan@comcast.net

(703) 221-4692

 

Our Bulletin Board has not generated much interest among our members but our Bulletin Board has, however, generated a good deal of interest around the world with over two hundred attempted registrations. I have been evaluating a "Blog" software package that our web hosting company has just added for free. Mike Creegan, mlcreegan@comcast.net

 

24.                        DEGREES AND CEREMONIALS

J. J. Kelly

irishknight@cox.net

(703) 455-1507

 

The Brian Boru Major Degree Team (Virginia AOH) exemplified the major degrees for approximately 50 candidates in Bowie, Maryland on 29 April, 2007. The team is to present the major degrees at the South Carolina state convention at Hilton Head, South Carolina on Saturday, 6 October, 2007. We are in negotiations with the AOH in Kentucky for an exemplification in the not too distant future, probably in January, 2008.

 

We shall be presenting the major degrees at the AOH National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, July, 2008.  We are always looking for additional team members. Please contact me if you are interested.

 

25.                        VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

Dan Brennan

brennan@msn.com

(757) 471-7274

NO REPORT.

 

26.                        FAIRFAX COUNTY BOARD

Dan Rhoades

(703) 532-6385

 

I am currently organizing a meeting and agendas schedule and will publish same shortly.

 

27.                        PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY BOARD

Russell Keating

rkeating@transconwireless.com

(703) 392-3997

NO REPORT.

 

28.                        COLONEL JOHN FITZGERALD DIVISION (ARLINGTON)

James Rogers

james.l.rogers@comcast.net

(703) 413-3602

NO REPORT.

 

 

29.                        MSGR. BRADICAN DIVISION (ANNANDALE)

J. J. Kelly

irishknight@cox.net

(703) 455-1507

 

Father Joe Clark, a member of the Division, suffered a mild stroke recently and will be undergoing tests and evaluations to determine the cause and the extent of any damage he may have sustained. Please keep him in your prayers. Father Joe is in the process of relocating from St. Raymond's, where he has been residing for the past many months to St. Patrick's in Fredericksburg. Notes and get well cards, etc., may be sent to Father Joe at St. Patrick's, 9149/9151 Elysford Rd., Fredericksburg, VA 22407, (540)785-5299, Fax:(540)785-5692.

      The Division had a very successful outing to a Potomac Nationals baseball game in July. Twenty-five members and family attended. One of the highlights was celebrating Ed Kennedy's birthday. Everybody sang "Happy Birthday" to him. The birthday was also announced from the press box but the announcer got it a little wrong; they announced that it was Ed's 8th birthday. We all knew better;  Ed turned 39. Again.    

 

30.                        FATHER WILLIAM CORBY DIVISION (FAIRFAX)

Jack Devaney

 jdevaneyjr@cox.net

(703) 278-8352

The Division provided and set up the tent used for the Easter sunrise Mass and service.  The Division placed a memorial brass marker at the Virginia      Trails marker, which is located at the border of the cemetery and the parking lot near the meeting house at Old Saint Mary's, showing the AOH dedication of the memorial.  The Division donated a $1,000.00 scholarship to student Karistina Schleibaum.  The Division placed approximately 500 Irish and American flags on the graves in the cemetery at Historic (Old) Saint Mary's Church for Memorial Day.  Father Ephrem, the Division's chaplain, provided the invocation at the Memorial Service, Ox Hill Battle Park.  The Division provided the music and a wreath for the affair, and the color guard participated in the ceremony.  The Division will be providing all sorts of support services for the 131-year old Labor Day picnic at Saint Mary's.  Activities include raffle ticket sales, games, finance, etc.

  

31.                        LT. COLONEL JOHN A. DOWD USMC DIVISION (WOODBRIDGE)

Jack Murphy

jfkmurphy@comcast.net

(703) 497-4495

The Division provided the Color Guard for a Saint Patrick's Day March fundraiser at Waterfront Park in Alexandria, Virginia, on August 4th.  Our Catholic high school and college scholarship awards  ceremony was held at the Montclair Country Club on August 5th.  Brother John McGovern passed away in June.  Please remember him in your prayers.  Our next Division meeting is September 6th.  It is anticipated that there will be distribution of the AOH shirts, jackets, and pullovers ordered at the last Division meeting.

      

32.                        FATHER EDWIN KELLEY DIVISION (MANASSAS)

Jim Conroy

jamajirish@verizon.net

(703) 369-0480

NO REPORT.

 

33.                        GEN. THOMAS MEAGHER DIVISION (FREDERICKSBURG)

Bruce Denault

bdenault2002@yahoo.com

(540) 720-5000

The father of Bruce Denault and Jeffrey Denault passed away.  Brother Hugh O'Brien's brother, James,  passed away in July.  There will be a Memorial Mass on Saturday, 8 September at 1:00PM at Blessed Sacrament, Alexandria, Virginia.  Please keep Brothers Bruce and Jeffrey and their deceased father in your prayers.  The Division is preparing to celebrate its twenty year anniversary in November and is currently making plans for a gala celebration.  The Division had a summer picnic which was attended by members, their spouses, and children.

 

34.                        COLONEL THOMAS CUNNINGHAM, JR. DIVISION (ASHBURN)

Bob Anderson

rctta@msn.com

(703) 858-7167

NO REPORT.

 

35.                        FATHER JOHN MUNLEY DIVISION (WINCHESTER)

Will Watson

wil@watsonworldwide.net

(540)955-7006.

NO REPORT.

 

 

36.                        MAJOR JAMES H. DOOLEY DIVISION (RICHMOND)

Bob Strutton

rstrutton@aol.com

(804) 281-7244

Brothers Bob Karnes and Ron Hendricks and Ron's wife Laura passed away.   August 19th was Our Lady of Knock Mass and service at Brother Tom Murphy's abode.  September 9th is the Cmdr.  John Barry memorial at Rocketts Landing.   September 28th is the Half-way-to-Saint Patrick's Day party.  October 27th-28th, Highland games and festival jointly with the LAOH.   November 3rd, Mass for deceased AOH members.  November 11th, Veterans Day.  December 8th, Saturday Christmas party.

 

37.                        JOHN CARDINAL O’CONNOR DIVISION (WILLIAMSBURG)

Jack Cummings

nnc0392a@msn.com

(757) 229-7368

NO  REPORT.

 

38.                        ST. PATRICK DIVISION (VIRGINIA BEACH)

Dave Ray

ALICATTER@aol.com

(757) 229-7368

NO  REPORT.

 

 

 

39.                        FATHER JOHN LYNCH DIVISION (ROANOKE)

Paul Yengst

paul@yengst.com

(540) 556-8883

NO REPORT.   

 


 

 

Focus on . . .

 

This section features the biography of a Virginia AOH member.  We want to focus on a brother who is a DOER and not just a talker, a brother who does not get much attention in light of all he does.  This issue we focus on . . .   JACK DELANEY.  

       Jack DelaneyJack Delaney.jpgis a gentle giant.  Jack was born in Boston, Mass. and grew up there and in New Hampshire.  Jack has been a member of the Boston Police Department, and Jack also had an extensive career in the military known as the Strategic Air Command (SAC).  Jack had flown approximately 30 missions in Europe during and after WW2, and in his duties helping setup the Strategic Air Command Jack flew 25 polar missions.  Such flights are dangerous now and were especially dangerous when Jack was flying them.  After the military Jack married and worked in the security field.  He was involved extensively in security for such companies as the Railway Express Agency (REA), Ford, AT& T, and General Electric.  Jack was usually in an executive position regarding security (both internal and external) for these companies and was often the assistant to the Director of Security.  Jack came to the DC area to do security work for the federal government.  Jack has travelled quite a bit in his career and lived in Chicago and Schenectady, NY the most before coming to the DC metro area.  He also lived in many, many cities in the Midwest for varying periods of time.

      When Jack's sister-in-law passed away and Jack discovered that her five children would be split up by the local Child Services agency into several different families, he took all five  children into his home and raised them as his own.    

      Jack's wife passed away, and Jack found himself a widower, but not for long.  Jack met Kate Gill who was herself a widow with five children, and after pursuing her for a couple of years, he married her.  Jack and his beautiful wife currently live in Fairfax City, Virginia.

Jack was doing contract work for the F.B.I. in the DC metro area.  His specialty is doing background checks.  Jack fully retired only a few years ago.   

      Jack has been a Hibernian for over twenty years and has worked selflessly for Hibernian and Catholic causes, always quietly and with drawing no attention to himself.  He can be very quiet but once drawn out, he can tell stories of his life experiences which will leave the listener with hurting sides from laughing so much.  Jack has a wonderful self-deprecating sense of humor and his best and funniest stories and jokes he tell of himself. 

      Jack embodies always the very best of Catholicism and Hibernianism.  Those who know him all comment about how wonderful, kind, generous, and understanding he is.  He never condemns.  He never pontificates.  He always advocates understanding and forgiveness. Those of us who have been the object of his wise counsel and understanding and his wonderful stories and jokes will never, can never, forget him.  Jack is proud of his Irish heritage, proud to be Catholic, and proud to be a Hibernian.  We should all be proud of him.

     Jack Delaney is the kind of person Saint Patrick would seek advice from.        


 

 

Book Report

 

We feature books, fiction and nonfiction, of interest to the Irish and Irish-Americans.  This issue’s book report is on Trinity.

 

            Probably no book recently published captures the plight of the Irish as well as Leon Uris did in Trinity.  Uris stated many times over that he was struck by the similarities of the fortunes that befell the Jewish people and the Irish people.  James Joyce apparently agreed in that he made his main character of his magnus opus (great work) Ulysses Leopold Bloom, a Jew.  Uris wrote a sequel to Trinity called Redemption, but it never sold well.  While Trinity can even now pretty much be found in all the major bookstores, Redemption will have to be ordered from Amazon.com or an similar vast book outlet.

            For the latest news and reviews of Irish books, send your email address to http://www.readireland.ie

 

 


 

 

Culinary Delights

 

This section features reviews, good and bad, of Irish-themed pubs and restaurants.   

 

This issue we feature . . .  KATE’S IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT, Springfield.

 

      Kate's Irish Pub & Restaurant Kate's.jpg is located in Springfield.  The food is excellent and reasonable. The variety in the menu is extensive.  Kate's is owned and run by Mike Mooney and his wife, Cathy Mooney, and Mike's brother, Charlie.  Mike named the restaurant after his daughter who also shares the same name with Mike's grandmother.  The Mooneys have long been staunch supporters of Irish causes, and usually when a representative of an Irish or Irish-American group visits Kate's for support in any fashion whatsoever, the representative has not even finished asking for support when the Mooneys have a check written. They are very, very generous. There are many patrons who have lunch and/or dinner at Kate's several times a week.  Groups of students from NOVA stop in after classes.  Kate's also has live entertainment several nights a week.  Many, many Irish and Irish-Americans in  Northern Virginia make the trip to Kate's often.  There are groups who eat at Kate's regularly, and a regular group of Hibernians eat, meet and greet each other pretty much every Wednesday for lunch.

     The Mooneys have had Kate's for ten years and in that period the place has become an establishment in Northern Virginia.  People travel to Kate's from as far away as Woodbridge for the excellent food, the varied menu, the atmosphere the friendliness found there and the enjoyment of interacting with the Mooneys.

    Kate's has a frequent dining club. You can join for free and after you have purchased a small amount of dining experiences at Kate's you get your next meal free. Remember to ask for your "Kate's card" when you first go to Kate's. There are lunch specials and dinner specials every day.

   Kate's Irish Pub & Restaurant

   Open:  11:00AM-2:00AM, seven days a week.

    (703) 866-0860

    www.katesirishpub.com

   6131 Backlick Road (in the Concord Centre, next to Fischer's Hardware) Concord Centre.jpg

   Springfield, Virginia

   Rating:  5 shamrocks (highest rating).

 

 

Mooneys.jpg

                                                      Cathy and Mike Mooney

 

        The Lads is an informal group of Hibernians who meet every Wednesday for lunch in Northern Virginia.  Usually the group meets at Kate's Irish Pub from 12 Noon until 1:00PM or 1:30PM. There is no organization, no dues, no constitution, no bylaws or any other form of structure.  Just a bunch of Hibernians who enjoy telling stories, laughing and keeping each other informed of the latest news in the Irish-American community and Ireland. Sometimes only 2 lads show up and sometimes as many as 18-20.  Mike Tivnan publishes an informal weekly newsletter/schedule which he distributes every Wednesday.  The Lads also have trips to other Irish-themed-cuisine establishments and have trips to places of interest for those interested in Irish culture.  The group has been meeting for approximately ten years, and they are all still friends.  Mike Tivnan is the keeper of the flame and you should contact Mike, miketivnan@aol.com, (703) 494-4779, to find out where The Lads are meeting on a particular Wednesday.  New Lads are always welcome.   


 

 

 

Spotlighting

 

This section highlights an AOH Virginia Committee with its chairman explaining what he does.  This issue we look at the BUY IRISH Committee and its chairman, Hugh P. O’Brien.

      Hugh O'BrienHugh O'Brien.jpghas been an active Hibernian forever.  Hugh was a Virginia State president as well as having been a Division president.  Hugh's home Division is the Meagher Division (Fredericksburg).  Hugh sees the Buy Irish committee as a means to promote the sale and discovery of Irish products and the Virginia stores or other venues that sell those products.  Hugh is currently working on a statewide directory of companies and stores where Irish products can be bought.  He wants to make it a complete directory which includes products available at which stores.  As you can see by reading the Buy Irish report in this newsletter, Hugh  also keeps the Hibernians abreast of any particularly good catalog which promotes and sells Irish products.  For more information, contact Hugh O'Brien, taramen@aol.com , (540) 786-4214.

 

Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity