General Thomas F. Meagher
Division 1, Spotsylvania, Virginia

"Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity"
Dia 's Muire dhuit!

The General Thomas Francis Meagher Division, Spotsylvania, Va, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) in America lives our motto of: "Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity". 

Our membership represents four parishes:  St. Patrick's, St. Jude, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, and St. William of York. We work to bring Irish heritage, culture, and traditions to the forefront and support several Irish, Catholic, local area charities and local Catholic education.

UPCOMING Events

ROSE OF TRALEE 2010

The Rose of Tralee Festival celebrates Irish culture and spirit while strengthening the connections between Irish communities around the world.  The final competition in Tralee, Ireland is open to young women of Irish descent from around the world.  As Aoife Kelly, a recent Rose said, in a Washington Post article, “They (judges) look at your education, values and beliefs, your capacity for community service, and your communication skills.”  Each Rose, therefore, should possess an inner beauty, character, confidence and charisma that reflect the qualities of today's modern women of Irish descent.

This is an exciting time for the Irish-American community in Fredericksburg since the winner of the Meagher Rose of Tralee selection will be sponsored (Accommodations and $500 contest application) to compete in the Washington D.C. selection.  The winner of the Washington D.C.  Rose of Tralee competition will receive an all expense paid trip to enter in the 50th International Rose of Tralee Festival later this summer in County Kerry, Ireland.  A contest description and application for the 2010 competition are below.

St. Patrick's Day 2010

 

In addition to sponsoring a Rose of Tralee we plan several annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations. On the Saturday before March 17th, the AOH leads the parade in the Spotsylvania Business Park at noon.

That evening the Meagher Division will host a family dinner at St. William of York from 6-10pm.

Annual Events

International Fall Festival

The Meagher Division co-coordinates St. Mary's International Fall Festival.  There is always great food and family fun. All enjoy Music, Magic, Song and Dance. A wide variety of ethnic fare and entertainment are prepared and supplied by St. Mary parishioners.  

The Meagher AOH believes a robust parish life strengthens the role of St. Mary’s as a “stewardship parish,” a community of people who actively use all their gifts to build the kingdom of God

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Last year food sales were a-la-carte from each table and gross proceeds (more than $1,000) were donated to St. Mary's and parish organizations. The event was organized by the Ancient Order or Hibernians, the Council of Catholic Women and the St. Mary Hispanic Ministry. 

KIRKLAND MEMORIAL

A memorial service is held at 2:00 pm on the second Sunday in December for the participants of the Battle of Fredericksburg at the Sgt Kirkland monument at 1013 Lafayette Blvd in Fredericksburg.  Our division presents a wreath of boxwood in honor of General Meagher and his Irish Brigade.  An informal reception follows.

MEMBERSHIP IN THE MEAGHER AOH

Now is a great time to join the finest Irish Catholic Organization in the World. For membership inquiries contact Jeffrey Fitzpatrick, Financial Secretary, at 898-8597 or fredredva@yahoo.com.

Fredericksburg, Virginia - Instituted: November 11, 1987

Meeting Time: 3rd Tuesday, 7:30PM - Membership: 29

Meeting Location: Fredericksburg Knights of Columbus Council Home, 4724 Harrison Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

On November 17^th 2009, as part of the regular business meeting, we elected our Division Officers for the next calendar year.