General Thomas F. Meagher Division
Spotsylvania Division No. 1
www.fredericksburgaoh.org

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 mission expanded to include not only aid and comfort to priests, but to the Irish people as a whole.

AOH in America
www.aoh.com

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, 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.

The General Thomas F. Meagher Division

The General Thomas F. Meagher (pronounced “Maaar”) is one of 13 divisions in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Father John J. Munley (St Mary of the Immaculate Conception) was instrumental in founding our 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, General 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 Shelter, the Paul-Stefan House, local Catholic elementary school students accepted for attendance at area Catholic High Schools, parish summer work camps, and more. Each year we commemorate Irish Brigade losses in Battle of Marye Heights in Fredericksburg and participate in wreath laying ceremonies at the Sergeant Kirkland Memorial. We participate in Irish cultural events, including the annual Rose of Tralee contest, St Patrick celebrations, parades and area International Festivals.

Our monthly meetings (third Tuesday 7:30 PM at the K of C Hall, 4724 Harrison Road, Fredericksburg) include a formal business meeting followed by a social segment often including guest speakers and/or discussions on current issues in Ireland, Irish/Irish-American history, genealogy, and Irish culture and traditions.