AOH Division 61 Joseph Patrick Schickling Monthly Newsletter 4131 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA Reach us via email at [email protected] or by phone 215-624-3007 Celebrating over 110 Years of Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity!

May 2006 Volume 11, Issue 3 90 th Anniversary of the Rising Division Calendar Monday, 24 th marked the 90 th Anniversary of the Easter Rising. Many of the AOH Monthly Meeting th signatories of the proclamation declaring ’s independence knew their cause was lost Friday, May 5 , 8 PM before it started. Theirs was the ultimate sacrifice, giving up their very lives in the hope that this

Communion Breakfast moment would be rallying point that would galvanize the nation and free Ireland from British Sunday, May 7 th 9:30 AM rule. Ireland would go on to endure a war with England and then a Civil War over a treaty LAOH Monthly Meeting responsible for dividing the Nation and segregating a minority Catholic population by the Wed., May 10 th , 7:30 PM contrived removal of 3 counties from the Ulster province, thereby insuring Protestant dominance for the next 75 years. It was during this period that Michael Collins was lost to a AOH County Texas nation cut down by his fellow countrymen. Holdem Tournament th Since those early days of the until today, Ireland has walked the tightrope Saturday, May 13 7PM and endured a number of tragedies, two Bloody Sundays and the Omagh bombing just to

Home Association Mtg. remember a few. Wed., May 17 th , 7:30 PM The Agreement brought renewed hope to Ireland and its people. However, that hope was short lived when the members of the power sharing government could agree on very Elk Neck Camping Trip little. The recent confirmed decommissioning of IRA weapons will hopefully prove to be the May 19 th thru 21 st catalyst to restoring the shared government in the North, bringing with it renewed hope for lasting peace in the North and some day unification. Tir na nOg meeting Ireland’s long history is marked by tragedy and sacrifice. As members of the AOH we strive Sunday, May 21 st 3PM to remember our culture, heritage and history but how many of us take the time to make any sort of sacrifice in the name of the AOH? There are a great many opportunities open to us: the Hibernian Hunger Project offers numerous activities; many divisions have charity events all *** with worthwhile causes and there are numerous other causes brought to the attention of our membership through newsletters and emails. Visit our website: I would like to request that every member of our division involve themselves in at least one www.aoh61.com charitable or community event sponsored by our division or any other division throughout the remainder of the year. If you do so – I think you will find that your involvement will be helping a good cause and make you feel good all at the same time. Such a small sacrifice would be a fitting way to honor the 90 th Anniversary of those that made the ultimate sacrifice.

Tom Burke

Pay your 2006 dues now! DID YOU KNOW "A substantial number of people have already paid their 2006 dues and I would like to take this 1. God Save Ireland was opportunity to thank them. However, a substantial number of people still need to pay their 2006 dues. once the National Anthem? We are trying to avoid the expense of a separate mailing reminder. Please remember that there are three

2. The tricolour used in the ways to pay your dues: 1916 Easter Rising was * At the Monthly Meetings (first Friday of each month) sold recently to an * At the club, ask the bartender for an envelope and put your name and "dues" on it anonymous bidder for * By mail, the clubs address is: €600,000? A.O.H. Division 61

4131 Rhawn St. 3. This year’s 1916 commemorations in Phila, PA 19136 mark the first time a military parade has taken place in Checks should be made out to A.O.H. Division 61 , Thanks and I will see you at our next meeting on May 5 at 8:00pm the capital in 35 years? Jack Gill

Breithlá Sona! (BREH- News from Ireland LAW SO-nuh) 120,000 attend 1916 commemoration

Happy Birthday wishes to 16 April 2006 RTE News the following Hibernians: There was an estimated 120,000 people at the 1916 commemorative parade in Dublin today.

Tom Campbell In a formal ceremony outside the GPO at noon, the President and the Taoiseach listened to a Kevin Ferguson reading of the Proclamation and observe a minute's silence. Joe Gallagher John Gormley Ms McAleese laid a wreath in honour of those who died in 1916. Al Gruber The President then took the salute as 2,500 members of all branches of the defence forces Art Hand III paraded in the capital. Tom Joyce, Sr. Tom Kelleher It included the reserve force, and members of both the Organisation of National Ex-servicemen Edward Martin and the UN veterans' association. William Norbeck Tom O'Brien III The parade also included representatives of An Garda Siochána, to honour their service with Joe Pierce the UN. Pete Puchalski Brian Scanlon The Taoiseach earlier laid a wreath in Kilmainham Jail to the men executed after the 1916 Tim Sullivan Easter Rising. Walt Vogler, Jr. Among those present in the Stonebreakers' Yard, otherwise called the Execution Plot, was Fr Joseph Mallin, son of Michael Mallin who headed the Irish Citizen Army at the Rising. Go maire tú an céad! (guh MA-ruh too uhn Mr Ahern said today's ceremonies were 'about discharging one generation's debt of honour to KYAYD) May you live to another'. be a hundred! He praised the 'pariotism and vision' of the men who, he said, 'set in train an unstoppable *** process which led to this country's political independence.' Good and Welfare We now aspire, Mr Ahern said, to a future where the next generation of Irish men and women Keep in your Prayers can confidently build on these foundations of prosperity and peace and also make their own contribution both at home and in the wider world. All our servicemen and women protecting us at And he pledged to continue to work for peace, for justice, for prosperity and for reconciliation home and abroad. between all who share and who love this special island.

*** For more on the days events including video and speeches 4TH ANNUAL FISHTOWN http://www.rte.ie/news2/2006/0416/parade.html SUPPORTS OUR TROOPS RALLY Recent Division Events Sponsored By Both the Kevin M. Pierce Memorial Basketball Marathon and our Night at the Races held on the AOH / LAOH Div 51 – Fishtown weekend of April 8-9 were successful and well attended. Many thanks to Tim Cawley (BBall Chair) Elm Tree Post #88 – American Legion and Dom Roberto (Night at the Races – Chair) for organizing and running these events. Also thanks Fishtown Neighbors Association to all those that either volunteered or participated in these events helping to make both of them successful. SATURDAY, MAY 20TH, ***** 12:00 NOON PENN TREATY PARK Upcoming Division Events

*** Communion Mass and Breakfast May 7th LAOH Division 39 Breast Mass - St. Dominic's Church – 9:30 Cancer Awareness Walk Breakfast @ Division 61 Hall immediately after Mass. Saturday, May 13, 2006 *** 3k walk around the Perzel Annual Camping Trip - May 19 - 21 Elk Neck State Park Community Center Break out the bug spray and sunscreen. Clean off the grill and dust off the tents. Join our intrepid bunch Registration: 8:30 AM of outdoor Hibernians as they make their annual return to nature. For info on details or to reserve a site, contact Steve Newton.

Sam Maguire (1879-1927) Hibernian Happenings

A republican after whom the Sam Maguire Div. 51 Annual Golf Tourney Cup is named. Born in Dunmanway, Co. SATURDAY, MAY 6TH, 2006 Cork, like his friend Michael Collins he 7:30 AM SHOTGUN START worked in the Post Office in London, and VALLEY BROOK COUNTRY CLUB was a keen sportsman, captaining the BLACKWOOD, NJ London Gaelic football teams that contested in the All-Ireland football finals of $80.00 PER GOLFER 1900, 1901, and 1903. He was Collins’ ************************************************************* director of Intelligence in London and a major force in the IRB. After independence Volley for Life Volleyball Tournament he returned to a civil service job in Dublin. In Memory Of JoAnne Duffy He died of tuberculosis in February 1927. Sponsored by LAOH Division 25 Peader Kearney wrote of Maguire: Saturday, May 13th @ 10:00 am. LAWNCREST RECREATION CENTER

Rising Sun & Comly Sts. Your kindly generous smile gave strength to all Registration fee: $20 per player (6 players per team-at least 2 women) Who grasped your hand in that great Registration form and Waiver Form brotherhood Waiting throughout the years for Eire’s call. There will be a post tournament party at Curley’s Pub (Krewstown & Bloomfield) $1 pints, free wings and pizza Contact Tricia McCoy at (215) 353-6982 or e-mail: [email protected] ************************************************************* Bealtaine Mí na Bealtaine "month of the Mary Kate's Legacy Foundation Bealtaine festival" is the name for the 1st Annual Golf Tournament month of May in modern Irish . Monday, May 15, 2006 In , the beginning of Torresdale-Frankford Country Club the year for the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Milesians started at Bealtaine, great Chairman: Bob Lutz would herald in the Co-Chair: Tom Marlow in the hope of good harvest, prosperity and well being to all. Early Gaelic Benefiting: MARY KATE’S LEGACY Further info on the tourney is available sources from around the 10th century http://www.marykateslegacy.com/golf.html state that the would create a ************************************************************* need-fire on top of a hill on this day and rush the village's cattle through the Annual Kevin Pierce Memorial Golf Tourney fires to purify them and bring luck Sponsored by Division 61 People would also go between the fires Saturday, June 24th to purify themselves. This was echoed Northampton Valley C.C. throughout history after Scramble - Shotgun Start 2 PM Christianization , with lay people $125/golfer - includes lunch, golf, cart, buffet dinner, prizes instead of priests creating the need-fire. The festival persisted widely Bus at Div. 61 at Approx. 12:00 Noon for those who wish not to drive. Pickup at up until the 1950s , and in some places course and return to Div. 61 There is no extra charge for this service. Contact the celebration of Beltane continues Marlow or Reilly in advance. today. To enter a foursome or sponsor a hole, call:

Tom Reilly 215-974-4126 John Marlow

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Irish Monks and the Voyage of St. Brendan St. Brendan d.583 Feastday: May 16 The case that can be made for trans-Atlantic voyages by medieval Irish monks is a reasonable one. We know that Ireland was the centre for a vigorous culture during the fifth and sixth centuries CE, preserving Christian civilization in Northern Europe after the decline and collapse of the Roman Empire. During this period, Irish monks ventured out into the North Atlantic in pursuit of some kind of spiritual or divine mission. They reached the Hebrides, Orkneys, and Faeroe Artist unknown. From Rev. Denis O'Donoghue, Islands. The Norse sagas suggest that Irish St. Brendan the Voyager (Dublin: Brown & monks were even in Iceland when the Norse Nolan, 1893) frontispiece. settled there after about 870 CE (though no archaeological evidence has yet confirmed this).

Such accomplishments add authenticity to the story of St. Brendan, who was born in Ireland about 489 and founded a monastery at Clonfert, Galway. According to legend, he was in his seventies when he and 17 other monks set out on a westward voyage in a curragh, a wood- framed boat covered in sewn ox-hides. The monks sailed about the North Atlantic for seven years, according to details set down in the Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis in the tenth century.

Eventually, they reached "the Land of Promise of the Saints," which they explored before returning home with fruit and precious stones found there. Had Brendan reached , using the islands of the North Atlantic as stepping-stones? In 1976 and 1977, the adventurer Tim Interested in being an AOH 61 Severin demonstrated that such a voyage was possible by building the Brendan , a replica of a sponsor – contact us at curragh, and sailing it to Newfoundland. If Irish monks did voyage across the Atlantic and back, then their achievement was historically very significant, for Ireland was the target of Viking raids [email protected] before the end of the eighth century, and it is perhaps through the Irish that the Norsemen learned about other lands further to the west. ©1997, Newfoundland Labrador Heritage Web Site

AOH Officers This Month in Irish History

Jack Gill, President , Joe Campbell, Vice- , 1170 Arrival of Normans in County Wexford. Arrival of Richard de Clare, President , Joe Schickling, Financial Earl of Pembroke, subsequently known as 'Strongbow'. Secretary , Jim Leonard, Treasurer , Tom Reilly, Recording Secretary , Jay Costello, May 1798 Arrest and death of Lord Edward Fitzgerald. United Irishmen Rebellion in Chmn. Stndg. Comm., Ed Rodriguez, Midlands. Marshall , Mike Kenney, Jr., Sentinel , John Hagan, Organizer, Joe Beggin, Historian May 6, 1882 'Phoenix Park murders' - The assassination of the British chief secretary Steve Newton, Steward , Bill Kuntz, Past- of Ireland, Lord Frederick Cavendish, and his under secretary, T.H. Burke. Both were President, PJ Clerkin, Chris Mullen, Mike stabbed to death as they walked in Dublin's Phoenix Park by members of a nationalist McCrane –Trustees, Rev. James A. Lyons , secret society, the Invincibles. Chaplain Division 61 Club Hours May 3-12, 1916 Executions of leaders of Easter Rising. Sundays Noon – 10PM Mondays 7PM - Midnight May 1923 Irish Civil War ends. Tuesday 6PM – Midnight Thursday 6PM – Midnight WORDS TO PONDER Fridays 6PM - 2 AM Saturdays Noon - 2 AM "It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no person can sincerely try to help another without helping themselves." - Ralph Waldo Emerson Come out and enjoy some good "When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such times! a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." Old Indian Saying

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

Ancient Order of Hibernians PO Box 65576 Philadelphia, PA 19155