Volume 4, Issue 2 December 2012—January 2013

THE CRESCENT HARP

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS IN LOUISIANA

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 DECEMBER 2012—JANUARY 2013

FOLLOW THE LOUISIANA IRISH CULTURAL MUSEUM OPENS AOH ON-LINE http://aohla.com IN THE FRENCH QUARTER Facebook: Louisiana State Board of The history of the French Quarter has often been sum- leaders, to only mention a few. They brought to life a the Ancient Order of Hibernians marized as: “established by the French, designed by the monument to the vibrant culture of the City's Irish and Spanish, built by the Africans, their heritage, and a first-of-its- owned by the Italians, and po- kind Museum in New Orleans. liced by the Irish.” At long last, The Irish Cultural Museum of this last (but certainly not least) New Orleans is intended to raise group finally has a museum of its public awareness of the contribu- own in the French Quarter. tions that Ireland, her people and Thanks to the tireless efforts of her culture have made to New history of New Orleans and its cul- AOH Brother and State Secretary Orleans since colonial beginnings. ture are better understood when Matthew Ahearn, the Irish Cul- It does so in a historic French viewed from different perspectives tural Museum of New Orleans Quarter setting that is tranquil, The Museum’s location at 933 has opened on Conti Street in the inviting and friendly. Our loca- (Above) The front of the newly opened Irish Conti Street in the French Quarter is Vieux Carre. A product of per- Cultural Museum on Conti Street in the French tion at 933 Conti Street is very walking distance from the City’s severance and faith, Br. Ahearn’s Quarter. (Below) The portrait room of the mu- accessible with convenient park- major hotels and world famous res- project began in the wake of Hur- seum, featuring the portraits of James Gallier ing. Visit our website at taurants, with easy parking and con- ricane Katrina. and Blessed Margaret Haughery of New Or- www.icmnola.com for more venient transportation, making it the The project came to fruition leans. information. perfect place to develop Cultural with the November 11, 2011 New Orleans has an extremely Tourism. From this location visitors groundbreaking by Ireland’s U.S. active, passionate, and increas- can easily explore the culture, lore Ambassador, H.E. Michael ingly organized Irish community, and beauty of New Orleans. Collins. While the Museum con- and it is growing. Historically What can a local and visitor ex- tinues to develop in perpetuity, having the second largest Irish pect when visiting the museum? the initial project was a two year population in the South (25% by The visitor to the Irish Cultural collaboration of very passionate, the 1860’s), New Orleans natu- Museum can expect a tranquil, invit- exceptional individuals; A/V rally has a plethora of Irish land- ing and friendly atmosphere among a producers, researchers, archi- marks, leading citizens (past and picturesque French Quarter court- vists, historians, computer pro- present), cultural influences, civic yard and buildings. They will have an grammers, architectural designers, and community institutions, and fascinating characters and stories. The opportunity to view the award winning documentary “Irish in New Orleans”, to experience two interac- HIBERNIANS RALLY FOR SANDY RELIEF tive kiosks, view art exhibits, static exhibits and displays, listen to tradi- tional Irish music, relax in the library research room, arrange for private tours, and attend periodic heritage events. The visitor will learn the untold history and stories of Irish adventur- ers, soldiers, mercenaries, priests, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, public servants and others, and of the sacrifices and contributions these unsung heroes have made to our city. From the appointment in 1769 (Left) AOH State President Joseph Casler, unknown, New Orleanian Lee Kelly, and Monmouth, New Jersey AOH County of Irish military strategist Alexander Vice-President Gerry Ward with supplies brought to Sandy victims from New Orleans. (Right) Irish Musicians Danny Burns O'Reilly as the second governor of and Aine O’Doherty play session at Finn McCool’s Irish Pub. The AOH raised $1000 on short notice to help AOH members (Continued on page 5) affected by Hurricane Sandy. PHeAGE 2 THE CRESCENT HARP

THE CRESCENT HARP FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Editor-in-Chief John T. Browne When Hurricane Katrina gave tated the northeast, Louisiana Editorial Staff Hibernians in Louisiana a knock- Hibernians went into action. We John D. Fitzmorris III out blow, our brother (and sister) had a fundraiser at Finn McCool's Stanton McNeely Hibernians in the northeast came Irish Pub and raised about Jeremy Hughes Ex-Officio to our aid. Through the AOH $1000. Individuals added to that Joseph Casler Charities, as an example, they sent and, as you can read in Joe Casler's Harold Burke every member of the Ladies An- report, he personally delivered our Mark Foley cient Order of Hibernians $500 to contributions to the AOH Hall in Martin Kearney help them recover. Monmouth County, New Jersey. Ronald Burke ——————————- When Hurricane Sandy devas- That's what Brotherhood is all about. ARTICLE SUBMISSION VIA: DITORIAL N ND TO IOLENCE HENEVER AND HEREVER [email protected] E - A E V ...W W [email protected] There are no words, no phrases that Newtown is, of course, a name now clergy, it is common, Catholic sense Please submit all photos via .jpeg one can put together to make sense of emblazoned on our hearts and con- to know that the first thing we can do the devastation caused by disasters. sciences—along with Aurora and Col- is pray. Pray for peace, pray for the ARTICLE DEADLINES: What people need when such events umbine and Tucson and the many victims, pray for the families, and— November 15 occur are not words but instead pres- places where death has held high carni- yes—even pray for the perpetrators of February 15 ence and effort and an understanding val far too often and needlessly. these crimes. May 15 August 15 that grief needs be let alone to run its When the majority raise our hands The second thing we as Hibernians course and not interrupted by well- in despair and frustration and ask what can do is offer ourselves in the true meant but inappropriate utterances. could we have done and what could spirit of Christian Charity. We stand Thursday, January 17th – Even more so when such devastation is we possibly do in the future, perhaps always at the ready to offer our com- Hannan / Gibbons the loss of not one child but twenty we need look at what others have done fort and support. Meeting @ St Dominic children, murdered in school—the in the past. Last but not least, we as Hibernians Tuesday, March 5th – one place other than the home where And what others have done is often must remember always to put our Hannan / Gibbons they should have been safest. remarkable and provides a good tem- children first and foremost. Our chil- Meeting @ St Dominic When such events occur—and plate for us. In the Ardoyne Section of dren are our most precious resource, please God, may they never ever occur North Belfast, Fr. Aidan Troy of Holy and our Hibernian motto is as much an Friday, March 8th - Prac- again—rather than talk, one and all of Cross School witnessed his young girls example for our children to emulate as tice March @ French us should act. walking through a section of town anything else. While the recent events Quarter No, this is not a column that will where the residents hurled insults, have led many on all sides to pontifi- Thursday, March 14th - engage in the hot-button issues that rocks, garbage, and even worse cate and take sides and offer dogmatic Block Party @ Annun- have become over-politicized in the items—for nothing more than being of solutions, the only dogma that ciation Square / St. Mi- past few weeks. No, this column calls a different religion—he did not shout emerges from Newtown is that chil- chael's Schoo us all as Hibernians and men of faith to invectives from the pulpit or call for dren and human life in general are step forward and say, “This is what I reprisals. He simply marshaled the precious, and it is our duty as Hiber- Saturday, March 16th - shall do to end the violence. This is forces for peace and began building a nians to lead the charge in its protec- St. Patrick's Day Parade what WE shall do to make our chil- community center where the needless tion. @ Irish Channel dren safe again. This is what all of us walls of religious division could be Sunday, March 17th - St. NEED to do to make sure that what eroded through the power of Christian Patrick's Day Mass @ St happened in Newtown, Connecticut love. Patrick's Church and never happens again.” While we leave the specifics of Banquet @ Sheraton spirituality to our brothers in the

Pete's is Lafayette's oldest Family Sports Restaurant Weekly Lunch Specials World Famous Big Pete Burger Special Wednesday night and Saturday Lunch Party Rooms available at no charge Proud Supporter of All Louisiana Athletics PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE AOH

We show all Your Favorite Games on our 46 TV's Great Food, Great Friends, Great Fun www.petesonjohnston.com 3903 Johnston St. Lafayette, LA 70503 337.981.4670 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 PAGE 3 STATE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Happy New Year! Much has oc- Blessing and Dedication Ceremony per- curred since our last edition of the formed by Father Neal McDermott, Crescent Harp was published. In Octo- O.P. on December 20th. Brother Mat- ber, we had another successful Irish thew Ahearn has invited all Hibernians Night. Many thanks again to those who to come and visit the museum and has supported the event! We could not encouraged donations of books or other have done it without you. The success materials to the museum’s library to of the fundraiser allows us to support increase its collection and to provide various Hibernian charities and Irish museum visitors with additional oppor- cultural events, such as the Oireachtas – tunities to study the history of the many Southern Regional Irish Dancing Cham- Irish contributions to the City of New pionship which was held in New Or- Orleans. Plans are in the works to post leans in early December. Also, in the a display containing a history of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the State AOH in Louisiana, along with pictures all too well, recovery is a lengthy proc- Board was able to make a contribution of past Hibernian activities. More de- ess and our brothers will need our con- to the National AOH’s Storm Relief tails will be announced soon. tinued support, both financially and oth- Fund, as have many of our Divisions and I would also like to commend our erwise. If you have not already contrib- individual members. Speaking of storm brothers from the West Florida Division uted to the Storm Relief Fund, please relief, I was fortunate enough to join a in Tangipahoa for holding a very suc- consider doing so. Every contribution group of guys who put together the “Big cessful Irish Christmas Concert on De- is helpful, no matter the amount. Hope Easy to Big Apple Hurricane Relief cember 9th. Their ongoing charitable does not have a price tag. Anything you Caravan.” In mid-November, we gath- efforts in support of their community can do to help provides hope for a bet- ered donations of hurricane relief sup- are a shining example for all of us. ter day and is much appreciated. plies and drove them up to drop off As we turn the corner and move Finally, in the wake of the unspeak- points in New Jersey and New York. into 2013, there is much to look for- able tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary Our drop off in South Jersey was the ward to. We will be attending the Ash School in Newtown, Connecticut, I AOH Hall in Monmouth County, home Wednesday Mass at St. Louis Cathedral would ask you to pray for the victims of Vol. Patrick Torphy Division 2. If again at the invitation of Archbishop and their families. Pray that God will you ever get a chance, you should stop Aymond. We have the St. Patrick’s ease their pain and suffering and that by that hall. I wish I had been there un- Day Parade, Mass and Banquet. Thank- somehow hope will be restored to all in der better circumstances, but I can tell fully, not all on the same day this year! that community. you that in spite of the ravages of Sandy, The Acadian Division’s Annual Craw- In closing, I pray that each of you the spirit of Hibernianism is alive and fish Boil is always a delight the week has a happy, healthy and blessed 2013! well in New Jersey! after St. Patrick’s Day and we have our Closer to home, we have had an- state convention set to take place this other significant development. The summer. In the meantime, though, let Irish Cultural Museum of New Orleans us not forget the hardships that many of is officially open for business. Many our brothers in the Northeast face in the Hibernians participated in a formal wake of Hurricane Sandy. As we know LADIES AOH - ROSE OF TRALEE Nora Lambert, President of New Orleans parking. world to participate in regional competi- Rose Association, and Blanche Moule- Proceeds will help the 2013 New Or- tion in Portlaoise. Ireland, in May in the doux Comiskey sponsored a fun fund- leans Rose, sponsored by AOH, to com- hope of being chosen, as Lisa was, to ad- raiser on Sunday, January 13, at Mrs. Co- pete in the International Rose of Tralee vance to the final in August. miskey’s home, 1100 City Park Ave. The Festival in Ireland this summer. Two trips equals double the travel ex- admission included festive drinks, appe- As Lisa Brady, the 2012 New Orleans pense. tizers, entertainment by pianist Amass Rose, learned, the current format re- Miller and harpist Luke Berger, and free quires local Roses from throughout the VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 PAGE 4 IN MEMORIAM MR. JOSEPH FARRELL Father of Brother Kenneth Farrell MRS. ROSE MOTTO WINDHORST Mother of Liz Rafferty, Mother-in-Law of the late Jim Rafferty MRS. BETTY BROWNE Friend of the Hibernians PRAYERS MASTER CARSON KELLOGG Newborn Son of Brother Alden Kellogg BROTHER STEPHEN FITZGERALD Expecting Hibernian Father BROTHER KEVIN DONOHUE AOH New York RAYMOND EVERARD Friend of the Hibernians ELAINE PALMER Mother of Brother Richard Palmer and ALL OF OUR MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN SERVING OVERSEAS THE IRISH MUSEUM New Orleans", a culturally authentic portrait of Reales (silver coins), gunflints, bone buttons, (Continued from page 1) the Irish in New Orleans. antebellum glass bottles, clay pipe stems, and Perhaps the most impressive displays in the “Yellowware”, ceramic tableware manufactured in Louisiana, to the thousands of Irish who perished Museum are two large portraits on canvas; one of the 1830’s and 1840’s. digging the New Basin Canal, the Irish Cultural Blessed Margaret Haughery with two orphans by The first home on the property, built about Museum of New Orleans traces the city's Irish 1780, was in the Spanish expansion of the city, Heritage through rarely seen archival maps, pho- outside of the original French settlement. It is tographs, and newspaper articles. located near Rampart Street, where the Spanish Among the static displays, an immigration dis- built a fortified wall for the protection and de- play overviews Irish immigration from the begin- fense of the city. The property was also outside of ning of the Spanish Colony. A church display the footprint of two fires in 1788 and 1794 that features eight Irish Churches, graphically repre- burned large portions of the Spanish Colonial city. sented and keyed to an antique map depicting the The property was owned by a Free Woman of spread of Irish communities in New Orleans. In Color, Magdeleine Rillieux, and Jean Robert, a addition, a New Basin Canal exhibit displays the male refugee from Saint-Dominque, from 1808 to 1827 US Secretary of War recommendations, the 1832. Records indicate that Irish and Italian immi- 1831 Charter and Cost Estimates, and a map ex- grants were also among the series of property hibit showing the six mile route of the New Basin owners. Entrepreneur and philanthropist John Michael and Luke Ahearn (center) show AOH Chap- Canal. Last but not least, there are exhibits for lain Fr. Neal McDermott, O.P. one of the many McDonogh acquired the property in 1847, and Politics and Public Service; Gallier Hall and the exhibits on display in the new Irish Cultural Mu- was sold nine years after McDonogh’s death in legacy of the City's Irish Tax Assessors, Police- seum. Fr. McDermott formally blessed the new 1850 to Silvestre Blasini, an oyster vendor. men, Firemen, and Mayors. museum on December 13 as many Hibernians gath- Each Thursday, Brother Ahearn invites the The Irish Museum also has an impressive num- ered for fellowship and a brief tour of the facility. public to an Open House at the Museum in the ber of artifacts, including the San Patricio Medal- The museum is located on Conti Street next door to afternoon for fellowship. lion, a medallion commissioned by the Mexican the famous Museé Conti (Wax Museum). The AOH salutes the hard efforts of Brother Government in 1847 in honor of the Irish San Ahearn to finally give the Irish a center for their Patricios - Irish-American soldiers who served in Jacques Amans c. 1842 (reproduced courtesy of heritage in the heart of the French Quarter. Mexican Army. The AOH has several artifacts as Roger Houston Ogden Collection) and the other well, including the Ancient Order of Hibernians of James Gallier, Irish born American Architect, Medallions and Marching Shawl, which date to who designed New Orleans’ City Hall on St. around 1902, and several Rose of Tralee Medal- Charles and St. Patrick’s Church on Camp Street. lions. The Irish Cultural Museum of New Orleans is Last but not least, are a series of anthropologi- located on a historic French Quarter property. In cal artifacts uncovered during the Museum's ar- January 2012 the Department of Anthropology at cheology excavation of its present day site. the University of New Orleans in partnership A small auditorium in the back of the museum with the museum conducted an archaeological features the award winning documentary "Irish excavation. Artifacts discovered included Spanish

REPUBLIC OF WEST FLORIDA NEWS The Christmas Season got an early start when AOH's West Florida Division presented "An Irish Christmas" on Decem- ber 9 in Ponchatoula. Members from several divisions enjoyed musical entertainment furnished by six groups: St. Jo- seph's School Children's Bell Choir, St. Joseph's School Children's Choir, St. Thomas Aquinas High School Choir, the Alissa Rowe Carolers of SLU accompa- nied by SLU Violinists and Horns, So- prano Cynthia W. Davidson, and North- shore Irish Dance Performance Academy. Guests also enjoyed an elaborate buffet at the event where donations of ALL ticket sales were made to local care- giving institutions: A check for $1000 AOH Republic of West Florida Division President Martin Kearney (second from right) and Judge James Kuhn was presented to TARC and $10,000 to (center) presents a check for $10,000 to OPTIONS Charity. The AOH raised their funds through their Annual OPTIONS. “Irish Christmas” celebration on December 9. BIG WHEEL NOVELTIES, INC. PLACE YOUR AD HERE 2712 Florida Avenue Kenner, LA 70062 504-464-0523 1/4 Page Ad - $100.00 or 800-375-6853

www.bigwheelnovelties.com 1/2 Page Ad - $200.00

Irish gifts, novelties, beads, & party supplies. We custom imprint over 500 items. Full Page Ad - $400.00 Open year round.

Adrian A. D’Arcy Shields Mott Lund LLP IN-NOLA President

Adrian is a partner with the law firm of Shields Mott Lund LLP. Adrian’s primary area of practice is commercial litigation, specializing in construction litigation. Adrian is the Chairman of the New Orleans Bar Association’s Construc- tion Committee. Adrian is also involved in the growing practice associated with Green Building and has obtained the LEED “Green Associate” designation. Adrian graduated cum laude from Loyola Law School (New Orleans) in 2004. Adrian was born in Dublin City in Ireland but had the benefit of being raised in beautiful County Kerry. He attended University College Dublin and obtained his B.A.(Hons)in Economics from UCD in 1990. After graduating, Adrian moved to New York where he spent eight years in restaurant management with the Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group. In 1998 Adrian opened the New Orleans’ Smith & Wollensky restaurant and enrolled in law school two years later. Adrian attended law school at night while working in Smith & Wollensky. Adrian is a founding member of Irish Network New Orleans and is both an officer and board member of Irish Net- work USA, currently serving as IN USA’s National Events Director. He has been a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians since 1998 and has been an active member of the Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Club in New Orleans since 1999. Adrian is also committed to promoting youth soccer in New Orleans and currently is the commissioner of the Carrollton Booster spring soccer program and a Carrollton Booster board member.

Adrian had the fortune to meet a good Dublin girl, Karen, while in UCD. After graduating UCD in 1992, Karen moved to New York and they married in 1997. Karen is also a member of Irish Network New Orleans and is president of UCD’s Alumni group in Louisi- ana. Adrian and Karen have two wonderful children; Grainne and Conor who now have burgeoning southern accents. Adrian is committed to IN-New Orleans harnessing the goodwill and energy of the diverse Irish Community in the city to promote Irish cultural awareness in the city and to promote New Orleans to the sister Irish Networks, the North American Irish Community, and the country of Ireland.

3701 Banks Street New Orleans, LA 70119 (504) 486-9080 finnmccools.com

Voted the Best Neighborhood bar in Gambit Weekly

Rated the Best Irish Pub in the Southern United States

BooKoo BBQ 12– 4:30 p.m., 6-10:00 p.m. RIBS ON SATURDAY

YOUR PREMIER PLACE FOR SOCCER AND WHO DATS

50” Plasma Screen and 8 ft. projector screens

Mondays—Trivia Night Tuesdays—Dart League Wednesday—Pool League Thursdays—Scrabble and Board Game Night

6 Nations Rugby—$10 on game day Football @ Finn’s...GOAAAALLLLL!!! Members’ Beer Bucket Specials

THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS IN LOUISIANA P.O. BOX 19569 NOLA 70179-0569 Phone: 504-952-9925 E-mail: [email protected] http://aohla.com

STATE OFFICERS

Joseph Casler - PRESIDENT Kenneth farrell - VICE-PRESIDENT Matthew ahearn - FIN. SECRETARY b.j. Eckholdt - TREASURER JEREMY HUGHES - rec. secretary

The AOH has “gone green!” The AOH now e-mails The Crescent Harp to all who have e-mails. If you still want a paper copy for future issues, please let us know at [email protected] or call 504-952-9925.