THE CRESCENT HARP

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS IN

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 MARCH—MAY 2013

FOLLOW THE LOUISIANA JAMES FRANCIS MCKAY III AOH ON-LINE http://aohla.com HIBERNIAN OF THE YEAR Facebook: Louisiana The Ancient Order of Hibernians in Louisiana, Circuit Court of Appeals. His leadership to the State Board of Philip M. Hannan Division, James Cardinal Gib- nation’s judiciary includes service as president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians bons Division, Republic of West Florida Division, the American Judges Association and a member of Fr. Thomas “Mossy” Gallagher Division, and Aca- the American Judges Association Board of Gover- dian Division proudly announce Chief Judge nors since 1996. He is also a member of the James Francis McKay III of Louisiana’s Fourth American Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Circuit Court of Appeals as Hibernian of the Year Association, Fourth and Fifth Circuit District for 2013. Judges Association, and the St. Thomas More Law Chief Judge McKay will Society. receive the award at the McKay was elected to the 137th annual St. Patrick’s Louisiana Fourth Circuit Day Banquet March 17 at Court of Appeal in 1998. 7 p.m. at the Sheraton He served as judge at Hotel on Canal Street in Criminal District Court in . Orleans Parish from 1982

Long active in Irish af- to 1998. He was the Chief fairs, McKay, of New Or- Prosecutor for the Metro- leans, serves as Honorary politan Office of the State Consul of Ireland in Lou- Attorney General from isiana. He has been a na- 1978 to 1982. From 1974- AY

tional leader of the Ancient 1978, he served as an As- D

Order of Hibernians sistant District Attorney

(AOH), the oldest and for Orleans Parish. S

largest Irish-Catholic or- McKay attended St. Domi- ’ ganization in the United nic Elementary and Middle States, established in 1836. School and De La Salle McKay has served AOH in High School in New Or- numerous offices includ- leans. He remains active in ing, National Vice President; chairman of the 94th the affairs of St. Dominic Church and serves as a

National Convention; Chairman of Grievance board member and past president of the De La PECIAL DITION

Tribunals; Chairman of the Constitution Revision Salle Alumni Association. He is also a member of

S E Committee, 2002; Chairman of the Home Fund, the Knights of Columbus St. Dominic Council. ATRICK 1998-2000; National Board Member, 1994-2000; McKay earned his Juris Doctor degree from and Vice-Chairman of the 1992 National Conven- Loyola University School of Law. He is married to tion in New Orleans. Marie Soniat McKay and they have four children, P .

A distinguished jurist, McKay was inducted James IV, Michael, Katherine Laura, and Colleen, T

recently as Chief Judge of the Louisiana’s Fourth as well as six grandchildren. S SUNDAY, MARCH 17 FEAST OF ST. PATRICK, APOSTLE OF IRELAND Mass - St. Patrick’s Church - 11:00 a.m. 137th Annual AOH St. Patrick’s Day Banquet Downtown Sheraton 6:30 p.m. P AGE 2 THE CRESCENT HARP EDITORIAL - A LONG TIME COMING THE CRESCENT HARP Editor-in-Chief It was back in 1988 that the spread Hibernianism, recruited 1990s, another National Conven- John T. Browne Editorial Staff AOH had dwindled to a handful of new members, and developed new tion in New Orleans, National John D. Fitzmorris III men, and the AOH National Board ways to foster appreciation for our Treasurer, and now National Vice- Stanton McNeely began discussing whether to deacti- Irish-Catholic heritage. However, President. In the process, the Na- Jeremy Hughes vate a division that had existed for all of us who have done so have had tional AOH now knows that the Ex-Officio over a hundred years in New Or- the benefit of the guiding hand of strength of Irish America lies not Joseph Casler Harold Burke leans. the man we have come over time just in the Northeast or in the Mid- Mark Foley At that point a small group of simply to call “The Judge.” west around Chicago but in New Martin Kearney men got together and decided to Not always an easy hand, not Orleans and the South as well. Ronald Burke breathe life into the moribund or- always the kindest hand, but always Even more important, Irish- ——————————- ARTICLE SUBMISSION ganization. Twenty-five years the best hand, and always the most Americans have reassumed their VIA: later, the Ancient Order of Hiber- Irish hand. The Judge’s commit- places among the leaders of the [email protected] nians in Louisiana boasts more than ment and dedication to our An- New Orleans community and re- [email protected] three hundred members in five cient Order has not just translated newed their sense of heritage and Please submit all photos divisions throughout the state; and itself into success for the Hiber- identity. via .jpeg one Hibernian’s vision and effort nians in Louisiana, his ability to Not a bad legacy for Jim McKay ARTICLE DEADLINES: stands at the center. network and wage influence trans- and one certainly worthy of being November 15 Chief Judge Jim McKay. lated itself into New Orleans host- named Hibernian of the Year. February 15 May 15 Many of us have stepped up to ing an AOH National Convention August 15 positions of leadership in those for the first time in a century, a twenty-five years and have helped National Director’s position in the EDITORIAL - REPACKAGING THE IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE On Friday, March 1, State Senator Edwin print, and internet media to start showing DuBos at Gambit why Irish-American events Murray, Adrian D’Arcy of IN-NOLA, and such images of Irish-American heritage as our do not receive as much coverage, and, while Chief Judge and AOH National Vice- annual memorial at the Celtic Cross to those you are at it, ask Peter Finney Jr. at The Clar- President Jim McKay went on WWL-TV’s who died in the An Gorta Mor and who es- ion Herald why the Archdiocese’s newspaper Eyewitness Morning News with host Melanie caped it to come to America and build the does not cover our events. Hebert to speak about Irish-American Heri- infrastructure of our nation. It is time for Let them know that we hand out thousands tage Month. such outlets to focus attention on the statue of of dollars to charities, that the Irish Channel They did a great job on television, and a dumpy, little but incredibly courageous Parade gives thousands to St. Michael’s Spe- spoke wonderfully of the upcoming events woman named Margaret Haughery who cial School, that IN-NOLA is sending four and activities of the Irish and Irish-American transformed her grief into works of tremen- kids to Ireland to study, that the AOH helps communities during the month of March as dous charity. It is time for reporters and the Presentation Nuns feed the homeless at well as the importance of the Irish contribu- writers and camerapersons to start taking their Rebuild Center—truly God’s work on tion to the heritage and history of this city and stock of the fact one of our own took it all earth. Tell Mike Hoss and Melanie Hebert state. upon himself to dedicate a museum to the and Sally Ann Roberts and John Snell and However, one has to wonder if the depth Irish-American contribution to this city and Norman Robinson and Angela Hill and of the message actually got out to the viewing preserve the memory of a people whose faith Travers Maeckel and Curt Sprang and even public; for, prior to their appearance, WWL and determination helped build and police Scoot how the AOH stood out in the pouring ran stock footage of people drinking green and protect this city. rain last Ash Wednesday to insure that our beer and marchers carousing at one of the And it is your job, Brother Hibernians to let Archbishop and clergy and Catholic faithful parades. them know. Let WWL, WDSU, WVUE, could begin the season of Lent in peace and Such are the overwhelming images that and WGNO know what Irish-American Heri- without abuse. viewers have whenever Irish and Irish- tage is all about. Let columnists like James Stand up for the Irish and your heritage, American culture is mentioned on the Gill of the “Some”Times-Picayune know that we and do not be silent! Make your voices news—that it is nothing more than an adden- shall not stand for any further articles on or heard! dum to Mardi Gras. around St. Patrick’s Day that disparage the Oh, and by the way, it is Mardi Gras that is It is time for us to change those images. It Irish and Irish-Americans. the addendum to St. Patrick’s Day. is time for the news media to start realizing Write letters, call Spud McConnell and and then broadcasting images of the men who Garland Robinette at WWL Radio, tell the run the Irish Channel Parade give untold folks at WWOZ Radio how much we appre- thousands of dollars to schools and charitable ciate having the Irish included in their Satur- organizations. It is time for the video, radio, day morning programming. Ask Clancy VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 PAGE 3

STATE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Greeting Brother Hibernians! March 16th – Irish Channel St. Pat- Another March is under way, but rick’s Day Mass and Parade. Mass be- this year it’s a wee bit more special gins at Noon at St. Mary’s with the because for the first time it is officially parade following at around 1 PM. All Irish-American Heritage Month in members of the AOH are invited to Louisiana. Special thanks go out to march as a group in the parade. La. State Senator Edwin Murray for all March 17th – AOH Mass at St. Pat- of his efforts to help get the legislation rick’s Church at 11 AM. All AOH passed and signed into law. And I members are invited and asked to as- would be remiss if I did not also thank semble outside of the church by 10:30 Brother Paco Scanlan for spearheading a.m. the La. AOH’s efforts to bring about March 17th – 137th Annual AOH this special recognition from the Lou- St. Patrick’s Day Banquet at the Shera- allows us the chance to educate the isiana State Government. ton Hotel. Cocktail hour begins at 6 public about what being an Irish- This year’s Hibernian of the Year, PM with dinner and entertainment to American and a Hibernian is really all Judge James McKay III, kicked off this follow. Please join us in celebrating about. No doubt we will have our special month with a television ap- St. Patrick’s Day in grand style as we share of refreshments along the way, pearance on the morning news of local honor, Judge James McKay III, our but getting loaded and carrying on like CBS affiliate WWL-TV. Judge Hibernian of the Year. We are also drunken fools is an old, tired stereo- McKay trumpeted all of the contribu- privileged to have a special keynote type. We are hard-working, fun- tions that the Irish and Hibernians speaker this year, Minister Eamon Gil- loving, and faithful Catholics of Irish have made to Louisiana for many years more, the Tánaiste of Ireland. This is descent, who actively practice the ten- and he spoke about the upcoming St. most certainly a night that you won’t ets of Friendship, Unity and Christian Patrick’s festivities which are not to be want to miss. Charity. We are thankful that the missed. March 23rd – Acadian Division’s month of March has been designated Speaking of which, here is a quick Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration as Irish-American Heritage Month and rundown of the opportunities you will and Crawfish Boil. All AOH mem- we should all take this opportunity to have to celebrate your Irish heritage: bers are encouraged to join their celebrate proudly and appropriately. March 14th – Annunciation Square brothers in Lafayette to wind up the Éirinn go brách! Block Party hosted by the Irish Chan- St. Patrick’s Day celebrations Cajun nel St. Patrick’s Day Club. All pro- Style! ceeds benefit St. Michael’s Special Indeed, this is an ambitious sched- School, which is near and dear to all of ule, but it gives us many opportunities us. to celebrate our Irish heritage and also

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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 PAGE 4 THE CRESCENT HARP IN MEMORIAM BROTHER WILLIAM BURTCH Fr. Thomas “Mossy” Gallagher Division - St. Tammany BROTHER RONALD A. DIMITRY Cardinal Gibbons Division—Jefferson MR. RICHARD SIRERA Father of Brother Martin Sirera MS. MARGUERITE FOLEY Mother of Brother Daniel Foley and Br. Augustine “Chip” Foley, O.S.B. JOSEPH FARRELL Father of Brother Kenneth Farrell MRS. ROSE M. WINDHORST Mother of Liz Rafferty and Mother-in-Law of the late Brother James Rafferty PRAYERS MR. GARY MURPHY Brother of Brother Steve Murphy SEAN LOUIS CALLAHAN Nephew of Brother Kevin Callahan GRANDSON OF BROTHER JOSEPH CRONIN THE SACRED COLLEGE OF CARDINALS As They Elect Our New Pontiff and ALL OF OUR MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN SERVING OVERSEAS VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 PAGE 5 Congratulations,

CHIEF JUDGE JAMES FRANCIS MCKAY III

ON BEING NAMED HIBERNIAN OF THE YEAR FOR 2013

from

Your Brothers in Orleans Parish Division 1 The Archbishop Hannan Division New Orleans

IRISH WAY AND STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

The AOH National Board offers several whose people have played a significant tion that he/she attends. Should not scholarship opportunities for the children role in the history of western civilization. enough applications for the Study Abroad and grandchildren of its members. The AOH and LAOH National Boards Scholarship be realized, then $500 schol- offer two $500 scholarships for this pro- arships for Study Abroad programs or The Irish Way High School gram. One of these scholarships is for the $1000/500 Masters Degree in irish Stud- Scholarship children and grandchildren of an AOH ies Abroad scholarships will be considered The Irish Way Program is a unique cul- member, and the other for the children and granted when appropriate. Please tural experience for teenagers and is a and grandchildren of an LAOH member. contact Brother William O’Sullivan at nationally recognized summer study pro- Anyone who would like an application or 978-682-4875. gram that has educated over 3000 high further information should contact the school students since its inception in Irish American Cultural Institute, 1 Financial Assistance 1975. The 2013 Irish Way High School Lackawanna Place, Morristown, New Scholarships, loans, and grants are avail- Program will take place this summer in Jersey 07960. The Irish Way telephpne able for study abroad accredited pro- Ireland from June 28 to July 22, 2013. number is 973-605-1991. More informa- grams. For information on these financial The Irish Way Program is a twenty-five tion for this program is also available by opportunities, please visit the websites -day cultural academic program offered to going to: www.irishway.org. Education in Ireland, US Government Aid, American and Canadian high school stu- and The Direct Loan Program. These sites dents. The program consists of a wide AOH Study Abroad Scholarship offer a host of information regarding fi- variety of classes, workshops, and tours The National Board of the AOH offers nancial assistance and grants that can be based in three locations throughout Ire- two Study Abroad Scholarships for the used to supplement our scholarships and land. The goal of the Irish Way is to in- son, daughter, or grandchild of an AOH help make an education in Ireland more troduce North American students to the member. The recipients of these scholar- affordable. essential characteristics and qualities of ships must attend an accredited college or Irish life. By being immersed in Ireland’s university in the United States and be ac- history and culture, young adults are able cepted at an accredited college/university to understand and appreciate a country in Ireland that is recognized by the institu- PAGE 6 THE CRESCENT HARP REPUBLIC OF WEST FLORIDA NEWS - ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE PONCHATOULA

With pleasant and slightly overcast During lunch, the Northshore Irish skies, the AOH Republic of West Flor- Dance Performance Academy enter- ida Division took part in the Annual tained all the guests while the Krewe of Krewe of Erin St. Patrick’s Day Parade Erin awarded prizes to all the maids. in Ponchatoula on March 9. Beginning Several New Orleans Hibernians—some in Memorial Park, the parade wound its of them still feeling the effects of the way through downtown Ponchatoula Irish Channel Parade Practice March the until ending at the Fleur De Lis Club. previous day— took part in the parade One of the unique aspects of this for the first time, and we look forward charming community celebration is that to continuing to support our Brothers in the parade marchers do not use floats. Tangipahoa Parish and attending their Rather, they employ grocery carts cov- excellent celebrations. ered with appropriate Irish decorations and filled with beads, various stuffed toys, along with numerous repetitions of “Wearin’ and...well...groceries; i.e., cabbages, pota- of the Green” for Judge Kuhn in the meeting toes, carrots—all the fixings for an Irish stew. hall. Patrons enjoyed a full repast of bever- More than twenty Hibernians took part in ages, including green beer, and corned beef the parade, led by Grand Marshal Thomas and cabbage, potatoes, brisket, roast beef, Kuhn, brother of Hibernian Judge Jimmy and bread pudding for dessert. Hot dogs and Kuhn. The Ponchatoula High School Marine hamburgers were provided for those whose Corps JROTC gave the parade a patriotic palates were not yet mature enough for tradi- feel, while the Kilts of Many Colours pro- tional Irish-American fare. vided the appropriate pipes and drums—

ACADIAN DIVISION NEWS Cajuns, Celts, and Crawfish Acadian AOH Annual St. Patrick’s Celebration Crawfish Boil Saturday, March 23, 2013 6:00 pm Evangeline Shrine Club 328 Guilbeau Road Lafayette, Louisiana

$40 per person Provides: Crawfish, Beer/Refreshments Irish Dancers & Irish Music For more information, call Mark Foley 337-654-0077 Email your ticket reservations to: [email protected] and pay at the door with cash or check VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 PAGE 7 LADIES AOH NEWS—HONORING THE LEGACY OF ST. BRIGID AND MARGARET On Saturday, February 16, 2013, Irish House for a delicious lunch members of the Ladies Ancient and then went to St. Louis Ceme- Order of Hibernians, Margaret tery No. 3 to lay flowers at the Haughery Division, held their gravesite of Margaret annual celebration in honor of St. Haughery. Mass at Holy Rosary Brigid and Margaret Church on Esplanade Avenue Haughery. The feast day of St. closed out the day’s activities. Brigid is February 1st and the an- niversary of Margaret Haughery’s death is February 8th. The Ladies and their guests gathered at The

NEW MOVEMENT UNDERWAY TO SAVE THE MARGARET STATUE

A New Orleans-based group has begun from a number of members. Birch ex- the process of raising money to repair and plained that the foundation of the statue shore up the long-neglected statue of Mar- must be reinforced while the stone from garet Haughery, located near downtown which the statue was carved will require New Orleans. The statue, the first of a extensive but delicate cleaning and then woman ever erected in the United States, sealing. Students from Tulane University honors one of the most extraordinary busi- will provide the manual labor necessary for nesspersons philanthropists not only in The MTC estimates it will need about New Orleans but in the nation as a whole. $150,000 to repair fully the statue and re- Margaret Gaffney Haughery (1813-1882) store it to a condition close to its original overcame the loss of her parents at a young state when it was erected in the 1890s. age, then the loss of her husband and infant Professor Birch has stated that the MTC has child, and finally her own illiteracy to es- raised about $12,000 through a series of tablish a dairy and bakery and build two bake sales. orphanages to take care of the poor in New The next bake sale will take place on the Orleans. weekend before Mother’s Day, 2013. In While Margaret’s story is well-known addition, the MTC is conducting a Restau- among the Irish in New Orleans, too many rant Raffle and selling tickets for $10 a New Orleanians have no idea the history of piece. The Grand Prize will be $1200 dol- the small statue located where Camp and lars worth of New Orleans restaurant gift Prytania Streets come together right be- certificates to some of the best restaurants neath the expressway leading to the Cres- in the city. cent City Connection. local non-profit dedicated to repairing and The drawing will take place on March 31. The small park in which her statue stands is preserving pieces of local New Orleans his- For more information, simply contact the often overgrown and a sleeping place for tory, making the city more attractive and its AOH at [email protected]. many of the homeless in the city, the gate is history more accessible for both residents and broken, and the statue itself is starting to de- visitors. Their area of focus is the preserva- SPECIAL NOTE cay. AOH Brother Matt Murphy has secured tion and care of the 245+ monuments that Be sure to tune in or set your DVRs to the small area with a strong chain, but the are located within the city. Since their incep- WVUE-FOX8 News at 9:30 p.m. on Satur- elements are still working their inexorable tion in 1989, they have completed many suc- day, March 16 to see a special segment on damage on Margaret. cessful restoration projects. The MTC is a Margaret Haughery, narrated by Dave McNa- However, the Monumental Task Commis- predominantly volunteer-run organization, mara. The piece will follow Margaret from sion and their director, Professor Traci Birch, with a Board of Directors from diverse pro- her life in Ireland all has begun assessing the damages and what it fessional and educational backgrounds, con- the way to New will take to restore or at least preserve the tributing decades of experience to these pres- Orleans. statue. Adopting the motto “Bringing Marga- ervation efforts. ret Back to Beautiful,” the MTC has begun Professor Birch did not come to the LAOH raising funds and promoting its work. or AOH for any donations, but she graciously The Monumental Task Committee, Inc. is a agreed to meet in order to answer questions PAGE 8 THE CRESCENT HARP CHRISTIAN CHARITY The Following Are All Charities and Groups Funded by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Louisiana over the Past Year:

CELTIC CROSS MONUMENT AT NEW BASIN CANAL FREEDOM FOR ALL IRELAND (FFAI) NEW ORLEANS ROSE OF TRALEE ASSOCIATION

ST. DOMINIC CHURCH AND SCHOOL ULSTER PROJECT FRIENDS FOREVER NATIONAL HIBERNIAN CHARITY - HURRICANE SANDY STORM RELIEF FRIENDS OF LAKEVIEW

WINDOW FOR FR. HARRY TOMPSON, S.J. Over the years community grew, he used the help of volun- needs of the homeless for hygiene, legal assis- Jesuit Church teers to clean and refresh the church. Once tance, medical information, benefit ability has been blessed the attendance showed the presence of a vi- and communication can be addressed in a safe with a combina- able community, he enlisted the aid of bene- and welcoming environment. After his tion of out- factors to finance a complete renovation of death, this was named The Harry Tompson standing Jesuits the interior. Center. and vey generous During this process, Fr. Harry dreamed of The final part of the renovation process is benefactors. social outreaches for the disadvantaged in the the beautiful stained glass windows. As this In 1996 Fr. community. With his assistance, Kids Café work has progressed, many people have do- Harry Tompson, was born and grew into Café Reconcile and nated funds to have the renovation of a win- a member of the now Reconcile New Orleans. dow dedicated to the memory of their family AOH and the man asked to preach at The His pride and joy was his school, The Good or a loved one. Irish Channel Parade Mass at St. Mary’s, was Shepherd School. This school, developed It does seem fair and fitting that one win- assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish. under the model of the Jesuit Nativity School, dow be dedicated to honor the work Fr. For many reasons, the most notable a shift in became a place for at risk children to obtain Harry accomplished for that faith community. demographics, at that point in time atten- education and self confidence a they moved The students of his school, the Good Shep- dance at Sunday mass was less than 50 people. into adolescence. herd School, have started a fund to accom- With his incredible energy, charisma, per- The inner city of New Orleans, like many plish this. All of Fr. Harry’s friends are in- sonal contacts, and passionate homilies, Fr. large urban areas has a sizable homeless popu- vited to join the children and their families in Harry built a huge faith community of well lation. To help this forgotten part of the this effort. over a thousand families. He did this while community, Fr. Harry developed a program battling an aggressive form of cancer. As the which has grown into a place where the basic VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 PAGE 9 ST. PATRICK’S DAY AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, March 13 Irish Network in New Orleans’ A PINT and a PICTURE at the Prytania Theatre. Movie is Hear My Song. For more info, please call 891-2787.

Thursday, March 14 10:00 a.m. - Annunciation Playground, fundraiser for St. Mary's Special School by the Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Committee.

Saturday, March 16 12:00 Noon - Mass at St. Mary's Assumption Church, 2030 Constance Street. AOH to gather in the sanctuary of St. Alphonsus Church for 11:15 a.m. 1:15 p.m. - Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Parade, starts on Jackson Avenue and proceeds up to St. Charles Avenue to Louisiana Avenue, then down Louisiana to Magazine, and then down Magazine back to Jackson.

Sunday, March 17 9:30 a.m. - Wreath-laying at the Celtic Cross Monument on West End Boulevard. 11:00 a.m. - MASS, ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH, 724 Camp Street, New Orleans 2:30 p.m. Ribbon Cutting for the Irish Cultural Museum of New Orleans, 933 Conti Street RSVP to [email protected] 6:00 p.m., Doors open at the Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street for the St. Patrick's Day Banquet (cost is $70). Chief Judge James F. McKay III will be honored as Hibernian of the Year; officials of Ireland will participate. Keynote speaker will be Eamon Gilmore, Deputy head of government.

Saturday, March 23 6:00 p.m. - Acadian Crawfish Boil, Lafayette

Sunday, March 24 IN-NOLA Family Fun Day, Audubon Park, New Orleans

Sunday, April 14 12:00 noon - Ladies AOH - Rose of Tralee Gala, The Blue Room of the Roosevelt Hotel

Monday, April 29 6:30 p.m. - Ladies AOH Meeting - Waller Home, 3601 Laurel Street

Thursday, May 17 6:30 p.m. - AOH Meeting - Location TBA - FULL INITIATION PAGE 10 THE CRESCENT HARP HISTORICAL MOMENT - A REBEL PRIEST, AN IRISH PATRIOT

Father was one of the lead- viving group (fragments of which fought ers of the in Wex- for 6 more years from the Killoughrim ford. On July 2, 1798, he was brought to woods near (James Coro- Tullow later that day was brought before a coran) and from ). military tribunal, charged with committing Fr.Murphy decided to head for the safety treason against the British crown, and sen- of a friend's house in Tullow, County tenced to death. Carlow, when the path cleared. After a He was born at Tincurry in the Parish of few days some yeomen captured him and Ferns, County in 1753, the in a farmyard on 2 July youngest son of Thomas and Johanna Mur- 1798. They were brought to Tullow phy. He sailed for Spain in early 1772 and later that day where they were brought studied for the priesthood in Seville, Spain before a military tribunal, charged with where many of the clergy in Ireland re- committing treason against the British ceived their education due to the persecu- crown, and sentenced to death. Both tion of Catholics, most notably by means of men were tortured in an attempt to ex- the . He was ordained to the tract more information from them. priesthood in the spring of 1779. Fr.Murphy was stripped, flogged, On his return to Ireland in 1785 he be- hanged, decapitated, his corpse burnt in came the parish priest of , a a barrel of tar and his head impaled on a small village 5 miles north-east of Enniscor- spike. This final gesture was meant to be thy. In 1798 he was described as being a warning to all others who fought "about 45 years old, light complexioned, against the British crown. bald pated and about five feet nine inches It failed utterly. high. He was well made, uniting strength Fr. Murphy is one of the most famous of and agility". the 1798 leaders and many Irish martyrs During his life Murphy would have been who died for the cause of Irish freedom. called "Mister Murphy". Cardinal Cullen Father John proved an unlikely compe- arranged for Irish priests to be styled as FR. JOHN MURPHY (1753-1798) tent military mind as shown on numer- "Father" from the 1860s, and so certain ous occasions, such as at Oulart, where priests such as Murphy became known as "Father" on Kilthomas Hill but was attacked and destroyed he ordered his men to place their hats upon their long after their deaths. by the crown forces on the morning of May 28. At pikes and raise them above cover to draw British Fr. Murphy was initially against rebellion and Oulart Hill a crowd numbering upwards of a thou- gun fire, then attacked the government forces actively encouraged his parishioners to give up sand, had gathered including many women and while they reloaded. When besieging towns he their arms and sign an oath of allegiance to the children. Spotting an approaching military col- also developed the cattle stampede in which the British Crown. On the 26 May 1798, a group of umn, Fr.Murphy and the other local United Irish- rebels harassed and drove herds of cattle into the men gathered under Fr.Murphy to decide what to men leaders such as Edward Roche, Morgan town, creating cover and confusion during which do for safety against the regular yeomanry patrols Byrne, Thomas Donovan, George Sparks, and Fr. the rebels poured in from behind. He is com- at a townland called the Harrow. At about eight Michael Murphy organized their forces and sprang memorated in the famous ballad "Boolavogue", o'clock that evening, a patrol of 20 Camolin cav- a deadly ambush on the North Cork Militia. which was written in 1898 to commemorate the alry spotted the group and approached them, de- Victory at the Oulart Hill followed, and then in rebellion. Father Murphy's charred remains are manding to know their business. They left after a Enniscorthy, which swelled the Irish rebel forces buried in the old Catholic graveyard with Fr.Ned brief confrontation, having burned the cabin of a and their weapon supply. However defeats at New Redmond in Ferns Co Wexford. missing suspected rebel whom they had been Ross, Arklow, and Newtownbarry meant a loss of tasked to arrest. As the patrol returned they men and weapons. Fr.John Murphy had returned passed by Fr.Murphy's group who were by now to the headquarters of the rebellion at Vinegar Hill SOURCES angry at the sight of the burning cabin. As the before the Battle of Arklow and was attempting to † Essay by David Kennedy “The Catholic cavalry passed by the men an argument developed, reinforce its defenses. 20,000 British troops ar- Church in Ulster since 1800,” BBC publica- followed by stones being thrown and then an all rived at Wexford and defeated the rebel army at tions, 1958. out fight between the men and the troops. Most of the Battle of Vinegar Hill on 21 June. However, † A short History of the people of Ireland, Mary the cavalry quickly fled, but 2 of the yeomen, due to a lack of coordination among the British Hade G.G. Moonan. including the lieutenant in command, were killed. columns, the bulk of the rebel army escaped to † A History of Ireland, E. Curtis. The rebellion in Wexford had begun and fight on. † Irish Historical Documents Fr.Murphy acted quickly; he sent word around the Eluding the crown forces by passing through the † The 1798 Rebellion in Wexford edited by Dáire county that the rebellion had started and organized Scullogue Gap, Fr.John Murphy and other leaders Keogh and Nicholas Furlong, Four Courts raids for arms on loyalist strongholds. tried to spread the rebellion across the country by Press (1996) Parties of mounted yeomen responded by killing marching into Kilkenny and towards the midlands. † http://republican-news.org/archive/1998/ suspects and burning homes, causing a wave of On June 26, 1798 at the Battle of Kilcumney Hill July02/02hist.html panic. The countryside was soon filled with masses in County Carlow, their forces were tricked and of people fleeing the terror and heading for high defeated. Fr.Murphy and his bodyguard, James ground for safety in numbers. One group gathered Gallagher, became separated from the main sur- VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 PAGE 11 AND EVEN MORE HISTORY!

AOH IRISHMEN OF THE YEAR Since 1989

James J. Brennan (2012) Paul Buckley (1992) Richard F. Burke Jr. (1996) Joseph J. Cronin Sr. (2010) † Rev. Desmond G. Crotty (2004) † Patrick S. Dorion (2000) John D. Fitzmorris Jr. (2003) Norris V. Fitzmorris (1994) † Peter A. Hand (1999)† John C. Kilburn (2006) Hon. James E. Kuhn (2011) Dermott McGlinchey (1993) † Gary P. McCarthy (2009) The Irish Cultural Museum R. Milo McCarthy (2009) James F. McKay Jr. (1998) † of New Orleans Hon. James F. McKay III (2013)*** Joseph T. McKay Sr. (1990) † Kevin M. P. McKay (2012) On display right now is a 1640 copy of St. Tho- R. James Moriarty (2008) mas Aquinas’ Summa Theologiæ (On the W. Patrick Power (2005) James D. Rafferty (2005)† Highest Theology) that Judge James Kuhn of the Rev. Msgr. John P. Reynolds (1989)† Republic of West Florida Division purchased in Archbishop Francis B. Schulte (1997) Patrick J. Sens (2001) Cologne, Germany. Hon. John A. Shea (2002) Axel R. Stromboe (1995) Mary Ann Swaim (1991) Please come down to the Museum on Conti Hon. Dennis Waldron (2007) Street, right next to the Wax Museum, and view † - deceased in its case a three hundred and seventy-three- *** - THIS YEAR’S HONOREE year-old book that is perhaps the most impor- tant work in Western Christendom.

Many thanks to Judge Kuhn for the loan of the book, and many thanks to Brother Matt Ahearn for allowing us the opportunity to view this magnificent work in his museum. PAGE 12 THE CRESCENT HARP CELTIC CROSS COMMITTEE PLANS RESTORATION OF NEW BASIN CANAL PARK

The AOH in Louisiana is now well un- derway with plans for the improvement and development of the Celtic Cross that marks the site of the New Basin Canal in Lakeview. As part of a $300,000 project that will accompany the Lakeview Civic Improvement Association’s lighting of Harrison Avenue and West End and Pontchartrain Blvds., the Celtic Cross Memorial Park will be yet another step in the resurgence of Lakeview since its dev- astation following the flood in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. However, the Cross Project is important to all Hibernians and all New Orleanians—and all people in Louisiana for that matter. The Cross remembers the people who died in the An Gorta Mor or The Great Hunger that devastated Ireland in the late 1840s and caused the emigration of over one mil- lion of its inhabitants. The site of the Cross—the New Basin Canal remembers all those Irish immi- grants who labored and toiled to build the six-mile- long canal that brought barges from Lake Pontchar- train into the center of the city where the Union Passenger Bus and Train Terminal is located today. Led by Hibernian Jim Moriarty, the Celtic Cross Committee needs to raise the necessary funds through a series of grants and eventual fundraisers. The Cross itself will serve as the lynchpin of a brick -paved walking space in the shape of a Celtic Cross with greenery, trees, flower gardens, benches, and historical plaques to tell the story of how the Irish came to America and dug the canal. Having to deal with the numerous entities that control the site has proven almost as formidable a task as will raising the funds, but progress is already under way in at least securing the site with lighting and keeping the Cross in at least presentable condi- tion with lawn cutting and trimming. On March 16, Irish Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore and Irish Consul Paul Gleeson will join the AOH and the LAOH to lay a wreath at the Celtic Cross in honor of those who helped build our nation and those who died as well. VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 PAGE 13 HIBERNIANS IN THE NEWS

AOH Brother Timothy McConnell (center right), who is Deputy Chief of the New Orleans Fire Department, stands with N.O. Mayor Mitch Landrieu (center left) and a host of fire personnel and civic and political leaders at the groundbreaking for the Lower Ninth Ward Commu- nity Center and Fire Station. As part of Mayor Landrieu’s infrastructure restoration program, the Lower Ninth—completely devastated by the flood following Hurricane Katrina—will have its first major community hub and fire station since the storm.—photo courtesy of nola.com

The Ancient Order of Hibernians Jefferson Parish Division 1 James Cardinal Gibbons Division Jefferson and the River Parishes

salutes

Chief Judge James Francis McKay III James Cardinal Gibbons Hibernian of the Year 2013 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 liti- gation, 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 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 aware- ness in the city and to promote New Orleans to the sister Irish Networks, the North American Irish Community, and the country of Ireland.

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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.