The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) has its roots in the agrarian movement in Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries, where the AOH established there first later became a force for Irish nationalism.
In America, AOH was founded in 1836 in New York City. Later the same year, another branch of AOH was formed in the Pennsylvania mining area. AOH eventually became a focus of Irish American political activity.
The creation of the Irish Catholic men's organization was a reaction to the virulent and often violent anti-Irish, anti-Catholic sentiment of the time. Its goal was to protect Catholic churches and to assist Irish Catholic immigrants against discrimination and the dangerous working conditions in coal mines. Its mission is friendship, unity and Christian charity.
In 1894, the ladies' auxiliary, Daughters of Erin, was founded.
Today, the national AOH is headquartered in New Jersey. The division is the basic unit of the AOH. Division 3 Towson meets monthly, and participates in the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Maryland Irish Festival.
Baltimore's St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held on Sun. March 15, starting at 2 p.m. from the Washington Monument. The parade route heads south down Charles Street to Pratt Street and Market Place.
Barbara Pash