History on our namesake Mike Doyle
Our Division’s patron, Mike Doyle, was known in the Irish community for his unselfish and unfaltering commitment to a united Ireland. He managed over 20 bars in Philadelphia and was so strong in his support for a united Ireland that many called him “Ireland’s Philadelphia Man”.
“Mike believed fervently and passionately in a United Ireland and was vocal and active in his opposition to injustice and partition.
He was a figure of great strength and commitment who always seemed to have been there through the grim and dark days of conflict and the better days of the peace process.
Mike worked away unselfishly in support of embattled communities occupied by British troops; in support of prisoners and their families and children; in support of justice campaigns; he raised money; and opened his door and home to strangers.”
“A wonderful dynamo of a man who went to bed this morning, complaining that he didn’t feel way, and suffered a heart attack. He will be sorely missed. Ar dheis láimh Dé go raibh sé.”
History of our national organization, Ancient Order of Hibernians in America
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is America’s oldest Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization founded concurrently in the coal-mining region of Pennsylvania and New York City in May,1836. The Order can trace its roots back to a series of similar societies that existed in Ireland for more than 300 years. Today the AOH exists in America, Canada, Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland, however, while the organizations share a common thread, the American AOH is a separate and much larger organization.
