Thursday, June 30, 2016
Hibernians Call for a Vote on a Reunified Ireland
Hibernians Call for a Vote on a Reunified Ireland
By Neil
Cosgrove – AOH National PEC Chairman
New
City, New York – 6/29/2016– The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) In the wake of the historic vote
by the citizens of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, the Ancient
Order of Hibernians calls for a vote, as provided for in the Good Friday
Agreement, to allow the citizens of Northern Ireland to decide if they wish to
leave the United Kingdom and to reunify with the Irish Republic and the
European Union. Per
National President Brendan Moore: “For
those who seek a reunification of Ireland and the return of sovereignty to the
Irish people, the recent ‘Brexit’ vote and the mandate for the United Kingdom
to leave the European Union is not without its ironies. We note that a widely
circulated photo of a pro-Leave banner stated: ‘Vote Leave … and honor those
who died for our freedom from foreign rule.’ Certainly, Irish Republicans from
Wolfe Tone to Bobby Sands would understand those sentiments. In that spirit,
the Ancient Order of Hibernians believe that the people of Northern Ireland should have the same opportunity
to vote to ‘Leave’ the United Kingdom as the people of England were given to leave United Europe.”
A more dangerous irony of the
Brexit vote is a re-emergence of what has been the true curse of Irish History,
not sectarianism, but the “double standard”; that in an alleged “United Kingdom” there is one rule for England and another for Ireland. The poster child for this
duplicity is Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers. Ms.
Villiers has been an unabashed cheerleader for the Leave Campaign, her
activities taking priority over her more mundane duties such as seeking justice
for the victims of Loughlinlsland and other incidents of state colluded murder.
While celebrating the Brexit vote, Ms. Villiers is simultaneously dismissing
calls for a border poll on Irish reunification on the grounds that, per Ms.
Villiers, “none of the polls indicate there is support for a United Ireland.”
We point out that the most recent “poll” of the people of Northern Ireland, Ms. Villiers’ beloved Brexit
vote, indicates otherwise. In the Brexit vote, over 55.8% of the people of Northern Ireland indicated that they wish to remain
in the European Union, an opportunity that a united Ireland would afford them. For Ms.
Villiers to publicly defend a “Leave” vote on a margin of 4% as a mandate to
reshape the map of Europe while claiming that the 11% margin indicating the
people of Northern Ireland wish to remain in Europe is insufficient to allow
the people of Northern Ireland an opportunity to fulfill their will through a
vote on Irish reunification would appear to indicate that Ms. Villiers is
mathematically and logically challenged. We call on more prudent heads in Westminster, Stormont and Dublin to ensure that the principles of
the Good Friday Agreement are honored and its dividends of peace not squandered
by Ms. Villiers and her continued duplicitous policies in Northern Ireland. Let us not let Ms. Villiers,
through political machinations and equivocations, lose the opportunity for
peace in Ireland in the 21st century as Asquith did
in the 20th. Let us not have another Irish generation lose faith in the process
of peaceful legislative change to achieve their aspirations for their country
because British politicians redefine agreed commitments on a whim to suit their
political agenda and appease their handlers in Westminster.
Let us continue to work to take
down the oxymoronic “peace walls” in Belfast and Derry, not create new Brexit-inspired
walls on the borders of Armagh, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Derry. Let us not risk a return to the
bullet and the bayonet only because, for self-serving political motives, Ms.
Villiers fears the ballot. Let us accord the people of Northern Ireland the same right to choose their
future association with the United Kingdom in the same way the citizens of
the United Kingdom were allowed to speak on their
association with a United Europe. Let us have a vote on Irish reunification now.
Monday, June 6, 2016
2016 Commodore John Barry Medal Award Winners Announced
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| Commodore John Barry - Father of the U.S. Navy |
The
Ancient Order of Hibernians, Myles Scully-Division #1 of Yonkers is proud to announce the
winners of The Commodore John Barry Memorial Medal for 2016. The award is
made available to all Catholic Elementary Schools in The City of Yonkers. The
award is named after Commodore John Barry, an Irish emigrant who lived to become
known as The Father of The United States Navy.
Commodore Barry received Navy Commission #1
from President George Washington in 1798, making him the first flag officer of
the newly formed U.S. Navy. The Commodore Barry Medal is awarded to a
graduating student who has excelled in U.S. History/Social Studies. The
award consists of a certificate of merit along with a medal which is worn
around the neck.
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| The Commodore John Barry Memorial Medal |
The awards will be presented to each student at their
school graduation ceremonies beginning the weekend of June 10th.
Congratulations to
this year’s winners!
Sacred Heart School
St. Ann’s School – Beatriz Mendes
St. Anthony’s School – Kayla Gallichio
St. Peter’s School – Gabriel Bravo
St. Eugene’s School – Victoria Carroll
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Irish History For June 2016
The Story & History of The Claddagh Ring
By Mike McCormack
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| Classic Claddagh Ring Design |
The Claddagh Ring, designed and worn in Ireland since the late 1600s, has enjoyed a growing popularity with Irish exiles the world over. The modern Galway Jeweler, Stephen Fallon Ltd, notes, the use of joined hands to denote friendship and the human heart to denote charity is common enough in forms of art which use highly conventionalized symbolism" and "rings of this general type, known as fidelity rings are not excessively uncommon. However, when referring to the crowned heart supported by two hands, it is stated that this particular style is most definitely the Claddagh Ring and nothing else.
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| The Claddagh Ring has Distinctive Clasped Hands, Heart and Crown |
The earliest maker of this particular design was a Galway goldsmith named Joyce who had learned his craft in a rather remarkable way. When he was still a young man, Joyce was taken by Algerian pirates, and spent a number of years of captivity in Tunis indentured to a goldsmith, where he became a skilled craftsman in precious metals. When King William acceded to the throne of England in 1689, he concluded an agreement whereby all of his subjects who were held in captivity by the Moors were to be allowed to return to their homes. Joyce returned to the town of Claddagh in County Galway and pursued a career with his new-found skills. He prospered as a worker of gold and silver until about 1730 and several examples of his ecclesiastical works are still in existence. Shortly after his return home, about 1690, Joyce created the special design that in time became known as the Claddagh Ring.
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| The Claddagh Ring is a Popular Wedding Band |
The ring became popular around the town of Claddagh, and soon its popularity spread across the whole of County Galway. They were kept as heirlooms with great pride, and were passed from generation to generation, often being used as wedding rings. Even people of limited means were prepared to exert themselves to make enough money to purchase a good example of the ring. The popularity of the ring spread and, after Joyce's death, the demand rose. The tradition was carried on by the Robinson family who became the principle makers of the ring throughout the 18th century.
As to the meaning of the symbols on the ring, several stories exist. The most likely however, is one that this writer learned from an old Galway shanachie, and it had to do with the history of the time. During England's attempted conquest of Ireland, each generation of Irish resisted the yoke of slavery forced upon them. In 600 years of English intrusion into Ireland, there were no less than 14 resistance movements - 11 of which were armed rebellions! It was after one of these aborted risings - the Nine Years War of O'Neill, Maguire, and O'Donnell against the Crown - that the English decided to end the threat of the Irish clans forever. In 1607, charges of treason were fabricated against the strongest of the clan Chieftains: those of Tyrone, Tirconnell, and Fermanagh and those noble Irish leaders were forced to flee Ireland in what became known as the Flight of the Earls. After the Flight of the Earls, the Irish again found themselves victims of oppression, and, in desperation, the next generation aligned themselves against the Crown in the Williamite War. In 1691, when the last bastion of Irish resistance in that war fell with the capitulation of Limerick, the English pressed their advantage. The remaining Gaelic aristocracy was either destroyed or forced into exile in what became known as the Flight of the Wild Geese. In exile, the Gaelic Princes and their followers lamented the loss of their beloved Erin and preserved their love for Ireland in song and story.
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| Map detailing the route of the Flight of The Earls |
When the Claddagh Ring was designed, the Flight of the Earls was recent memory and the Flight of the Wild Geese was a current event. Joyce, who was well aware of the heartbreak of a forced exile from Ireland, is reported to have fashioned the Claddagh Ring as a reminder to all Irishmen of the ties that bound them to their heritage. The two hands grasping a heart symbolized the embrace of mother Ireland on the hearts of the Irish wherever they may be; the heart is topped with a crown as a reminder of the Gaelic royalty forced to flee in the Flight of the Earls and later Chieftains with the Wild Geese and it was cast in gold as a reminder of the riches of Erin stolen by the Saxon invader. It received its name from the little town of Claddagh, a fishing village on Galway Bay, where Joyce introduced his creation. It was originally used by locals as wedding rings and later it was also used by single persons. Married or betrothed persons took to wearing the ring with the heart facing inward to signify that their heart was taken while single persons wore the ring with the heart facing outward to indicate that their heart was available. This is the traditional explanation offered by many Galway natives whose families go back to the days of Joyce and beyond.
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| Flight of The Earls Monument in County Donegal, Ireland |
However, Joyce never left a written explanation of his design and modern jewelers offer various accounts of its significance hoping to improve its marketability. Its popularity with lovers - especially among the Irish - has provided other romantic explanations which further confuse the issue. Today, there is no other ring which can offer the buyer a choice of so many meanings. But, as is the case with most ancient creations whose origins are clouded by the mists of time, the truth may lie somewhere between the fact and the legend that have combined in the legacy of the Claddagh Ring. As for this writer, my Claddagh ring will always remind me of the hold that Ireland has on my heart!
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
President's Message June 2016
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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| Division One President Kevin Ellis |
June 2016
Brothers,
June is the traditional end of our active season for the year (there are no meetings in July or August), and we are all looking forward to some summer relaxation. I can proudly say that our Division has once again done an outstanding job and each and every member should be proud of what we have been able to accomplish this year!
As you know, I was one of the 39,000 Verizon workers who went out on strike against the company for over 6 ½ weeks. I am returning to work today after a long and stressful fight. I would like to apologize for being somewhat distracted during this time, and I also wish to thank all those members who offered words of encouragement during the strike. It is times like this when I am reminded what a brotherhood is all about!
The Division held its 20th Annual Golf Outing on May 9th and I have to say it was a tremendous success! Congratulations to Dennis O’Brien for his leadership in taking over as chairman of the golf committee this year! Once again, we benefited from our members who worked tirelessly for months making sure this event went off smoothly. Too many members to list here, but you know who you are! I would like to thank all of our friends and sponsors who support this event every single year. We will have a final report at our Division meeting tomorrow night.
We are in final preparations for awarding The Commodore John Barry Medal to 7 Yonkers Catholic Elementary School graduates later this month. A complete list of the winners will be published once all of the recipient’s names have been received.
The AOH National Convention is only 6 weeks away! All of you should have received the registration packet in your email by now. I must provide a list of delegates to the National Secretary next week, so please make sure I have your name if you plan on attending the convention as a delegate.
Once again, I congratulate each and every member on another successful year! We will resume our monthly meetings in September. I would like to wish you and your family a very restful and enjoyable Summer Season!
Yours in our Motto,
Kevin Ellis, President
Division One, Yonkers
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