Despite the overcast skies and threats of rain, the Rev. James T. O’Reilly OSA Division 8 Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians kicked off Irish American Heritage Month in the City of Lawrence with its Annual Irish Flag raising on Monday, March 1 at 11 am on the Campagnone Memorial Common.
AOH State President Jack Lahey, LAOH State President Margaret O’Connor, along with Mayor Kendrys Vasquez hoisted the tricolor flag of Ireland on the flagpole opposite Lawrence City Hall keeping alive a long tradition in the City of Immigrants. State Presidents Lahey and O’Connor are also both members of Division 8 in Lawrence.
During the ceremonies, Mayor Kendrys Vasquez presented a proclamation naming March as Irish American Heritage Month in the City of Lawrence to Division 8 AOH President Bill Sullivan and Division 8 LAOH President Anne Marie Nyhan-Doherty.
Irish American Heritage Month celebrates the achievements and contributions that Irish Immigrants and their descendants living in the United States have made to the US. The first Irish American Heritage Month was proclaimed by President George H. W Bush in March 1991, and every US President since has proclaimed March as Irish American Heritage Month.
The US Congress on numerous occasions has also designated March as Irish American Heritage Month, and Governor’s, state legislatures and many cities and towns across the US have followed suit.
Locally Irish immigrants and their descendants have contributed to Lawrence and the Merrimack Valley in many ways. During the 1840’s Irish immigrants helped build the Great Stone Dam over the Merrimack River, which has played a vital role in the City of Lawrence’s history.
The electric power produced from the Great Stone Dam made Lawrence one of the major manufacturing cities in our country during the latter part of the 19th Century and early part of the 20th Century. In addition, many of those of Irish ancestry have contributed to Lawrence, their home state, and the United States of America, in the areas of public service, public safety, education. law, business, and religion.
Unlike previous years, due to the COVID 19 pandemic and government regulations, the month-long list of activities usually sponsored by Division 8 during Irish American Heritage Month will be limited.
This year, Division 8 AOH will also celebrate the 150th Anniversary of its founding in Lawrence. Division 8 was organized on November 5, 1871, and over the past 150 years, some members of Division 8 have gone on to serve as officers on the AOH National Board, the AOH Massachusetts State and AOH Essex County Boards. At the present time, 6 members of Division 8 serve on the national, state and county boards of the order.
The Rev. James T. O’Reilly OSA Ladies Division 8 Ancient Order of Hibernians was established in 1904 and also has members who have served on the National, State and County Boards. Presently two LAOH members serve on the LAOH State Board.
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