Local Group tries to educate the public about Ireland
By JUSTIN QUINN
Evening Sun Reporter
The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) have been around for the past three years and are gathering steam in York County.
What is a "Hibernian?" you ask. It is not one who hibernates- though, that may be the first thought to cross the mind. The AOH is an organization of Irish Catholics, who derive their name from "Hybernia", the ancient Gaelic word for "Ireland," according to Richard T. Newcomb, the president of the York County Chapter, located here in Hanover.
Newcomb, who founded the order three years ago with Thomas O'Hara, said a major thrust of the organization is aimed at educating people about what's going on in Ireland and helping Irish Catholics in overcoming bigotry. "The English have been there for 800 years," Newcomb sald. "That's long enough, don't you think?"
The organization began in Ireland in 1565, when to be a Catholic meant certain persecution. At that time, to be a Catholic priest meant death for many. Newcomb said the original purpose of the organization was to protect the integrity of the church and its clergy.
"It is a peaceable group, though," Newcomb said. "We're not militant or anything." The American order began in 1836, according to Newcomb, when Irishmen were constructing St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. "In the morning workers would arrive to find most of the construction knocked down," Newcomb said. Hence, the need for an American AOH arose. In this area, Newcomb said a need for an organization arose, not so much for protection, but for awareness. "The Irish are very dormant here," he said. "We're just starting to find it." Since the York Chapter of the AOH was founded, Newcomb said the it has grown to 42 members. Any Adams County resident interested in becoming a member of the AOH is urged to contact Newcomb. "There isn't a chapter for Adams County at present, but we're working on it," Newcomb said. And if you're Irish, that's great, Newcomb said but it's not enough. The organization is strictly for Irish Catholics. This Saturday, the AOH is planning a dinner following 5:30 mass at St. Vincent's Church on Third Street in Hanover. Tickets to the event are $6, but if you haven't gotten them by now, you'd better hurry. "We've sold 160 tickets already, and can only cater for 200 people," Newcomb said. Tickets are available at Newcomb's Market on High Street in Hanover, where Irish sausage and other Irish imports are available.