Leadership & Honors
A combined roll of the national leadership and principal honors of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America — its Presidents, Chaplains, and Digest editors, and the recipients of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Medal and the Sean MacBride Humanitarian Award.
National Presidents
The elected National Presidents of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, with the site of the convention at which each administration was seated.
| Years | Name | Home | Convention Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1854–1856 | James Saunders, ND | New York | New York, NY |
| 1856–1858 | Peter R. Gaynor, ND | New York | New York, NY |
| 1858–1864 | James Sanford, ND | New York | New York, NY |
| 1864–1866 | Thomas Kearns, ND | New York | New York, NY |
| 1866–1869 | John Maguire, ND | New York | New York, NY |
| 1869–1877 | Patrick Campbell, ND | New York | New York, NY |
| 1877–1880 | John Hart, ND | New Jersey | New York, NY |
| 1878–1879 | John Hart, ND | New Jersey | Boston, MA |
| 1879–1880 | John Hart, ND | New Jersey | Cincinnati, OH |
| 1880–1881 | Peter Kiernan, ND | Louisiana | Philadelphia, PA |
| 1881–1882 | Peter Kiernan, ND | Louisiana | St. Louis, MO |
| 1882–1884 | Jeremiah Crowley, ND | Massachusetts | Chicago, IL |
| 1884–1886 | Henry F. Sheridan, ND | Illinois | Cleveland, OH |
| 1886–1888 | Maurice Wilhere, ND | Pennsylvania | St. Paul, MN |
| 1888–1890 | Maurice Wilhere, ND | Pennsylvania | Louisville, KY |
| 1890–1892 | Maurice Wilhere, ND | Pennsylvania | Hartford, CT |
| 1892–1894 | Maurice Wilhere, ND | Pennsylvania | New Orleans, LA |
| 1894–1896 | P.J. O'Conor | Georgia | Omaha, NE |
| 1896–1898 | P.J. O'Conor | Georgia | Detroit, MI |
| 1898–1900 | John T. Keating | Illinois | Trenton, NJ |
| 1900–1902 | John T. Keating | Illinois | Boston, MA |
| 1902–1904 | James E. Dolan | New York | Denver, CO |
| 1904–1906 | James E. Dolan | New York | St. Louis, MO |
| 1906–1908 | Matthew Cummings | Massachusetts | Saratoga, NY |
| 1908–1910 | Matthew Cummings | Massachusetts | Indianapolis, IN |
| 1910–1912 | James J. Regan | Minnesota | Portland, OR |
| 1912–1914 | James J. Regan | Minnesota | Chicago, IL |
| 1914–1916 | Joseph McLaughlin | Pennsylvania | Norfolk, VA |
| 1916–1918 | Joseph McLaughlin | Pennsylvania | Boston, MA |
| 1919–1921 | James E. Deery | Indiana | San Francisco, CA |
| 1921–1923 | James E. Deery | Indiana | Detroit, MI |
| 1923–1925 | Michael Donohoe | Pennsylvania | Montreal, Quebec |
| 1925–1927 | Michael Donohoe | Pennsylvania | Atlantic City, NJ |
| 1927–1929 | Martin L. Sweeney | Ohio | Buffalo, NY |
| 1929–1931 | Martin L. Sweeney | Ohio | Minneapolis, MN |
| 1931–1933 | Michael W. Delaney | Illinois | Newport, RI |
| 1933–1935 | Michael W. Delaney | Illinois | Chicago, IL |
| 1935–1937 | John E. Fenton | Massachusetts | Baltimore, MD |
| 1937–1939 | John E. Fenton | Massachusetts | Atlantic City, NJ |
| 1939–1941 | Joseph E. Kerrigan | Massachusetts | Pittsburgh, PA |
| 1941–1946 | Joseph E. Kerrigan | Massachusetts | St Paul, MN |
| 1946–1948 | Michael A. McGrath | Ohio | Syracuse, NY |
| 1948–1950 | Michael A. McGrath | Ohio | Montreal, Quebec |
| 1950–1952 | George R. Reilly | California | Boston, MA |
| 1952–1954 | George R. Reilly | California | Atlantic City, NJ |
| 1954–1956 | Michael J. Dowd | Washington DC | Chicago, IL |
| 1956–1958 | P. Frank Kean | Massachusetts | New York, NY |
| 1958–1960 | Jeremiah O'Callaghan | New Jersey | Providence, RI |
| 1960–1962 | Patrick J. Hogan | Connecticut | St. Louis, MO |
| 1962–1964 | James J. Comerford | New York | Pittsburgh, PA |
| 1964–1966 | William J. McEnery | Rhode Island | Albany, NY |
| 1966–1968 | Walter J. O'Leary | Massachusetts | Chicago, IL |
| 1968–1970 | Michael J. Delahunty | New Jersey | Philadelphia, PA |
| 1970–1972 | Edward J. Fay | Pennsylvania | Indianapolis, IN |
| 1972–1974 | Edward J. Fay | Pennsylvania | Dublin, Ireland |
| 1974–1976 | John M. Keane | Missouri | Anaheim, CA |
| 1976–1978 | John M. Keane | Missouri | Newport, RI |
| 1978–1980 | Thomas D. McNabb | New York | Killarney, Ireland |
| 1980–1982 | John P. Connolly | Massachusetts | Bal Harbour, FL |
| 1982–1984 | Joseph A. Roche | Pennsylvania | San Antonio TX |
| 1984–1986 | Joseph A. Roche | Pennsylvania | Albany, NY |
| 1986–1988 | Nicholasa J. Murphy | New York | Buffalo, NY |
| 1988–1990 | Michael J. Coogan | Ohio | Cleveland, OH |
| 1990–1992 | George J. Clough Jr. | Missouri | Alexandria, VA |
| 1992–1994 | George J. Clough Jr. | Missouri | New Orleans, LA |
| 1994–1996 | Edward J. Wallace | New York | Louisville, KY |
| 1996–1998 | Edward J. Wallace | New York | St. Paul, MN |
| 1998–2000 | Thomas E. Gilligan | Florida | Pittsburgh, PA |
| 2000–2002 | Thomas E. Gilligan | Florida | Baltimore, MD |
| 2002–2004 | Edward P. McGinley | Pennsylvania | Foxwood, CT |
| 2004–2006 | Edward P. McGinley | Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA |
| 2006–2008 | Jack Meehan | Massachusetts | Boston, MA |
| 2008–2010 | Seamus Boyle | Pennsylvania | New Orleans, LA |
| 2010–2012 | Seamus Boyle | Pennsylvania | Cincinnati, OH |
| 2012–2014 | Brendan Moore | New York | Turning Stone, NY |
| 2014–2016 | Brendan Moore | New York | St. Louis, MO |
| 2016–2018 | Jim McKay | New Orleans | Atlantic City, NJ |
| 2018–2020 | Jim McKay | New Orleans | Louisville, KY |
| 2020–2022 | Daniel J. O'Connell | Ohio | Youngstown, OH |
| 2022–2024 | Daniel J. O'Connell | Ohio | Pittsburgh, PA |
National Chaplains
The National Chaplains who have served the Order, with their residence at the time of service.
| Years | Name | Residence |
|---|---|---|
| 1890–1898 | Bishop John Samuel Foley | Detroit, Michigan |
| 1898–1902 | Archbishop Patrick A. Feehan | Chicago, Illinois |
| 1902–1904 | Bishop John Joseph Glennon | Kansas City, Missouri |
| 1904–1906 | Archbishop John M. Farley | New York, New York |
| 1906–1908 | Reverend John D. Kennedy | Danbury, Connecticut |
| 1908–1910 | Archbishop William H. O'Connell | Boston, Massachusetts |
| 1910–1914 | Bishop John Patrick Carroll | Helena, Montana |
| 1914–1921 | Bishop Dennis J. O'Connell | Richmond, Virginia |
| 1921–1925 | Bishop Michael J. Gallagher | Detroit, Michigan |
| 1925–1935 | Archbishop John Joseph Glennon | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 1935–1937 | Bishop James A. Griffin | Springfield, Illinois |
| 1937–1941 | Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen | Washington, D.C. |
| 1941–1948 | Reverend Francis P. Fenton O.S.A. | Chicago, Illinois |
| 1948–1952 | Archbishop Richard J. Cushing | Boston, Massachusetts |
| 1952–1956 | Archbishop James J. McNulty | Newark, New Jersey |
| 1956–1958 | Archbishop Patrick A. O'Boyle | Washington, D.C. |
| 1958–1960 | Archbishop Thomas A. Boland | Newark, New Jersey |
| 1960–1962 | Bishop Lawrence J. Shehan | Bridgeport, Connecticut |
| 1962–1964 | Francis Cardinal Spellman | New York, New York |
| 1964–1966 | Bishop Russell J. McVinny | Providence, Rhode Island |
| 1966–1968 | Bishop Jeremiah F. Minehan | W. Roxbury, Massachusetts |
| 1968–1970 | Archbishop Thomas A. Boland | Newark, New Jersey |
| 1970–1974 | Bishop Vincent M. Leonard | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 1974–1978 | Reverend Terence Lee M.H.M. | Sunset Hills, Missouri |
| 1978–1982 | Bishop Thomas J. Drury | Corpus Christi, Texas |
| 1982–1988 | Reverend John V. Ahern | Syracuse, New York |
| 1988–1989 | Bishop Thomas J. Drury | Corpus Christi, Texas |
| 1989–1990 | Reverend Donal O'Carroll | Steubenville, Ohio |
| 1990–1994 | Bishop Edward J. O'Donnell | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 1994–1998 | Reverend John V. Ahern | Syracuse, New York |
| 1998–2002 | Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey | Orlando, Florida |
| 2002–2006 | Reverend Patrick Sullivan | Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania |
| 2006–2008 | Reverend Bartley McPhaidin | Boston, Massachusetts |
| 2008–2010 | Reverend Patrick Sullivan | Boston, Massachusetts |
| 2010–2012 | Reverend Thomas O'Donnell | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 2012–2014 | Reverend John V. Ahern | Syracuse, New York |
| 2014–2016 | Reverend Thomas O'Donnell | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 2016–2018 | Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi | Alabama |
| 2020–2024 | Reverend John Keehner | Ohio |
| 2020–2024 | Reverend Michael Healy | Ohio |
Editors of the Hibernian Digest
The National Editors of the Hibernian Digest and its predecessor national organ, with their location.
| Years | National Editor |
|---|---|
| 1901–1919 | Patrick J. Haltigan (Washington D.C.) |
| 1919–1924 | James E. Deery (Indianapolis, IN) |
| 1924–1931 | John O'Dea (Philadelphia, PA) |
| 1931–1940 | Thomas H. Buckley (Abington, MA) |
| 1940–1950 | Francis O'Brien (Lawrence, MA) |
| 1950–1954 | Jeremiah Mulvihill (San Francisco, CA) |
| 1954–1958 | George Reilly (San Francisco, CA) |
| 1958–1962 | James J. Comerford (New York, NY) |
| 1962–1964 | William McEnery (Providence, RI) |
| 1964–1968 | John Duffy (New York, NY) |
| 1968–1969 | Thomas P.J. Barrett (Newark, NJ) |
| 1969–1970 | John Leahy (Trenton, NJ) |
| 1970–1972 | James J. Comerford (New York, NY) |
| 1972–1974 | John Reynolds (Lake grove, NY) |
| 1974–1976 | Dave Burke (Lawrence, MA) |
| 1976–1978 | Liam Murphy (Irvington, NY) |
| 1978–1982 | George Foley (Troy, NY) |
| 1982–1984 | Thomas D. McNabb (Auburn, NY) |
| 1984–1990 | David Henshaw (Lynbrook, NY) |
| 1990–1998 | James Brennan (Spring Hill, FL) |
| 1998–2006 | Francis Feighery (The Bronx, NY) |
| 2006–2008 | Mike McCormack (Centereach, NY) |
| 2008–2011 | Keith Carney (Washington, D.C.) |
| 2011– | John O'Connell (Glen Cove, NY) |
John F. Kennedy Memorial Medals
Recipients of the AOH John F. Kennedy Memorial Medal, awarded for distinguished service. Biographical notes are shown with each recipient.
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 1966 | Hon. James A. FarleyU.S. Postmaster General (1933-1940), Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (1932-1940), member of AOH Div 29 New York Co.; New York, NY |
| 1967 | Hon. John E. FentonAOH Past National President (1935-39), President of Suffolk University, Knight of the Holy Sepulcher; Lawrence, MA |
| 1968 | Joseph M. BrennanAOH Past National Treasurer and New Jersey State Secretary (1916-1932), 76-year member of AOH Div 3; Orange, NJ |
| 1969 | Colonel James A. McDevitt, U.S.A.F.NASA Astronaut; Commander of Gemini IV and Apollo IX; Houston, TX |
| 1970 | Most Reverend Thomas A. Boland, S.T.D., LL.D.Archbishop of Newark, AOH Past National Chaplain (1958-60) |
| 1971 | Hon. Richard J. DaleyMayor of Chicago, member of AOH Division 59 Cook Co.; Chicago, IL |
| 1972 | Hon. John D. J. Moore & Hon. James J. ComerfordHon. John D. J. Moore: U.S. Ambassador to Ireland; & Hon. James J. Comerford: AOH Past National President (1962-64), IRA Volunteer, Kilkenny Battalion (1919-22), Grand Marshal of the New York City St. Patrick's Day parade (1957), Knight of the Holy Sepulcher; New York, NY |
| 1973 | Hon. John J. GilliganGovernor of Ohio, alumnus of the University of Notre Dame; Columbus, OH |
| 1974 | Hugh J. DevoreUniversity of Notre Dame Head Football Coach (1945 & 1963) & former coach of the Philadelphia Eagles & the Green Bay Packers, alumnus of the University of Notre Dame; Houston, TX |
| 1975 | Most Reverend Thomas J. DruryBishop of Corpus Christi; Corpus Christi, TX |
| 1976 | Eoin McKiernan, Ph.DExecutive Director, Irish American Cultural Institute & Professor, College of St. Thomas; St. Paul, MN |
| 1977 | Patrick J. HoganAOH Past National President (1960-62), IRA Volunteer (1920-1923); Stamford, CT |
| 1978 | Pat O'BrienActor; Los Angeles, CA |
| 1979 | Lillian E. FayLAOH Past National President (1952-1956); Washington, DC |
| 1980 | Hon. Denis DillonNassau County D.A., member AOH Division 14 Nassau Co.; Rockville Centre, NY |
| 1982 | Thomas W. "Teddy" GleasonInternational President – International Longshoreman's Association (ILA), Vice President, AFL-CIO; New York, NY |
| 1984 | Brother Mathias BarrettFounder, Little Brothers of the Good Shepard; Albuquerque, NM |
| 1986 | Martin HigginsAOH National Chairman, Freedom for All Ireland Committee; Woodmere, NY |
| 1988 | Dennis Patrick LongFormer President, Anheuser-Busch, Inc; Sunset Hills, MO |
| 1990 | John P. ConnollyAOH Past National President (1980-1982); Watertown, MA |
| 1992 | Reverend Desmond WilsonDirector, Springhill Community House and author; Belfast, Ireland |
| 1994 | His Eminence John Cardinal O'ConnorArchbishop of New York; New York, NY |
| 1996 | John Hume & Gerry AdamsJohn Hume: Member of the European Parliament and Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party; Derry, Ireland & Gerry Adams: President, Sinn Fein; Belfast, Ireland |
| 1998 | Hon. Peter L. KingMember of the U.S. House of Representatives (3rd District-New York); Massapequa Park, NY |
| 2000 | Hon. Raymond L. FlynnFormer U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See and former Mayor of Boston, member of AOH Division 14 Middlesex Co; Boston, MA |
| 2002 | Christopher MatthewsPolitical commentator and television personality; Washington, DC |
| 2004 | Reverend Aidan Troy, C.P.Rector of Holy Cross Parish and Chairman of the Board of Governors of Holy Cross Girls' Primary School; Belfast, Ireland |
| 2006 | Congressman Richard NealDemocratic Leader of the Friends of Ireland and one of Irish America Magazine's Top 100 Irish Americans |
| 2008 | Robert Gesslerpast president of AOH Div 87 Port Richmond; originator of the Hibernian Hunger Project and founder and Chairman of the Hibernian Community Development Corporation – an organization that rehabilitates houses for Hibernian families and provides educational opportunities to disadvantaged Philadelphians |
| 2010 | Siobhan DennehyExecutive Director of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center for her work with Irish immigrants |
| 2012 | Rev. Patrick J. Sullivan, C.S.C., PhDExecutive Secretary and Chaplain of the Labor Guild of the Archdiocese of Boston; professor, King's College (PA); AOH Past National Chaplain; and author |
| 2014 | Mairtin O Muilleoir58th Lord Mayor of Belfast (2013-2014) and Belfast City Councilor for Balmoral; author and businessman |
| 2016 | Major General Patrick Henry Brady, USA retiredrecipient of the Medal of Honor (1969); author of Dead Men Flying; Notre Dame Alumnus from Converse, TX |
| 2018 | Denis P. Mulcahyfounder of Project Children; member of NYPD Bomb Squad; resident of Greenwood Lake |
| 2020 | Congressman Brendan F. BoylePennsylvania member of the U.S. House of Representatives |
| 2022 | Rocky BleierAmerican former professional football player; Notre Dame Football Team Captain; Veteran of the United States Army |
| 2024 | Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick |
Sean MacBride Humanitarian Awards
Recipients of the Sean MacBride Humanitarian Award.
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Author/Activist Oliver Kearney |
| 1991 | PNP Joseph A. Roche |
| 1993 | Congressman Bruce Morrison |
| 1995 | Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds |
| 1997 | NY State Legislator John Dearie |
| 1999 | Congressman Tom Manton |
| 2001 | Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey |
| 2003 | Great Hunger advocate Don Mullen |
| 2005 | Sgt. Patrick Duggan |
| 2007 | Hibernian Charity coordinator David Burke |
| 2009 | Irish Echo editor Raymond O'Hanlon |
| 2011 | Humanitarian/Activist Clara Reilly |
| 2013 | Mick Dunleavy |
| 2015 | Brian O'Dwyer |
| 2017 | Niall Burgess |
| 2021 | Geraldine Finucane |
| 2023 | Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern |
Compiled from the national leadership and honors records of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America (aoh.com).