The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), America’s oldest Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization, was founded in May 1836 in New York City and traces its roots back to a series of similar societies that existed in Ireland for more than 300 years. These early Irish societies helped keep the Catholic faith alive in occupied Ireland by protecting fellow Irish Catholics and our clergy, both of whom risked execution after the passage of the Penal Laws of 1691. Here in America, men emulating these Irish societies joined together to protect the clergy, but also to help the Irish immigrants in their struggles in a new land. Now, it is the largest and most influential body of Irish Catholic men in the country.

Membership in the Order is open to all Catholic men of Irish birth or descent (a spoonful of Irish qualifies), at least 16 years old, who reside in the United States and are willing to live by our motto: Friendship, Unity and True Christian Charity. St. Brendan the Navigator Division was formed in 2009 and is one of two active divisions in Mecklenburg County. St. Brendan’s Division has over 75 Brothers who are active parishioners at St. Mark in Huntersville, as well as neighboring parishes.

By means of our activities and events, our goals are to foster the ideals and perpetuate the history, culture and traditions of the Irish people. We support the Catholic Church and its clergy and strive to protect and defend all life. We raise and donate funds for various charitable endeavors. The St. Brendan
the Navigator Division focuses on Four Core Charities: Local Catholic Education, Parish & Clergy Support, Pro-Life Action, and The Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice in Ireland. We also make donations to Seminarians, veterans’ groups and others in our local community. Through our St. Patrick’s Celebration Dinner & Show and our Ireland of Your Dreams Raffle, our Division has been blessed with the resources to have donated over $40,000 to these groups and organizations over the past five years.

If you have an interest in keeping the Irish traditions and culture alive – art, dance, music and sports and would enjoy being introduced to the social atmosphere of the Irish-American community, and become part of our organization, contact Ray FitzGerald (rfitzg@aol.com) for additional info or visit our national
website, aoh.com, or our Division’s website, www.aohmeck2.org.

2027 Hibernian St. Patrick’s Dinner & Show

When: Saturday, March 13, 2027 6:30 – 10:00 pm

Where: Msrgr. Kerin Family Center, St. Mark Catholic Church

The St. Brendan the Navigator Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), a Catholic-Irish Fraternal Organization, will be presenting their annual St. Patrick’s Dinner and Show.

Entertainment includes Irish Music, featuring Mickey Spain, a Sing along, Irish Step Dancers and a Silent Auction.

Admission includes a traditional Irish dinner and dessert. “Tis a grand time we’ll be having” and you don’t have to be Irish to enjoy this fun-filled evening.

Admission: $35 for adults, $15 for children 6-12 years of age. No charge for children under 6.  

This annual event is usually a sellout, so be sure to purchase your tickets early.

Contact: Ray FitzGerald (704) 992-1702 (aohmeck2@aol.com) or Bernard Holst (704) 507-3261 (bholst560@gmail.com)