Monsignor Lawrence E. Giblin Division One
Broome County, NY - June 2025

 IRISH HISTORY

IRISH HISTORY -  IRISH CANAL DIGGERS OF THE 1800s:

  Many Irish came to America well before the American Revolution. However, in the early 1800s, a large influx of Irish arrived in America. This influx consisted of many unmarried men without families. Why did they come? Remember, this was before the Great Famine, (the An Gorta Mór). Perhaps they came as adventure seekers or to seek fame and fortune. It may have been due to a collapse in the Irish textile industry or perhaps because of the oppressive government. At the time, the British rulers had banned Irish Catholics from owning property in Ireland.
  The canal business in America was booming. So, the Irish first came to upstate New York to dig the Erie Canal. It was said at the time, “all you need to dig a canal is a pick, a shovel, and an Irishman”. But canal digging was no joke. Native born Americans were not eager to take back-breaking jobs in remote areas. So, desperate young Irishmen showed up. After completing the dangerous, years-long Erie Canal project, many moved on to build the Lehigh Navigation Canal, a 46-mile route that carried anthracite coal from the mines to market. Irish workers were instrumental in digging all the anthracite canals of northeast Pennsylvania. Irish canal building was not limited to New York and Pennsylvania. Major canals were dug in Ohio, Indiana, and elsewhere. Builders in Louisiana began advertising for canal diggers in Ireland. As a result, ships of Irish laborers arrived in New Orleans to dig the New Basin Canal. (The term “Irish Channel” was often used as a slang name for this canal).
  It should be noted that canal builders were some of the first settlers of nearby Silver Lake, Pennsylvania. Wealthy landowner Dr. Robert Rose needed people to settle the then-wild area of Silver Lake, and he had been told that he should try the Irish. They were conditioned to hard work from canal digging and now had a little money to purchase land (which they could not do in Ireland). Canal construction played a significant role in the rise of industrial America, opening new markets and increasing commerce. The work went forward using simple tools and the brute strength of men and animals, with diggers working twelve-hour days and suffering the ravages of disease and injury. Most of these workers were Irish immigrants. They were housed in shanty towns hastily thrown up along the path of the canals. The work was harsh, and many died during construction. The Irish canal builders are another example of how our immigrant
ancestors helped build America and laid the foundation for the lives we live today. We should not forget them.

– Bill Burke
Sources: History Fort Wayne- The Fighting Irish: Canal Builders -
Stone & Calloway, The Wild Geese- Canals Dug by Irish in U.S. -Marg Campbell 2/27/2017,
The National Canal Museum- Lucky to Have the Irish- M. Capwell Fox.​​

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS

  Membership in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Inc. is confined to men 16 years and older who are practicing Roman Catholics of Irish birth or descent and who are citizens of United States of America or who have declared their intentions to become citizens of the United States of America.

Associate memberships are also available to those who do not meet the aforementioned qualification.

It is a standing rule that Applications for Membership that languish without action for longer than 6 months are discarded.

Notifications for induction dates and times, through the Shamrock Degree, are sent to all applicants.
Those who have applied prior to this 6 month period, and are serious about joining the A.O.H., need to reapply for admission and make arrangements to attend a Shamrock Degree ceremony within the next six month.

Those interested in membership must stop into the Hall to submit an application as they must have an active member sponsor them and sign the form.

Please check the Bartender Schedule page here for days and times the hall is open.

AOH FINANCIAL NEWS

The 2025 AOH membership cards will be arriving shortly. We’d appreciate you paying your dues at your earliest convenience. The dues are $40.00. Drop off or mail your payment to: AOH Hall, 148 Main St., Binghamton, NY 13905. Attn: Mark Kadlecik. If you have an address change, please let us know. It’s the only way we can keep our records straight and ensure you’ll get all the mailings.

LAOH Juniors & LAOH County Board Notices

are now located on the LAOH page of this website. 

 Parade Committee.

Parade Day 2026 is March 7, 2026

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​ CORPORATION NEWS

  Thanks to all who supported the Hall during our St. Patrick's events. Special thanks to Diane Durgin and the kitchen volunteers who worked hard preparing, selling the food, and cleaning the kitchen.

  Thanks also to Cookie Luke for ensuring the Hall was ready for the many music, St. Patrick's, and funeral events.

Corporation President Bill Burke.

2024 Event Pictures, click here.