About AOH Savannah
Established in 1883, A.O.H. Division One Savannah was the first A.O.H. Division organized in the Deep South. Under the leadership of founding Division One President Patrick J. O’Connor, three additional A.O.H. Divisions were formed in Savannah by the end of the 19th century and the “seeds of Hibernianism were spread” throughout Georgia and South Carolina with the organization of new AOH Divisions in Augusta, Macon, Atlanta, and Charleston (S.C.).
As the dominant Irish society in Savannah during the late 19th and early 20th Century, AOH Division One organized the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration from 1890 until the formation of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee in 1926 – which included many charter members from the ranks of the AOH.
After an extended period of inactivity, the Division was reorganized in 1983 under the leadership of Monsignor Daniel J. Bourke and has since been an integral part of the Savannah Irish Community, its members having played key roles in the establishment of the Celtic Cross Ceremony, the Savannah Irish Festival, and recently, the biennial AOH Irish Road Bowling Tournament.
Division One Officers
President
Jim Halley
Vice President
Bob Ciucevich
Treasurer
Mike Sweeney
Financial Secretary
Pete Connolly
Recording Secretary
Paul Wood
The long-standing tradition of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah
Since its establishment in 1883, the members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (A.O.H.) have been an integral part of Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. A.O.H. Division One Savannah was the first A.O.H. Division organized in the Deep South. Under the leadership of founding Division One President Patrick J. O’Connor, three additional A.O.H. Divisions were formed in Savannah by the end of the 19th century and the “seeds of Hibernianism were spread” throughout Georgia and South Carolina with the organization of new A.O.H Divisions in Augusta, Macon, Atlanta, and Charleston (S.C.). O’Connor would go on to serve as national president of both the A.O.H. and the Catholic Knights of America. As one of the dominant Irish societies in Savannah during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, the four divisions of the A.O.H played an important role in organizing Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. After 1900, A.O.H Hall on the corner of Bay and Abercorn Streets would serve as the beginning of the parade for many years. With over 400 members, the four divisions of the A.O.H were a staple of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade for several decades – along with the Benedictine Cadets, who first served as an honor guard to the A.O.H in 1903.
After the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee was founded in 1926, many members of the A.O.H joined the committee to continue assisting in the organization of the parade. By 1936 the once flourishing divisions of the A.O.H became inactive and its members were absorbed by other organizations – such as the Knights of Columbus. In 1983 A.O.H Division One was reorganized by Monsignor Daniel J. Bourke. Monsignor Bourke – along with future Bishop Emeritus Kevin J. Boland, was one of the founders of the Celtic Cross Ceremony. In 1993 the Savannah Irish Festival was founded by members of the A.O.H and was supported by the Division in union with all of Savannah’s Irish societies. A few years later, the inaugural Savannah Irish Road Bowling Tournament – which is in its 28th year, was organized by then Division President Christopher Hagan. In 1997 the A.O.H and the entire Savannah Catholic community mourned the passing of Monsignor Daniel J. Bourke. Division One was renamed The Monsignor Daniel J. Bourke A.O.H Division One in honor of its longtime chaplain. Since this time the A.O.H has continued to be a part of organizing and supporting Savannah’s Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations.