Ancient Order Of Hibernian’s
Division 22 Philadelphia
Fire Fighter John J. Redmond
Division 22 was founded on March 6,1997 . Twenty six Philadelphia Firefighters decided
to expand their Irish heritage. The number 22 coincides with local 22 of the Firefighters
union. The Division chose to honor John Redmond, a firefighter who had made the supreme
sacrifice by giving his life so others might live , while fighting a fire in 1994
at the Rising Sun Baptist Church in South Philadelphia . The Division's first President
was Tom Meehan , who is still with the division and served as Director of PA AOH
District 1.The mission of the Division was to promote Irish culture and heritage
as it would be practiced by John Redmond. John was a staunch catholic, a devoted
father and husband ,an outstanding firefighter , and proud of his "IRISH". John was
a proud member of the James "FROGGY" Carr New Years Association and cherished his
South Philly roots. At the time of his untimely death, he was an active member of
ST. Mathews Parish in Mayfair , a Pre-
The Division membership is made up of active and retired Philadelphia firefighters, Drexel Hill firefighters, their families and friends and individuals from all walks of life. Firefighting seemed to bond the Irish . As we are one of the largest ethnic groups associated with this noble profession world wide. The Hibernia fire company was formed in in 1752, some time before the AOH Many prominent Philadelphians were members. The fire companies went to war as units , both in the Revolutionary and Civil war. Many companies of the "Irish Brigade" were from the fire service.When the Philadelphia Fire Department was formed from the fire companies , as a paid service, Hibernia was given the number Engine 22. Engine 22 still exists to this very day serving Northeast Philly , giving over 250 years of service to the citizenry. One of Divisions 22's mottoes is "FAUGH A BALLAGH" This was the battle cry of the Irish Brigade. A fitting cry for firefighters, as it means " clear the way".
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As we share our profession ,being Irish and Catholic is what bonds us also. We reach out to many different agencies in our charitable works, especially those closest to us. The Division donates communion outfits to selected parishes as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. The Division is a proud sponsor of the IPPCH and hosted Sin Fein Councilor Michael Ferguson on their behalf. The Division regularly supports the Hero Scholarship fund , which provides tuition assistance to the children of fallen police and firefighters, the Police and Fire handicapped Assn. ,Project Pegasus (which teaches physically challenged children to ride) and the Katie Duffin memorial toy drive, named in memory of member Brian Deal s cousin ,who had a rare form of cancer. The toy drive is held each year to distribute toys to the children of St. Christopher's hospital for children and other families in need.
As well as the designated charities of the order.The division sponsors an award at the annual Firefighter Recognition Day. This event honors the heroic acts of Philadelphia firefighters and paramedics. The most prestigious award is the John Redmond Award. This award is given to the the person who embodies the spirit of what John Redmond stood for. Past President of Division 22 Tim McShea was recipient of this ward. We also sponsor the John Redmond Communion mass and breakfast held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Engine 10 and Ladder 11 firehouse in South Philly. John Redmond was a member of Ladder 11 at the time of his tragic passing. Many members of this station are members.
The Irish love a parade and Division 22 leads the pack. with its color guard, resplendent in Kelly green kilts and black sweaters. The flag standards are pike poles a tool used in firefighting and Division officers may also be seen in "Class A" blouse coats. The division banner bears a red Maltese Cross in the center and the division motto on the bottom. Members are proud to wear their division shirts with "Bhoys in Blue" on the back and "fir na tine" on the front which means men of fire.. The division "Flag Shirt" has a replica of of a Dublin Volunteer Brigade Flag which reportedly flew over GPO on Easter Monday ,1916 The flag was authenticated by a request from the Collins Barracks Museum for a loan. The Division flag leads the Bhoys as they march in Philadelphia, Boston , New York and North Wildwood or where ever the winds may carry us. As Catholics, we were taught to prey the rosary, so every member is issued a rosary as he is sworn in. In the old days , before ID cards you could identify the Irish by beads in their pocket.The Division has an active role in the Order, with many members serving on County and State Board , both elected and appointed. On January 28th 2004 a memorial was dedicated in John Redmond's name at Engine 10 and Ladder 11 to honor all members of the company who have given their lives in the line of duty.
History of the AOH
The service of the Irish in Washington’s army mitigated the intensity of that intolerance to a degree, but the basic bigotry had already taken root. The great number of Irish Catholics who arrived diseased and destitute at the time of Ireland.s Great Hunger gave new fuel to those fires of bigotry which were still smouldering. The massive influx of Irish, fleeing starvation in their native land, focused Know Nothing hatred on that unfortunate group, and on the Catholic Church which they supported. Employers closed their doors to Irish workers, and legislation, reminiscent of the penal laws, was sought against the immigrant population who, it was stated, diluted American principles. After threats and attacks on Irish and Church property in several cities, the Irish immigrant resorted to a familiar tactic.
Those societies which had formed as fraternal organizations added a militant dimension to their charters, and stood in defense of Church and community.As they had done in Ireland, some of these organizations banded together. As the Know Nothings expanded nationwide, the need for a national protective society for the Irish increased. On St Patrick.s Day, 1836, a group from the Hibernian Benevolent Society of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, traveled to New York.s annual parade and a meeting with leaders of the St. Patrick.s Fraternal Society to discuss a national merger.Many in both organizations had been member of Ribbon Societies in Ireland, and they agreed that the time had come for an American version of that organization. The members of the Hibernian Benevolent Society returned to Pennsylvania and three month later the Ancient Order of Hibernians was founded simultaneously in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and at St. James Church in lower Manhattan near the infamous Five Points tenements. True to their purpose, they stood guard to defend Irish and Church property. After their formation, actual attacks were few and far between, but the long, cold, and lonely nights of vigil were many. At about this time, the Ribbon Societies in Ireland also adopted the name Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Order now had connections with the mother country.
The early AOH in America remained a secret society, and little is known of its activities
except that it provided a monetary stipend to immigrants who arrived as members of
the Irish societies, assisted Irish immigrants in obtaining jobs and social services,
and, quite naturally, became nurseries for the preservation of their Irish heritage
in America.As the heroism of the Irish Brigade and other Irish units in the American
Civil War had America cheering for the exploits of the sons of Erin in American uniform,
the honesty, devotion, and natural charm of the Irish girls, who had found employment
as domestic help, were winning admirers on the home front. The natural result of
this new regard was a decrease in the prejudice against the Irish, and the Know Nothing
Party, recognized for the bigoted body it was, faded away. It would emerge again
in organizations like the Ku Klux Klan, and other groups dedicated to ethnic hatred
and anti-
As the need for militant support of their Church dwindled, the AOH shifted its purpose to charitable activities in support of the Church's missions, community service, and the promotion and preservation of their Irish cultural heritage in America. Today they stand, not only as the oldest Catholic Lay organization in America, but as the largest Irish ethnic society in the world with Divisions across the United States, and close ties with the AOH in Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales. In America, the Division is the basic unit of the Order. Divisions are combined into County Boards, which are in turn governed by State Boards, and an overall National Board elected every two years. Annual dances, concerts, and parades sponsored at all levels of the Order raise millions for charity while providing a showcase for the positive contributions the Irish have made in every walk of American life.
The many Divisions and Hibernian Halls across the country have traditionally provided a welcome for new immigrants. Here, the unique art, dance, music, and other interests of the Irish are fostered and preserved, making the AOH a home away from home for many. Together, they are at the forefront of support for issues concerning the Irish such as Emigration Reform, MacBride Legislation, and the Right to Life. They have served their Church well, yet, they never forgot their ancestral homeland, and can always be found actively lobbying, praying, and working for the total independence of a united 32 county Ireland . as their constitution avows: ;by all means constitutional and lawful;.The initials AOH may tell the story best. Those who say it means are describing the easygoing, no rush attitude of many of its members, while ;America.s Only Hope has been used to define the loyalty of the Irish to the principles of their adopted land. In any case, the Order is best described by the statement, To be Irish is a Blessing, To be a Hibernian is an Honor.