Hundreds of Hibernians from all over New York State and beyond are converging on Pearl River in Rockland County this week for the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies AOH Biennial New York State conventions.
It will be 96th biennial convention for the men, and 57th for the women of the Ladies AOH.
And in what is a first even for this most Irish of towns, the center of Pearl River is going to the setting for a Hibernian block party on Thursday evening and a free concert, “A Lark in the Park,” this at 5:30 p.m. at Central Avenue Field.
The convention, which runs from Wednesday until Sunday, takes place against the backdrop of national celebrations and ceremonies marking the 175th anniversary of the AOH, and the sense of history imparted by such a significant passage of years will be coursing through the five days of meetings, discussions, speeches and daily Masses at the Pearl River Hilton Hotel.
The convention doesn’t quite kick off on Wednesday, but rather swings off with a golf tournament under what are expected to be blue skies at Orangetown’s Blue Hill Golf Course.
As much as the convention is about meeting old friends and having a good time there is also a lot of serious business on the agenda, both relating to the Hibernians themselves, and the causes and charities supported by the order, both in New York and other states.
Speakers lined up for the convention include Pat Doherty of Sinn Féin, Fr. Sean McManus of the Irish National Caucus and Matt Morrison from Missouri, one of the members of the group known as “the deportees.”
Several “deportees” live in the Rockland County area. The AOH has been campaigning to have them — who since the Good Friday Agreement are allowed live and work in the U.S., but only on a renewable basis — given full legal resident status by Washington.
“It’s time these men benefit from the peace dividend as a result of their support for the peace,” was how one Pearl River-bound Hibernian put it to the Echo.
As well as broader issues including the peace process and efforts to reform U.S. immigration law in a way that is more favorable to the Irish, convention goers will also be addressing specific AOH matters, not least the election of a new state president for the men.
In that vote, Michael McNabb is poised to succeed outgoing NY State President Charles “Chip” McLean.
The convention, will be just one of a number of Irish American events in the area this week and in recent days. The Rockland County Feis takes place on Sunday, just as the convention is breaking up.
Last weekend, hundreds gathered across the Hudson River in Hartsdale for the annual American-Irish Heritage Day, sponsored by the American-Irish Association of Westchester County.
