Our Division
We are a division of the New Jersey State AOH Board and the National Ancient Order of Hibernians in America. We are the 2nd largest division in New Jersey, and the 14th largest in America.
Our division is a civic, charitable and fraternal organization of practicing Catholics of Irish decent located in Somerset County. Our members come from Central New Jersey and surrounding communities.
Our division was founded in 1983 and was formed by 16 charter members Since then, our membership has grown to 340 plus members. Our primary goals are to promote Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity and to Keep the Tradition Alive by sponsoring many Irish activities.
Division meetings are held monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 8:00pm, at the Knights of Columbus clubhouse at 495 East Main Street in Somerville. No meetings in July and August.
To learn more about our division, please feel free to browse our site and contact us if you have any questions. Below are our goals and some of the charities we support.
Our Purpose
The Purpose and Goals of this Division, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America are:
- To promote Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity
- To foster and sustain Loyalty to Country and Community
- To aid and advance, by all legitimate means, the aspirations and endeavors of the Irish people for complete independence, promoting Peace with Justice and Unity for Ireland
- To foster the ideals and perpetuate the History and Traditions of the Irish people in America
- To promote Irish Culture
- To encourage civic participation by all of our members
- To encourage an equitable U.S. immigration law for Ireland, and to cooperate with all groups for a fair and just Immigration Policy in the United States
- To accept and support, without prejudice, the concept of free expression of religious practice for all people of the world
Our Charities
Through our fund raising activities, and the generosity of our members, our Division contributes to many of our local charities and to those whose needs arises throughout the year. Below is a list of some of the charities and organizations that we donate to:
- Project Children
- This organization helps to bring Northern Ireland children to America for a peaceful summer
- Center for Great Expectations
- Helps to support unwed mothers who choose birth over abortion
- Freedom For All Ireland Christmas Appeal
- Support Irish political cause in Northern Ireland
- Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in Raritan
- Our Annual Mass and other donations as needed helps support the oldest Irish built Catholic church in our area
- Thanksgiving Turkey Dinners
- Along with the Knights of Columbus, we purchase turkeys and fixings to deliver to needy families as identified by one or more of our local parishes
- Somerville Knights of Columbus
- Donations to help maintain their clubhouse in which we hold our meetings and various activities
- SHIP(Samaritan Homeless Interim Program)
- Located in Somerville and headed by one of our own Brothers, Tom O'Leary, provides food and Holiday meals to needy Somerset County residents and homeless
- Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children
- Provides shelter for abused, neglected and homeless youth
- St Jude's Children's Hospital
- For the past several years, we have donated money to St Jude's thru our Annual John Greenleaf Memorial Golf Tournament
- Hibernian Charity
- Our AOH National Charity Organization donates money to Project St. Patrick and Project Hunger