New York’s Dan Dennehy named AOH’s National Director

Dan Dennehy, a long-time New York Irish activist, was elected as a national director of the Ancient Order of Hibernians at the group’s 98th biennial national convention in Atlantic City earlier this month.

Dennehy is a 30 year member of the AOH. he is a representative for CWA Local 1101. He is an advocate for immigration reform and other Irish and labor issues and founded the Hudson Valley Irish Fest and Center in Peekskill, which will host the eighth annual Hudson Valley Irish Fest on Saturday, September 24 at Peekskill Riverfront Park.

“Since the inception of the AOH in 1836, it has stood fast against defamation of Irish American and anti-Catholic discrimination here or in the North of Ireland. I look forward to serving the order and Judge McKay as we fight 50 years of inequitable U.S. immigration policy towards Ireland and as Ireland faces the consequences of Brexit. It is crucial that Irish Americans and the AOH ensure Ireland does not become a forgotten issue in America,” said Dennehy.

National president Judge James McKay of New Orleans, who succeeded two term President Brendan Moore from Nyack, will lead the National Board in addressing the issues of immigration, anti-defamation, the Irish peace process, justice and re-unification.

Dennehy, his wife, Siobhan and two daughters Ashling and Cara are parishioners of St. Columbanus Parish. In 2010, Siobhan was awarded the AOH/LAOH John F. Kennedy Award for her work as executive director of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center.

Other elected officers of the AOH National Board are McKay, Vice President Danny O’Connell from Ohio, Secretary Jere Cole from New Jersey, Treasurer Sean Pender from New Jersey and national directors Dennehy, Liam McNabb from New York, Tommy O’Donnell from Pennsylvania, Denny Parks from Ohio, William Sullivan from Massachusetts and John Wilson from Missouri. All will serve a two year term.