About Our Division
Proudly serving Plymouth County, Massachusetts since May 18, 1992.
Our Division, Our Brotherhood
Founded on May 18, 1992, the Father John Murphy Division serves Plymouth County as the AOH of the South Shore. We meet monthly and remain active throughout the year through Irish cultural programs, community service, charitable fundraising, historical remembrance and fellowship.
Our national Order was established in the United States in 1836 to support Irish Catholics and their communities. Today, we continue its traditions while building an active Irish-American community on the South Shore.
Become a Brother Hibernian
Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity
Friendship
We build lasting bonds among brothers and their families through gatherings, shared Irish heritage, cultural programs and service.
Unity
We stand together in support of our community, the preservation of Irish identity and the aspiration for a peaceful, just and united Ireland.
Christian Charity
We put our values into action through hunger relief, scholarships, charitable fundraising and service to those in need.
From national history to local action
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is America’s oldest Irish Catholic fraternal organization. Our Division carries its mission forward through traditional Irish music, South Shore Seisiúns, lectures, the Craic on the Coast podcast, the South Shore Irish Heritage Trail and commemorations such as the Brig St. John remembrance.
Heritage & Culture
Music, historical lectures, commemorations and preservation projects.
Explore heritage →Community & Charity
Food drives, the Dr. William & Rita O’Connell Scholarship, and fundraising for neighbors in need.
Explore charity →Our Namesake
Father John Murphy, the County Wexford priest remembered for his role in the 1798 Rebellion, inspires our Division’s commitment to Irish history.
Learn more about the Order’s history and mission at AOH National ↗.
Father John Murphy and the Rising of 1798
Born around 1753 in Tincurry near Ferns, County Wexford, John Murphy entered the priesthood during an era when the legacy of Ireland’s Penal Laws still shaped Catholic life. After studying in Seville, Spain, he returned to Wexford in 1785 and served as curate in the Boolavogue area.
In the spring of 1798, tensions between the authorities and the United Irishmen erupted into rebellion. As violence and reprisals spread through Wexford, Father Murphy emerged as a leader among local insurgents. On May 27, his forces defeated government troops at Oulart Hill, a pivotal early victory. The campaign continued through Enniscorthy and other engagements, with thousands of ordinary people drawn into the conflict.
After the defeat of the Wexford rebels, Murphy traveled through the countryside with fellow insurgent James Gallagher. They were captured near Tullow, County Carlow, on July 2, 1798. Both were condemned and executed. Murphy’s death made him an enduring figure in Irish historical memory, remembered in particular through the ballad Boolavogue.
For our Division, his name is a reminder of the importance of preserving Irish history, honoring sacrifice, and passing the story of the Irish people to future generations.
The Pikemen of Wexford
The pike—a long wooden shaft fitted with a metal point—became an emblem of the 1798 Rising. Many Wexford rebels were farmers and tradesmen who lacked military weapons and fought with locally made pikes.
Today the famous bronze Pikeman statue in Wexford’s Bull Ring commemorates those who took part in the rebellion. Created by Irish sculptor Oliver Sheppard and unveiled in 1905, it stands as a lasting reminder of courage, resistance and remembrance.
Its symbolism provides a natural bridge between our Division’s namesake and the recognition we bestow through our annual awards.
Our Annual Pikeman Awards
Named for the ordinary men who stood alongside Father John Murphy during the 1798 Rebellion, our Division’s Pikeman Awards recognize individuals whose service, leadership and commitment reflect the values we strive to uphold: Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity.
Honoring service and commitment
Through the Pikeman Awards, we recognize meaningful contributions to Irish heritage, the Irish-American community and public service. The award connects today’s acts of dedication to the enduring story of the Wexford pikemen.
2026 honorees: Congressman Bill Keating and Consul General of Ireland Sighle FitzGerald. Ceremony details will be announced when finalized.