Ancient Order of Hibernians
Montgomery County Division 4
Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity
Writings from famous and not so famous Irishmen (and Women)
I AM OF IRISH AMERICA
I AM OF IRISH AMERICA. I AM A CHILD OF IMMIGRANTS.
I AM OF A PEOPLE WHO FOR OVER EIGHT HUNDRED YEARS HAVE BENT A KNEE TO NO KING BUT THE
KING OF HEAVEN AND BOWED A HEAD TO NO QUEEN BUT THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN.
I AM OF A DISPERSED PEOPLE SENT INTO SLAVERY TO BARBADOS, IN CHAINS TO AUSTRALIA AND IN
FAMINE TO AMERICA.
I AM OF A PEOPLE WHO TORE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR FATHER’S TREMBLING ARMS, KISSED THEIR
TEAR-STAINED MOTHER’S FACE GOODBYE, AND TRAVELLED ALL OVER THE WORLD TO KEEP A ROOF
OVER BELOVED HEADS AND FOOD ON THE HUNGRY TABLE.
I AM OF AN EMPIRE UPON WHICH NO SUN CAN SET.
FOR WHEREVER YOU GO IN THIS WHOLE WIDE WORLD, WHEREVER A HOUSE OF GOD HAS RISEN,
WHEREVER AN HOUR OF LEARNING FOUNDED OR A TREE OF LIBERTY PLANTED BY LOVING HANDS AND WATERED BY THE TEARS OF AN IRISH EXILE, THERE YOU WILL FIND THE IRISH EMPIRE.
I THANK GOD FOR THE BLOOD OF MY FATHERS.
I THANK GOD FOR THE LAND OF MY BIRTH.
I PRAY THAT GOD WILL SAVE IRELAND.
I PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA.
-WRITTEN BY FATHER DENIS O’BRIEN