Vanderhoef Welcomes AOH Conventioneers

Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef addressed a combined meeting of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies AOH Thursday morning at the Pearl River Hilton.

The meeting was part of the 96th annual biennial state convention for the men's AOH and 57th for the LAOH, the first to be held in Rockland County.

"We are delighted to have you," Vanderhoef said. "It is a real honor. It’s a great organization. Peace be with you. God Bless."

The meeting included two presentations regarding the AOH and its connetion with Ireland -- one by Hibernian Sean Pender of Freedom for All Ireland and another by Father Sean McManus founder of the Irish National Caucus. McManus is a long-time advocate against in the United States for the people of Northern Ireland. He recently released a memoir, My American Struggle for Justice in Northern Ireland.

Both stressed the importance of continuing to support causes that help the people of Northern ireland.

"They have to remind the Irish American, don’t forget your roots," said Seamus Boyle, President of the National AOH. "Don’t forget your area here, but don’t forget your roots, where your family came from and why they came here."

The other primary focus of the meeting was to hear the bids from the two candidates to host the 2013 state convention -- Nassau and Saratoga Springs.

A convention in Nassau would be held at the 605-room Long Island Marriott. Nassau last hosted a state convention in the 1970s.

Saratoga last hosted an AOH convention in 1906. That was the national convention at which the LAOH was created. The 2013 state convention would be based at the Saratoga Holiday Inn, with events and guests staying at one or two more hotels because the main one only has 168 rooms.

The vote on the hosting bids and for state officers will be held Saturday morning, with results available later in the day.

The rest of the day Thursday was scheduled for smaller AOH meetings, then the Lark in the Park free concert in Pearl River's Central Avenue Field in the evening.