The AOH is an Irish Catholic organisation. Members must be Catholic and either Irish-born or of Irish descent. Its largest membership is now in the United States, where it was founded in New York City in 1836. Its name was adopted by groups of Irish immigrants in the United States, its purpose to act as guards to protect Catholic churches from anti-Catholic forces in the mid-19th century, and to assist Irish Catholic immigrants, especially those who faced discrimination or harsh coal mining working conditions.
In Blantyre, this group of men may have been set up to protect the building of the St Joseph’s Church earlier in 1905, for there were reports of widespread vandalism of the church and a “group” of people set up to protect it, something that may also have been needed in the immediate years following its completion.
In 1909, their No. 6 Branch were managed by President Bro. Manus Duddy; Vice-President Bro Dan. Skelton; Secretary Bro. James Casey; Treasurer Bro. Dennis McKay; Asst. Secretrary Bro. Wm. Carrigan meeting every alternate Sunday at 1p.m. The order disbanded in 1936. However, on Friday 24thJune 1967, the Ancient Order was resurrected in Blantyre meeting for the first time in 31 years. Over 500 marchers took part including 7 bands.
From “Blantyre Explained” by Paul Veverka (c) 2016