Bronx Ancient Order of the Hibernians names 2025 honorees

The Bronx County Ancient Order of Hibernians will honour Project Children Founder Denis P. Mulcahy, New York State AOH President Thomas Beirne, and longtime Irish Northern Aid volunteer Margaret Dixon at the Bronx County Ancient Order of Hibernians Awards Dinner on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Rory Dolan's in Yonkers.

Kevin Brannigan and Jamie Goldrick, whose RTÉ film "NORAID: Irish America & The IRA" has been hailed as a significant contribution to Irish and American history, will be special guest speakers as the Bronx County Ancient Order of Hibernians pays tribute to Irish Americans who made history during the Troubles and calls for Irish American involvement in getting a historic vote for Irish reunification.

New York State AOH President Thomas Beirne, and Margaret Dixon, who together with her late husband Chris made outstanding contributions to Irish Northern Aid during the Troubles and Denis P. Mulcahy of Project Children, will be honored with "Spirit of 1916" Awards, on Sunday November 23rd, from 3 pm to 7 pm at Rory Dolan's, located at 890 McLean Avenue, Yonkers. 

Bronx AOH 2025 honorees

Denis will be formally honored in Ireland as part of a special ceremony in which the records and memorabilia of the Project Children program will be archived at the Monaghan Peace Campus. 

Thomas Beirne

Thomas Beirne is the New York State AOH President. During his 41 years as a Hibernian, he has held many national committee chairs, state and division offices, and is also a member of the County Leitrim Society, Knights of Columbus, American Irish Historical Society, American Irish Association of Westchester, and a Volunteer on NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade for close to 50 years.

He led both the AOH’s 100th Anniversary Commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising and the 200th Anniversary of old St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Margaret Dixon

Margaret Dixon, together with her late husband Chris and family, volunteered to open their home to house and transport key Irish Republicans, such as former H-Block prisoners like Fra McCann and Ciaran Nugent, at crucial times leading up to the Hunger Strike campaigns, among others.

Margaret Dixon and Chris, assisted by their children, Chris Jr. and Cathy, made vital contributions that will be remembered with honors at the event.

Denis P. Mulcahy

Denis P. Mulcahy is being honored for his leading role in Project Children, which brought more than 23,000 young Catholic and Protestant children from Northern Ireland's six counties to America during the years of conflict.

A Cork native, Denis is a retired NYPD Detective, decorated with a Medal of Valor. He has been awarded the AOH John F. Kennedy Memorial Medal, NYPD Emerald Society’s Man of the Year, Benemerenti Medal from Pope John Paul II, the Cardinal Cooke Right to Life award, a Presidential Commendation from Ronald Reagan, and a Presidential Distinguished Service Award from Irish President Michael D. Higgins.

History-making documentary

Director Kevin Brannigan and Producer Jamie Goldrick, in their top-rated RTE broadcast documentary "NORAID: Irish America & The IRA", uncovered a chapter of Irish history which many wanted forever hidden. It tells how Irish Americans, over a quarter century, overcame opposition, indeed vilification by the British, Irish, and American governments, to deliver vital political backing and publicity for the Irish struggle, and millions of dollars for prisoners’ families.

Bronx County Ancient Order of Hibernians Awards Dinner tickets

The event will take place on Sunday, November 23rd, from 3 pm to 7 pm at Rory Dolan's, located at 890 McLean Avenue, Yonkers. Music will be provided by Mary Courtney, Marie Barrett, and Dessie Groark.

Dinner tickets are $100 and reservations are highly recommended. For tickets or information about congratulating the honorees in the souvenir journal, please call 718-597-6327, email jacksligo@optonline.net, or 917-715-8177, boyledenis605@gmail.com.