By Marie Mulvenna

Atlanta’s Hibernian Benevolent Society is perhaps one of the oldest organizations in the city’s colorful history. It was born in 1858 and is still going strong with an enthusiastic membership of over 100 sons of Erin in the ranks today.

Throughout the years, the society has experienced the inevitable rise and fall of membership, but throughout its rich history in Atlanta the society has never fallen back on its original benevolent aims, so often expressed in its dances, sing-songs, picnics, children’s parties, visits to orphanages and hospitals and, of course, the delight of any Irishman, the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Back in 1858, the city of Atlanta was a bustling place, deeply engrossed in taking its rightful place as the trade center of the South. With the arrival of many immigrants, an association was formed by local merchants of Irish heritage to help their struggling fellow countrymen. This was the actual beginning of the local Hibernian Society.

The original organization was loosely knit in structure but steadfast in its desire to help those in need finding homes and jobs, and providing financial help to widows, orphans and other distressed countrymen. Social gatherings were commonplace so that these ‘strangers in a strange land’ could meet and discuss the “old country” as well as their growing participation in the affairs of a fast thriving Atlanta, their new home.

Bernard T. Lamp was the prime organizer of the society, assisting immigrants and the wives and orphans of Irish railroad workers. During the Civil War in the United States, the Irish in Atlanta endeared themselves to the city in two particular instances. A company of Irish soldiers, called appropriately the Hibernian Rifles, was trained in Macon and accounted themselves bravely in the famed battle of Atlanta.

The Hibernians were also justly proud of the actions of Father Thomas O’Reilly who helped save many churches and other buildings in the area from complete devastation during Sherman’s invasion. The plucky Father O’Reilly warned Union officers emphatically that he would incite all the Catholics in their commands to mutiny if the churches of Atlanta were destroyed.

In 1873 the city of Atlanta, under Mayor C.C. Kennedy, deeded the society by resolution of the city council, a large burial plot in Oakland Cemetery as recognition of the society’s services. Members of the organization still have free burial privileges in the plot, which was granted the society for its perpetual use. In the words of the original deed, the city “would warrant and forever defend the right and title thereof against themselves and against all other persons whatsoever.”

Bernard Lamb’s leadership continued in the society in the years following the Civil War and the group then reorganized as a mutual aid society for members. In 1889 a mere ten members appeared on the active roles. For some time, meetings were held monthly and members continued to aid needy Hibernians and their families.

As the years passed, the society activities declined to an annual banquet on St. Patrick’s Day, following the parade. The society became involved in Atlanta’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade as early as 1877 but the group was not the sole sponsor of the parade as it is today. In those times, hosts of other Irish organizations helped organize the annual event.

A period of total revitalization began in 1940 under the leadership of president Thomas O’Keefe and an able compatriot, Patrick Campbell. A brand new membership drive was launched and by December of 1941 there were 149 members in good standing on the society’s roster. The group met regularly at St. Anthony’s Church in Atlanta, featuring suppers and programs relating to the history and traditions of the Mother Country and their influence in America. The ladies who so generously assisted with the suppers at St. Anthony’s soon organized themselves into the Ladies Auxiliary of the society, holding regular meetings and functioning as a somewhat independent unit.

Another giant step in the modern development of the Hibernians took place in 1951 when President Thomas J. Griffin asked Michael Hickey to look into the possibility of exclusive Hibernian sponsorship of the annual parade. Hickey’s report consequently led to his appointment as grand marshal of the annual walk down Peachtree, a post he held from 1951 to 1956.

One society anecdote involving Hickey occurred in the 1950’s during his term as marshal. According to local historians, Hickey lost his reviewing stand when a policeman arrested the drunk driver of the truck that was bringing it in from out of town for the big day. When Hickey found out what had happened to his stand, police officials diverted the parade route right through police headquarters, where, it is said, a substantial number of the force were of Irish persuasion.

The last 20 years of the society have been years of gradual growth. Annual picnics are held and, as ever, the festive banquet following the parade. In between are the beloved sing-songs, get together where members gather to exchange song, dance, stories and jokes, a delightful tradition very much adhered to and enjoyed today.

In the 1950’s a group of Irish dancers was formed, adding to the social enjoyment of the society and that of the many organizations throughout Atlanta who have seen them perform. Lily Donnelly, wife of Tony Donnelly, current president of the society, took over the dancing reins in 1965 and their dance expertise is justly recognized throughout the area. The dancers will appear in Atlanta on the morning of the 17th at WSB’s birthday party at the Fox Theatre. That same morning, they will be featured on “Today in Georgia” and immediately following those two bookings they will be one of the highlights in the society’s parade at 2 p.m.

The new era of expansion in the society has seen an added emphasis on charitable activities. There have been parties and picnics for orphans, donations to orphanages, contributions to needy members and help given those suffering in Ireland.

Just this year, the society decided to donate all proceeds from the parade to United Cerebral Palsy. President Donnelly explained that proceeds are realized from fees charged for floats or show cars from various commercial establishments. “In keeping with the purposes of our organization to aid our fellow man, we are dedicating our parade this year to United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Atlanta for their marvelous work with the multi-handicapped and brain damaged.

“Our society was founded many years ago to further the cause of the Irish in the United States,” Donnelly continued. “We do this by showing benevolence and charity toward our fellow man and not by unlawful boisterous demonstrations. Once a year we plan this celebration in commemoration of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and in gratitude to the United States for giving us the privilege of becoming a part of this great nation."

The original charter of the society and its aims remain substantially unchanged, spotlighting social harmony of its members, maintenance of a filial attachment to the mother country, aiding distressed Irishmen and their descendants, providing relief for indigent widows and orphans of Irishmen and their descendants and the cultivation of good fellowship and charity.

“Charity” is a key word for the Hibernians in Atlanta. Their many and varied activities for the needy are seldom, if ever, publicized. They do it without fanfare, but with love and dedication.

Today’s active society, which also includes some of Atlanta’s priests who hail from Erin, has a score of benevolent activities lined up for future months.

Donnelly is anxious to enlarge the membership of the group and comments with a smile that “membership is open to anyone over 18 years of ago who is Irish by birth or wholly or partly by descent. To quote an old saying there are two kinds of people, those who are Irish and those that wish they were!’”

Currently the society has over 100 members, a majority of whom are Roman Catholic.

Donnelly strikes a serious note when he explains the society’s move toward a more balanced social and charitable program in modern times. The society, he explains, has drifted away from what older members would have called the “Irish ideals” or support of the Irish Republican Army and independence from England.

“The modern Hibernians here are themselves as an American organization with American interests and concerns. Except for strictly munificent efforts, the society has refused to take sides or become involved in the present sadness in the Emerald Isle.”

The Atlanta Hibernians are very much a part of the contemporary American scene.