The Ancient Order of Hibernians made its debut in Suffolk County in 1946, 110 years after its founding in New York City. The AOH organizing activity was spearheaded by Michael Rice, a native of County Mayo who had moved to Suffolk from Queens. Through his efforts, Division One - Bay Shore, Two - Babylon, and Three - Kings Park, were organized in 1946. Division 3's Charter was issued on April 12, 1947 - the date we consider our anniversary.

The first president of Division Three was Michael Long, a native of Limerick and uncle of current member Mike Griffin. The other elected officers whose names also appear on the original charter are:

James J. Cuskelley - Vice President
John J. Flynn - Recording Secretary
Michael Murphy - Financial Secretary
Patrick J. O'Rourke - Treasurer

In 1948, John Whelan became the second president of Division Three. John was the Guest of Honor in 1997 at our 50th Anniversary at the venerable age of 93. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 97.

The first meeting of Division Three was held in the American Legion Hall located on Thompson Street in Kings Park. Although exact dates are unknown, Division Three held its meetings in various places over the years - from Kings Park to the old St. Patrick's in Smithtown, to the Sons of Norway Hall in St. James, again to Kings Park, back to Smithtown in the new St. Patrick's Church on Main Street, until finally settling in St. Joseph's Church in Kings Park. When the Division met at the Sons of Norway Hall, the Ladies Auxiliary (now the Ladies AOH) held its meetings there on the same night, which proved problematic for those members who had spouses involved and young children at home. The meetings were later changed to separate nights to make it easier for each parent to attend.

By the early 1950's Joe Murphy had appeared on the scene and quickly became a major contributor to the Hibernian progress. In 1955, Joe was appointed Deputy National Organizer for New York State and was personally responsible for the formation of Division Five in Patchogue.   Joe was the first member of Division Three to be appointed to a national office of the AOH and to be honored with "Life Membership."

As the Hibernians grew in Suffolk, so too did the participation of the members of Division Three. From 1947 through 1957, Joe Murphy, John O'Rourke, John Heslin, and Ernest Francis filled ten officer positions on the Suffolk County Board. Over recent years, Pat Ferguson and Mike O'Neill served as Suffolk County Treasurer, while Ed O'Brien served as Financial Secretary and Joe Weissenberger served as Sentinel and Grievance. Kevin Pryor and Della Weissenberger served as Suffolk County Presidents from 1999 to 2001; this was significant because the two County Presidents during this time were both from Division Three. Our current contributors to the Board are Brian Clancy (Vice President), Tom Lambert (Publicity Chairman and LAOH Liaison) and John McDaniel (Webmaster and Buy Irish Chairman). Tom Lambert is also a member of the Tara Court Major Degree Team.

In 1975, the talents of Joe Murphy were again called upon to head up the 1975 State Convention that was jointly hosted by the Suffolk and Nassau County Boards. Joe was selected Chairman of this monumental undertaking that culminated in an outstanding three-day convention at the Hempstead Holiday Inn.

Although Joe has been singled out, many other Division Three men have participated and assumed key roles as active Hibernians on both Division and county levels. There are just too many to mention here, but all have been instrumental in shaping the development of the Division and the attainment of Hibernian goals. For example, two members, Ernie Francis and Charley McLoughlin, held the President's gavel for five terms each. Ernie served as president in 1957, '58, '60, '61, and '62, while Charley served for five consecutive terms from 1967-71.

The late 1970's were also a very active period for the Division, especially with the sponsoring of the "Cabaret." This headliner event was held on February 27, 1977 and featured five top Irish starts for an evening of unrivaled entertainment. Members and guests were treated to performances by harpist Deirdre Danaher, Noel Kingston, The Michael Jesse Owens Trio, Mary McGonigle, and the inimitable Hal Roach - all for $5.00 per person! With such an array of performers, this tremendous undertaking proved to be an outstanding affair both socially and financially for the Division.

In mid-1978, the Division felt the impact of Mike O'Neill, who became involved in many functions leading to his term as president in 1980. During this same period, the names of Ryan, O'Gorman, Griffin, Dowling, Murphy, Ferguson, Hennessy, Francis and McLoughlin became prominent through their active participation. We all became quite familiar with York Hall in the Kings Park Psychiatric Center where many of our functions were held. On April 22, 1979, Division Three hosted its first Communion Breakfast to support the Suffolk County Board. Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick's Church, Smithtown, followed by breakfast at the Smithtown Landing Country Club. Congressman Bill Carney was our guest speaker. The event was chaired by Ron Murphy, who was called upon again in the spring of 1986 to chair another County Board Communion Breakfast. This time, our own Judge John Mullin delivered the keynote address. In 1993, Ed O'Brien chaired yet another communion breakfast for the County Board which featured well-known Hibernian and President of Tara Circle, Ed Sheerin, as guest speaker.

In 1982, under the direction of President Pat Ferguson and event chairman Mike Dowling, Division Three initiated its St. Patrick's Day Celebration after the Islip Parade. Held not as a fundraiser, but as a "special" dinner dance for members and friends, this event has remained an annual affair, but it is now celebrated on the Friday night before the Parade. The Division also initiated another tradition that same March by Mike Brosnahan: offering a floral display at the statue of St. Patrick's Church, Smithtown on the feast of our patron saint. This tradition continued for many years while we were still meeting at St. Patrick's.

Today, Division Three sponsors a bus to New York City on the day of the parade where its members proudly march up Fifth Avenue with the Suffolk County Hibernians. Two of our members, John Mullin (1989) and Mike Griffin (2001) were selected by Division Three to represent Suffolk County Hibernians as an aide to the Grand Marshall. And, in 2003, Michael Fitzpatrick was Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in St. James.