Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

HONORS FOR FOUNDER & PRESIDENT FRANK MCGINITY AT AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SANTA BARBARA ST. PATRICK'S DAY DINNER 2026

AIHS Santa Barbara Founder & President Frank Mc Ginity proudly displays Beautiful Plaque of Appreciation at 2026 Irish Dinner

It was yet another grand night at a private club in Santa Barbara, California for the 2026 American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara Traditional St. Patrick's Day Dinner attended by eighty-one members in good standing and their guests.

President Frank McGinity and the charming board of directors welcomed guests at the door with a choice of wine, which was followed by a fun loving performance by the singing McDermott brothers, Kirby and Patrick, straight from Los Angeles. Proud mother and AIHS Vice President Judith McDermott joined her sons to share a few words of good cheer in the music room before an Irish sing-along.

AIHS Treasurer Philip J. Conran presented a special tribute Award to Founder & President Frank McGinity

American Irish Historical Society Treasurer Philip J. Conran shared some well deserved praise on Founder and President Frank Mc Ginity, and presented him with an exquisite plaque on behalf of the members to show the organizations gratitude and great respect for Mc Ginity, who founded the organization in 1983 and has served as devoted president over the years.

The beautiful Irish dinner offered something wonderful for every specific taste, enjoyed with genuine Irish soda bread. After a scrumpious ice cream cake dessert the McDermott Brothers lead more Irish sing-a-long favorites that included "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." One lucky Irishman took home a beautiful Waterford photo frame as winner of the dinner drawing.

Member Bonnie Carroll, Guest Alicia Sorkin, Director Mary Louise Days, and Program Emcee & Treasurer Philip J. Conran

The Santa Barbara branch of the American Irish Historical Society was founded in 1983, and continues to attract those who are Irish and those who wish they were. The St. Patrick's Day Dinner is an annual event, and the origanization holds additional special events throughout the year. For upcoming events visit: www.cal-aihs.org.

"The American Irish Historical Society is the custodian of an

invaluale archive and collection of Irish and Irish-American history and literature located in New York City." Founded in Boston and in continuous operaton since 1897 the Society has been non-partisan and non-sectarian since its inception, and moved its headquarters from Boston to New York City in the early 20th century. In 1940 it moved into it's current home at 991 Fifth Avenue in New York. They offer free and public events and extend use of the library and archives to researchers, writers and scholars.

Notable past members of AIHS included Theodore Roosevelt, US President, William Bourke Cockran, Politician, George m. Cohan, Composer, and Tenor John McCormack, who I enjoyed first as a young girl listening to my grandmothers recording of her favorite "The Rose of Tralee" sung by the magnificent John McCormack.

For Santa Barbara membership information contact: www.cal-aihs.org. For New York information and membership please contact www.AIHS.com. .