Kirby and Patrick McDermott perform alongside their mother, Judith McDermott, vice president of the American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara, during a lively evening of Irish music and sing-alongs.
Kirby and Patrick McDermott perform alongside their mother, Judith McDermott, vice president of the American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara, during a lively evening of Irish music and sing-alongs. Credit: Bonnie Carroll / American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara photo

It was yet another grand night at a private gathering in Santa Barbara for the 2026 American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara Traditional St. Patrick’s Day Dinner attended by 81 members in good standing and their guests.

President Frank McGinity and the AIHS 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 twins, Kirby and Patrick, straight from Los Angeles.

Proud mother and AIHS vice president Judith McDermott joined her sons to welcome members and guests in the music room before an inspiring Irish sing-along.

American Irish Historical Society treasurer Philip J. Conran offered well-deserved praise for McGinity, presenting him with an exquisite plaque on behalf of the membership to express the organization’s gratitude and respect. McGinity founded the Santa Barbara-based organization in 1983 and has served as its devoted president ever since.

The beautiful Irish dinner offered something wonderful for every specific taste, paired with genuine homemade Irish soda bread.

After a scrumptious ice cream cake dessert, the McDermott Brothers led more Irish sing-along favorites, including “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.”

One lucky Irishman took home a beautiful Waterford photo frame as winner of the annual dinner opportunity drawing.

  • Frank McGinity, founder and longtime president of the American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara, was honored for his decades of leadership and service to the organization.
    Frank McGinity, founder and longtime president of the American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara, was honored for his decades of leadership and service to the organization. Credit: Bonnie Carroll / American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara photo
  • Treasurer Philip Conran presented Frank McGinity with a commemorative plaque on behalf of the membership in recognition of his enduring contributions.
    Treasurer Philip Conran presented Frank McGinity with a commemorative plaque on behalf of the membership in recognition of his enduring contributions. Credit: Bonnie Carroll / American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara photo
  • Kirby and Patrick McDermott perform alongside their mother, Judith McDermott, vice president of the American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara, during a lively evening of Irish music and sing-alongs.
    Kirby and Patrick McDermott perform alongside their mother, Judith McDermott, vice president of the American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara, during a lively evening of Irish music and sing-alongs. Credit: Bonnie Carroll / American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara photo
  • Members and guests gather for the American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, an evening of food, music and Irish tradition.
    Members and guests gather for the American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, an evening of food, music and Irish tradition. Credit: Bonnie Carroll / American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara photo
  • The American Irish Historical Society’s historic headquarters at 991 Fifth Ave. in New York City houses a rich archive of Irish and Irish American history and culture.
    The American Irish Historical Society’s historic headquarters at 991 Fifth Ave. in New York City houses a rich archive of Irish and Irish American history and culture. Credit: American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara photo
  • Renowned Irish tenor John McCormack, a past member of the American Irish Historical Society, was celebrated for his enduring musical legacy, including classics such as “The Rose of Tralee.”
    Renowned Irish tenor John McCormack, a past member of the American Irish Historical Society, was celebrated for his enduring musical legacy, including classics such as “The Rose of Tralee.” Credit: American Irish Historical Society of Santa Barbara photo

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 organization holds additional special events throughout the year.

Current AIHS directors include McGinity, Bridget B. Colleary, Judith McDermott, Philip J. Conran, C. Coraghessan Boyle, Richard Daneby, Mary Louise Days, Patricia Clark Doerner, Kenneth Fitzpatrick and Viviana Marsano. LA Thomas Kneaisey, John O’Keefe. Thomas Dowling President-General New York.

“The American Irish Historical Society is the custodian of an invaluable archive and collection of Irish and Irish American history and literature located in New York City.”

Founded in Boston and in continuous operation since 1897, the society has been nonpartisan and nonsectarian since its inception and moved its headquarters from Boston to New York City in the early 20th century.

In 1940, it moved into its current home at 991 Fifth Ave. in New York. It offers free public events and extended use of the library and archives to researchers, writers and scholars.

Notable past members of AIHS included President Theodore Roosevelt, politician William Bourke Cockran, composer George M. Cohan and tenor John McCormack, who I enjoyed first as a young girl listening to my grandmother’s recording of her favorite “The Rose of Tralee” sung by the magnificent McCormack.