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The Pelham Auto Club is Built
"It was Pelham's social institution, with billiards, a bowling alley, a dining room, a ballroom, card rooms, and a garage with a full-time mechanic." More -
Pelham Club Becomes First Home of Germantown Jewish Centre
The Centre leased the auditorium for $200 a month. "It was the largest auditorium in the city at that time and for many years after. It had a seating capacity of 750 at tables and 1,200 in chairs for lectures. This was the space we rented as our first home." More -
32-County Ball 1944
You'll see a reference later on to the 32-County Ball, but that one is for the Irish Center's 50th anniversary. This is a pre-Irish Center Commodore Barry Society "do." A few IDs: Mary & Peter Corcoran, far right; Catherine Lennon Corcoran, 4th from right. -
Commodore John Barry USN Society Established
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Philadelphia Ceili Group Founded
The Irish Center-based Ceili Group was founded at the Irish Center to promote Irish music and culture. The Ceili Group launched its annual festival in 1975, inspired by foloklorist Mick Moloney and others, at Fischer's Pool. More -
Commodore John Barry Society Inc. Formed
The corporation bought the Irish Center. -
The Barry Society Moves In
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The First Event: The Mayo Ball
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First St. Patrick's Day Dinner
It was held by the Philadelphia Ancient Order of Hibernians in the building's capacious ballroom. -
The First Wedding Reception
A June wedding, of course. Rosemary McDevitt and Tom Gaughan celebrate. -
Darren McGavin Stops By
To judge the Miss Mayo contest, no less! -
New Year's Eve at the Irish Center 1969
"New Year's Eve at the Irish Center promises to be a fitting climax to a record-breaking year." So says the Irish-American Herald. Headlining the bash: the famous Irish ballad singer Mary McConagle. -
Commodore John Barry Parade
The parade celebrated Barry Day in Philadelphia, heading from 20th and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway all the way to Independence Hall. Irish Center-based county associations, including Mayo and Donegal, took part. Former Mayor James Tate was honorary chairman. -
Renowed Poet Gives a Lecture
The poet is Dublin's famed Basil Payne, a two-time Guinness International Poetry Prize winner. More -
Attracta O'Malley Becomes First Woman President of the Mayo Association of Philadelphia
The association first admitted women as full members in 1966. More We're rounding out the date. -
Cocktail Party to Discuss Commodore Barry Club Capital Improvements Campaign
More than 100 representatives of Delaware Valley Irish organizations attended, as did James McIntyre, Ireland vice consul, and Joe Egan, then a Philadelphia mayoral candidate. Major repairs and upgrades included the heating system, , plumbing and electrical work. Kathleen McGurk was chairman of the board of directors. -
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Dancing for Donncha
Ceili and set dancers all over the world honored an Irish set dancing legend by dancing for charity--including here at the Irish Center. -
A Visit from Michael Collins
No, not that Michael Collins. Irish Ambassador Michael Collins and his wife, Marie, visited the Irish Center after the ambassador spoke to a gathering in Philadelphia of the Irish American Business Chamber and Network. -
Celebrating the Irish Center's 50th Anniversary
The 32-County Ball closed out the Irish Center's 50th year as home to the Delaware Valley's Irish and Irish-Americans. One of the highlights was a grand parade of all the counties. The beloved Tommy Moffit smilingly represented his home country, Roscommon. -
A Visit from the Cloughaneely Cloughaneely Marching Band
The three-time All-Ireland winners strutted their stuff at the 2009 After-Parade Party. -
The Sam Maguire Cup Come to the Center
Donegal Coach Jim McGuinness, along with all-stars Mark McHugh and Michael Murphy, members of the 2012 All-Ireland Football champion team, brought the trophy to the Irish Center, for what was one hugely exciting night for Donegal fans.More -
A Rally for Reform
Ciaran Staunton, president of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, came to Philadelphia this week to urge the Irish community to press its only uncommitted US Senator to vote yes on S.744, the immigration reform bill. More
