Irish Mist (from left to right): Tom McLaughlin, Paul Harris, and Mary Tracy. Photo courtesy of Regina Duffy.

On Tuesday evening Falvey Library celebrated the opening of the latest exhibit featured on Falvey’s first floor titled “A Heart and a Hand for Our Fair Land”: The Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and Irish American Culture. The exhibit looks at the 248-year history of the Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick for the Relief of Emigrants from Ireland. Kicking off the celebration was Irish Mist featuring Tom McLaughlin on banjo and spoons; Mary Tracy on fiddle, and Paul Harris on bass and guitar. To learn more about the local band, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Irish-Mist-Band-132520953488556/

You can find more information about the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick on their website: https://friendlysons.com/

Selections of the society’s historic papers and artifacts will be on display in the exhibit cases near Speakers’ Corner through the end of May and digitized materials may be accessed online through the Digital Library@Villanova University: https://digital.library.villanova.edu/