Back in 1981, four gentleman of Irish decent were sitting around the table wondering why there was no local organization to celebrate their heritage. After all, they said among themselves, there’s the Polish society and the sons of Italy. Out of that conversation between Richard O’Shea, Ray O’Boyle, Tom Kelly, and Frank Mockler came the Irish American Society of the Hamptons.

With some outreach to their friends, conversations at the old Carolines luncheonette, and stuffing a few mailboxes with seemingly Irish names on them, they had 200 members in just about a week. That membership is holding steady, decades later, with nearly 50 people at a recent February meeting.

The goal of the organization was to celebrate all things Irish and to put money toward the “Common good of the Irish people”, said Mr. O’Shea.

The strictly dues-based membership and volunteer board have, over time, given money to charities such as Little Flower Children Services, the Angel Guardian Society and Catholic Guardian. In addition, the group has taken trips to Ireland and other places using its numbers to negotiate discounted travel fees.

Early on, the organization selected one member for it’s Irish Heritage award. A tradition that has fallen by the wayside but one Mr. O’Shea noted, they’d like to bring back because it can help bring in some younger members.

Thomas Carpenter took over the group’s role of President last year after the death of Eric Sutton, who served in that role for over 16 years.

Among the current membership is a number of legacy members who wish to carry on the work of their parents.

In addition to the trips and about 4 meetings per year, which normally feature a guest speaker who talks about some Irish history, society members proudly march in the Hamptons Bays Saint Patrick’s Day parade, which they will again this year, showing off their Irish pride.