Center for Irish Studies Digital Resources

Joseph McGarrity Collection

The collection of personal papers, books, and newspapers of Joseph McGarrity.Digitization Status: Ongoing.

Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Philadelphia Collection

Since its inception in Philadelphia in 1771, the Society of The Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick has been an active, vibrant organization within the Irish community. Members meet quarterly in the Philadelphia area to conduct Society business, share fellowship and experiences of common heritage. The Society has always been non-denominational, welcoming members from all religious backgrounds.

The Society exists to promote Irish culture, education and provide aid. It performs these duties in the form of scholarships and benevolence, as well as through events and activities. Digitized materials include: correspondence, programs, benevolence documentation, and publications.

Cuala Press Broadside Collection

An almost complete collection of limited editions of books and broadsides printed by the Cuala Press (formerly the Dun Emer Press). This Irish press published many important writers from the early twentieth century.  Digitization Status: Completed. 

MacSwiney Club

The MacSwiney Club evolved from Camp 100, Clan-Na-Gael and was officially organized in Jenkintown in 1935 although minutes bearing the name go back to at least January 1926.  It was named in honor of Terence MacSwiney (1879-1920), Irish patriot, statesman, and martyr.  Originally located at 222 Old York Road, the club purchased its current facilities at 510 Greenwood Avenue from the Loyal Order of Moose, and moved there in 1946. For many years the MacSwiney Club was home to the Timoney Irish Dancers, and Irish music and dancing were regular events.

Philadelphia Ceili Group

The Ceili Group is devoted to the promotion and perpetuation of Irish music, dance and culture in Philadelphia and throughout the Greater Delaware Valley. If you'd like to learn about upcoming local Irish music and cultural events, with a special emphasis on the many wonderful music and dance presentations sponsored by the Philadelphia Ceili Group, then this is the place to find it. Villanova University's Digital Library archives the music of the Group's past festivals and makes Irish song and dance freely available to the community in inline audio and video and downloadable formats.

Digitization status: Ongoing

Rambles, Travels, and Maps

Here reside narratives of  wanderings real or imaginary, travel guides, charts, and maps.  Digitization Status: Ongoing. 

Joseph McGarrity: Man of Action; Man of Letters

This exhibit explores the lesser-known side of the influential Philadelphia-based Irish republican leader Joseph McGarrity as a man of letters. Digital Installation: July 12, 2012. Curated by Brian J. McDonald

Chaos in the Streets: The Philadelphia Riots of 1844

Travel back in time to the Philadelphia Riots of 1844 from Villanova University's Digital Library. Digital Installation: December 8, 2011. Curated by Karla Irwin.

Jack Butler Yeats: Drawings & Illustrations

This exhibit focuses on the drawings and illustrations of Jack B. Yeats found in Special Collections materials. Digital Installation: January 14, 2009. Curated by: Róisín Corry Roche

Rambles, Sketches, Tours: Travellers & Tourism in Ireland

Take a tour through Ireland in this exhibit of Irish travel writing from the Joseph McGarrity Collection of Special Collections. Digital Installation: October 19, 2010. Curated by: Laura Bang.

To Strike for Freedom! The 1916 Easter Rising

A commemoration of the 100-year anniversary of Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising that highlights its American connections using materials from the Joseph McGarrity Collection. Digital Installation: March 16, 2015. Curated by: Staff