On July 26, 1945, a small group of Irish and Irish-Americans met at the Eire Tavern in Hartford to formulate plans for an Irish-American Society. John Walsh, Jim Larkin, John McDermott, Bill Carey, Joe Flynn, and Stanley McDermott were the founders of the IAH Society. Prior to 1945, there had been several Irish groups in the Hartford area, some of which had dissolved due to a lack of a central meeting place. It was felt that a unified, single group would best serve the needs of the Irish community. The general mission of the IAH Society was and continues to be, a society that welcomes and brings together Irish and Irish-American families and practices and preserves Irish traditions, culture, music, and friendship.