St. Patrick’s Day was observed a bit late by the parishioners of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Jim Thorpe on Sunday, but there was no less “blarney” as the Women’s Club of the parish sponsored its first “Irish Fling.”

More than 300 people converged on Memorial Park in the borough where Jack Malarkey of Tamaqua, Marian High School principal, was honored for his 25 years of service to the Allentown Diocese educational facility in Barnesville.

He was introduced by the Rev. Robert C. Quinn, pastor. Mrs. Ann Gallagher, club president, and Mrs. Eileen McGinley, coordinator, headed the committee in charge of the arrangements.