The Irish played a crucial role in the development of Kansas City. While their labor helped to literally build the city, their community found members on both sides of the law.
On Thursday's broadcast, local author Pat O'Neill joins Steve Kraske for a look back at those Irish in the gangs who broke the law and those in the police ranks who fought to uphold it. Between them were the Irish lawyers who negotiated a path between the legitimate and the illicit.
Hear in KC: Pat O'Neill examines the role of the local Irish on both sides of the law in Lawyers, Lawmen, and Outlaws this Sunday, March 10, at 2 p.m. at the Central Library. Admission is free. RSVP at kclibrary.org or call 816.701.3407. Free parking is available at the Library District Parking Garage at 10th & Baltimore.
Pat O'Neill's Irish family can trace its roots in Kansas City back to the 1880s. His father, Pat O'Neill Sr., was the founder in 1972 of the local St. Patrick's Day Parade. O'Neill is the operator of O'Neill Marketing & Event Management and the author of "From the Bottom Up: The Story of the Irish in Kansas City" 00000171-73d2-d00a-a1f1-77f3f7470000 .
