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Up To Date

Lawyers, Lawmen & Outlaws: The Irish In KC

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.orgor 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 .

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Up To Date Irishhistory
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.