Meet The Staff

I'll tell you a little story about the birth of Irish Fest.

In the very early days of the Kansas City Irish Fest, after the shotgun wedding of the Brookside and Westport festivals, things didn't always run smoothly. Our board meetings back then could be a bit...oh, let's be charitable and say "disorganized". To be less than charitable, it's kind of a wonder we ever got anything done.

So one night, one of our number, Pat O'Neill makes a suggestion. Says he, I think we need somebody. Somebody who would know everything that went on as we planned. Somebody through whom all things would flow. Somebody, essentially, to herd the cats. And, in the great Irish tradition of nepotism, he suggested that his daughter Keli might just be the perfect person for the job.

Now, being an O'Neill, Keli had practically grown up in the public relations and event planning business. But, come on. She's a kid! And we're Irish Fest veterans, every one. What in the world can Keli do for us?

That was 4 years ago. You want to know what Keli does for us? Look around you this weekend at Irish Fest. Those big white tents are there because Keli put them there. Those great vendors are there because Keli sifted through dozens of applications to find the best and most varied merchants she could get. Ditto for the food. Those wonderful, generous sponsors who make this weekend possible? Keli again. Keli deals with the hotels, the media, the vendors, the sponsors, and most difficult of all, all of us. And she does it with a laugh, an infectious smile, an iron will, or all three. Whichever is necessary.

You know that old analogy about the duck? That even though it looks calm and relaxed above, below the surface it's paddling like hell? Irish Fest weekend, we're the duck. Keli's paddling.

Officially, we call her our Executive Director. We also call her an inspiration, a force of nature, a rock, and an organizational machine. We're also lucky enough to call her a very good friend.