Kelly's is The Best. But We Knew That

A press release:

There are Irish pubs nearly 200-years-old in Boston, Philadelphia and New York. But none of them outshine KC's own shrine to Irish spirits and collegiality, Kelly's Westport Inn. In their search for "truly distinctive" Irish-American Pubs, authors Robert Meyers and Ron Wallace found Kelly's to be among the country's best and most inviting. Their new 335-page book "Irish Pubs in America: History, Lore and Recipes" was released this week. 

The two will be in Kelly's this Friday (Dec.6) from 5-8 p.m. to unveil the book, sign copies, and christen them with a cold one.

Randal Kelly, the Irish immigrant who took over the landmark pre-Civil War building at Westport Road and Pennsylvania Street in the late 1940s, referred to his friendly beer joint that welcomed everyone from famous artists and politicians, to all-night bakers at the old Manor Bread factory next door, as "the Poor Man's Playground." Randal Kelly passed away in 1988, but the pub remains in the family and is operated today by brothers Pat and (Kansas City Irish Fest co-founder) Kyle Kelly and Kyle's daughter, Colleen, and son, Mitch.

In their book, Meyers and Wallace call Kelly's "An inspirational story of how one Irish immigrant, blessed with personality and perseverance, came to America, married, raised a family and established one of the most successful Irish pubs in the oldest building in Kansas City."

 Meyers, the former President of UPS International, and Wallace made dozens of road trips around the country, researching the book they call "a tribute to Irish culture and the contributions the Irish have made to the United States." Copies of "Irish Pubs in America" are available in Kansas City at Kelly's and at select Irish shops and book stores.

Traveled around the country researching Irish pubs? Why didn't I think of that? If you haven't bought ol' Uncle Bloggy a gift yet, this would be a dandy. Kelly's tomorrow night.