Kansas City Irish Center facts for kids

The Kansas City Irish Center is a special place in Kansas City, Missouri. It's a non-profit group that helps people learn about and enjoy Irish culture. The Center opened on Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, 2007. It is located inside Union Station. Its main goal is to share the history, traditions, and heritage of Irish and Irish-American people. It serves the whole Kansas City area.

Fun Events at the Irish Center

The Kansas City Irish Center offers many exciting cultural events. These events help people connect with Irish traditions.

Learning About Irish Culture

You can join programs to learn about many Irish topics. These include:

• Irish and Irish American culture
• Art and music
• Irish dance
• Irish stories and history

Music and Language Classes

The Center is a great place for music lovers.

• They have monthly Irish Music jam sessions. This is where musicians play together informally.
• You can also take classes to learn to play Irish music.
• If you want to learn a new language, they offer Irish language classes.

Creative Workshops

The Center also hosts creative workshops.

• You can learn Irish knitting, crochet, and lace making. These are traditional Irish crafts.
• They offer Genealogy workshops. These help you research your family history. You can even get one-on-one help.

Popular Gatherings

Some of the most popular events include concerts. Local Irish musicians often perform there.

Exhibits and Resources to Explore

The Center has interesting exhibits and collections. These help you learn even more about Irish culture.

Discovering Kansas City's Irish Past

• There is a small exhibit about the history of the Irish community in Kansas City. It shows how Irish people have contributed to the city.

The John Forest Resource Library

• The Center has a large library called the John Forest Resource Library. It has about 4,000 books.
• These books cover many topics about Irish culture and history.
• You can use the books right there at the Center to do research.

Planning Your Trip to Ireland

• If you dream of visiting Ireland, the Center has helpful travel information. They can give you resources to plan your trip.

Future Plans for the Center

• There are plans to add a small pub and a stage to the building.
• The Center also uses Drexel Hall for larger events. This space can hold up to 500 people. It's used for concerts, speakers, and theater shows.