Catholic Charities, Inc.

In 1992, Dr. Ben Lynch, a member of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities, suggested a St. Patrick's Day social event to benefit the Agency.  That first year, staff from Catholic Charities was brought in to bring the attendance number up to 300.

Former Board member Mike Matejka remembers “It was during my time when we started Irish Fest.  It was a combination of Ben Lynch and Mike Butkus who proposed the idea.  It was a great start, and it has really grown.  The Service League helped, the women who can get their friends involved.  Shirley Goalee really got it done."

1999 was the first year that featured a national touring act play at the event. Prior to that, Irish Fest featured traditional Irish music, dancing and food. In 1999, it was decided to promote Catholic Charities and all its good works to a larger audience. A separate outreach to local corporations - with a request for Irish Fest sponsorships - encouraged Omaha's social and business leaders to invest in our society beyond just our physical infrastructure. Our goal changed from raising money to one that incorporated educational meetings about what Catholic Charities does for our community.

Irish Fest became an excellent outlet for information to those influential people who attended. More people began to support the agency once they knew and understood how its good works resonate with everyone in society. When we help those who, for whatever reason, cannot help themselves at this time in their life, we create a civilized community with diminished crime, poverty, family dysfunction and injustice. Improving society by investing in people who are marginalized may be a lofty goal, but we know that it works here in Omaha by following Catholic Charities’ success stories.

A wonderful way to disperse information was to bring in a national touring act and expose Omaha to both great music and to the great Catholic Charities programs through Irish Fest.

Gail Durkin and Anne Marie O’Brien created a business plan for the event in 1999, presented it to select Board members for their funding, support and approval, and set about creating the party of the year in order to attract donors. The Supremes played to a sold out crowd of 1,000 people of all ages at the SAC Museum. The theme was "Party on the Planes" and it was one indeed. The silent and oral auctions, corporate table donations and generous giving from attendees made it one of the largest, charitable fundraisers in Omaha's history.

From that date, each subsequent Irish Fest has featured a national or prominent local act to continue drawing crowds, donors and supporters. The creation of good will for Catholic Charities has been immeasurable.

Irish Fest has evolved from a celebration of all things Irish into an evening of music-filled fun - with a consistent Irish focus. We continue to feature the bagpipers and Irish dancers, who both bring such festive joy to the event.