The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin's History

The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin got its start in 1960, but it was kicked off earlier than that. Irish dance was a part of the International Insitute's annual Holiday Folk Fair in the 1950's. This lead to the desire of a number of Irish naitves and Irish-Americans in Milwaukee to form an organization that would give the Irish an outlet and a chance to be Irish all year long.

Founding

The Shamrock Club started in the kitchen of Kay Siehrs. It was incorporated in 1960 with the names of Pat Meylor, Bernanrd Meylor and Eileen Aldrich as the incorporating names for the State of Wisconsin. Eileen "Irish" O'Leary was another of the early members.

The first meeting was held in the Plankinton Building. In 1962, the Shamrock Club instituted travel to Ireland, with 28 members flying to the Emerald Isle. Soon after their arrival in dublin, the group was entertained at a reception and a dinner which was hosted by the Hon. J.J. O'Keeffe, Lord Mayor of Dublin. They presented him with an attache case.

"If You're Irish and twenty-one
Come join our club, we've just begun
Social, Culture and Charity, too
Are just three things we offer you."
The above words are from one of the early membership forms.