O’NEILL The World’s Largest Shamrock is painted green with a white border by residents and visitors every March at the intersection of Douglas and Fourth streets in O’Neill, the Irish Capital of Nebraska. Volunteers are welcome to grab a roller and help. Maybe a little luck of the Irish will rub off on them. O’Neill takes St. Patrick’s Day seriously. The party kicks off with that paint job and new inductions to the community’s Irish Walk of Fame. O’Neill’s famous Irish Dancers continue their string of annual performances dating back to the 1960s. Ever see a horse painted green? You probably will at this colorful small-town celebration of proud culture and heritage. (402) 336-2355 The O’Neill Blarney Stone was dedicated and blessed on St. Patrick’s Day in 2009 with prayer and Irish song. The rock weighing 13,410 pounds was
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NEBRASKA TRAVELER
inspired by a similar rock in Ireland. People kiss and take photos with the stone at Fourth and Douglas streets. The decommissioned Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad that once rolled through O’Neill has been converted into the recreational Cowboy Trail. The route begins in Norfolk and is surfaced to Valentine. Carney Park offers tent camping along the trail. First-come, first serve. 401 Fitch Blvd. The downtown office where early O’Neill lawyer and influential politician Moses Kinkaid worked is preserved today as the Holt County Historical Museum. The museum includes information on the community’s namesake, Civil War general John O’Neill, as well as genealogical records. 401 E. Douglas St. (402) 336-2344 Handlebend Tap opened in 2020 in the historic Shelhamer Building 215 E. Douglas St. Nebraska beer and wines
are served, as are cocktails poured into copper mugs manufactured on site. Douglas Street Coffee is in the same building and serves pastries, breakfast burritos, sandwiches and cookies. The Village, a flower shop, offers gift baskets, flower arrangements, candy and candles. Holt County Grill is known for scratch-made steaks, sandwiches and salads. 320 E. Douglas St. Westside Restaurant offers breakfast all day. 49134 U.S. Highway 20. A new Obstacle Course Fitness Park near Seventh and Tipperary streets mirrors one in O’Neill’s twin Irish city, Wicklow. Let’s see which Irish community is in better shape! It’s one block east of Lion’s Kiddie Park. Both parks are great places for kids to run their ya-yas out. Parents could always tell their kids to look for a four-leaf clover in the grass, or search for a rainbow with a pot of gold.
