Salt Lake City has long been a crossroads of cultures, and this March, there's no better place to explore that rich history than from the heart of downtown. Whether you're visiting Little America Salt Lake City for a stay or stopping in to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, the stories woven into this city's foundation might just surprise you, especially when it comes to the Irish.

The Overlooked Architects of the West

The Irish are among the most consequential yet frequently overlooked groups in Utah's history. Historian Gerald McDonough has noted that despite their enormous contributions, the Irish were often absorbed into broader categories or simply went unrecognized. They didn't congregate in a single community the way some other groups did, and their presence was spread across Army posts, mining towns, and railroad camps throughout the territory. But all one has to do is walk through downtown Salt Lake City to see the evidence: the Kearns Building, Gallivan Plaza, and some of the city's oldest banks and law firms all bear Irish names.

Building the Intermountain West

Long before Utah was a state, the Irish were helping shape it. Irish laborers were instrumental in constructing the transcontinental railroad, driving westward through Nebraska, Wyoming, and ultimately into Utah, where the golden spike was driven at Promontory Summit in 1869. Colonel Patrick Edward Connor, a County Kerry native, is credited with being the father of Utah mining, arriving with his California Volunteers during the Civil War and mapping mineral veins that would eventually produce tremendous wealth across the territory.

Perhaps the most emblematic figure of Irish achievement in Utah is Thomas Kearns, born in Canada to Irish immigrant parents in 1862. He made his way to Park City, spent years working in the mines, and ultimately struck it rich with the Silver King Mine in 1890. He went on to serve in the U.S. Senate and purchased the Salt Lake Tribune, leaving an indelible mark on Utah's political and cultural landscape.

The transcontinental telegraph lines, early post offices and Pony Express stations, and much of the surveying work that opened up the territory were also carried out in significant part by Irish hands. It is a legacy written into the very infrastructure of the state.

A Culture That Took Root

The Irish did not just pass through Utah; they built communities here. By 1880, approximately 5,000 Catholics, most of Irish birth or descent, were living across the territory, from Salt Lake City to the mining towns of Park City and Silver Reef. Over time, Irish dancing, music, and civic organizations became part of Utah's cultural fabric. The Utah Hibernian Society, active for more than 30 years, has helped preserve Irish heritage through its annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and community events. Today, nearly a dozen Irish dance companies operate in the Salt Lake Valley, several of them licensed by the official Irish dancing board in Dublin.

Trace Your Own Story at the FamilySearch Library

If all of this has you curious about your own roots, you are in the right city. The FamilySearch Library , located at 35 North West Temple Street in downtown Salt Lake City, is one of the premier genealogy research centers in the world. Whether you have Irish ancestry or heritage from anywhere else in the world, the library's collections, research helpers, and discovery experiences make it an incredible resource. Best of all, it is just a short walk from Little America, or an easy ride on the TRAX Green or Blue Line, both of which stop downtown in the free fare zone, so no ticket is needed.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Little America

This March, Little America Salt Lake City is getting in the spirit with some festive offerings worth raising a glass to. Head to The Coffee Shop on March 17 for a special St. Patrick's Day menu featuring classic Irish dishes: Corned Beef and Cabbage with horseradish sauce and soda bread, a hearty Irish Stew braised with carrots, parsnips, leeks, and potatoes, and Shepherd's Pie with ground lamb and a mashed potato topping. Save room for the Grasshopper Pie, a chocolate cake layered with mint chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache, and wash it all down with a cold Guinness.

All month long in March, Lucky H Buffet is also serving up St. Patrick's Day cocktail specials, including the Irish Mule, the Pot of Gold Beer (Guinness topped with sparkling wine), a Frozen Irish Coffee, and the St. Patrick's Colada. Zero-proof options are also available for those keeping it festive without the spirits.

Utah's Irish story is one of grit, community, and lasting contribution. This St. Patrick's Day, come celebrate it from one of the best spots in downtown Salt Lake City. We will have a seat waiting for you.