Our Mission

To support and promote Irish heritage and cultural education, preservation, and celebration.

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Our Vision
Several years ago a group of Kansas Citians articulated a vision to create a place that would support and celebrate our individual and community's Irish and Celtic heritage.

The Irish Center

The Center includes a modest permanent exhibit on Kansas City's Irish heritage, online and printed genealogy resources, an Irish library, educational and cultural programs and classes, space for traveling exhibits, a "wee" gift shop, a conference room and a large gathering space for special events such as concerts, speakers and special events.

Regular hours are Wed - Sat 10 am - 4 pm, Sun noon - 4 pm. Admission only for special events and programs. However, donations are gratefully appreciated and help us keep Center open to all visitors.

Educational and Entertaining Programming

For all people of Kansas City, the Center offers cultural and heritage educational and entertaining programming, from concerts to various classes, storytellers to sing-alongs, whiskey and beer dinners, trad music jam sessions, genealogy programs, various speakers and much more. We cover the history and heritage of Ireland, plus What's Happening Today in Ireland, and much more.

To Rent the Irish Center for Your Special Event

The Center has AV capabilities and a catering kitchen and is available to rent for meetings and events. Call Cary Powers, 816-474-3848, to learn more about having your meeting, reception, holiday party or other event in this unique setting.

In Union Station
Union Station and the Irish have a strong historical link. From the Irish immigrants who provided much of the workforce that built the railroads, to the immigrants coming through Union Station to start a new life in the Midwest, to the thousands of Irish-American soldiers who shipped out and came home through Union Station, to the Irish-American workers who dug the coal and butchered the livestock transported across the country from Union Station.The Center's partnership with Union Station continues to honor this history.

Located in the lower level of the West wing of Kansas City's historic Union Station, the Center welcomes all. The Center hopes to eventually grow into a larger resource center and museum with a collection of permanent exhibits.

Location and Logistics

The Irish Center is located in the lower level of the west wing of Kansas City’s historic Union Station at 30 Pershing Road, Suite 700, Kansas City, MO 64108.  (On the map below, it occupies the space formerly called the Zephyr Room.)

Nearby attractions include The Liberty Memorial and the National WWI Museum, the Crossroads Arts District, the Crown Center Shops, and the Hallmark’s Visitor Center & Kaleidoscope.

The Center will be CLOSED Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & New Year’s Eve.

Inclement weather policy
For staff and volunteer safety, if schools are closed, we will probably be closed. Please call the Center to check.

Emergency numbers: Cary Powers 816-665-5156; Union Station Security 816-460-2030

Parking
A four-level parking garage is located on the west side of Union Station.

Parking Garage (on west side of Union Station)
First 3 hours are free, after that it’s $1 every half hour with a maximum of $10 a day.

Front (upper) Parking Lot
6 a.m. to 9 a.m. – Free
After 9 a.m. - $1 for 0-2 hours, $2 for 2 to 4 hours, $10 for more than 4 hours

Public Transportation
The Metro, Kansas City’s bus system, makes several daily stops at Union Station.
Amtrak has daily arrivals and departures from Union Station on the Southwest Chief, Kansas City Mule, St. Louis Mule and the Ann Rutledge.

Taxi service is also available to and from the Station
Checker Cab: 816-444-4444, Yellow Cab: 816-471-5000, Advanced Suburban Taxi: 913-209-9393

Driving directions
From the North / Northwest / Airport
Take I-29 to 169; 169 turns into the Broadway Extension. Stay on Broadway across the river and through downtown to Pershing Ave. (Pershing is about 23rd Street). Turn left on Pershing (East). At the first stoplight, turn left (North). After you turn, you will see a sign overhead that reads “Union Station West Yards Parking.” Enter the large parking lot on the right. Union Station/Science City will be the large building to the east of you.

From the Northeast by Liberty
Take I-35 South across the river to the downtown loop. Exit at 20th Street. At 20th, turn left (East) to Broadway. Turn right (South) on Broadway to Pershing Ave. (Pershing is about 23rd Street). Turn left on Pershing (East). At the first stoplight, turn left (North). After you turn, you will see a sign overhead that reads “Union Station West Yards Parking.” Enter the large parking lot on the right. Union Station/Science City will be the large building to the east of you.

From the Southeast
Take I-71 North to I-70 West/I-670 West to the Downtown loop. Exit to I-35 South (look for a sign to Union Station). Exit at 20th Street. At 20th, turn left (East) to Broadway. Turn right (South) on Broadway to Pershing Ave. (Pershing is about 23rd Street). Turn left on Pershing (East). At the first stoplight, turn left (North). After you turn, you will see a sign overhead that reads “Union Station West Yards Parking.” Enter the large parking lot on the right. Union Station/Science City will be the large building to the east of you..

From the West
Take I-70 East to I-670. Exit to I-35 South (look for a sign to Union Station.) Exit at 20th Street. At 20th, turn left (East) to Broadway. Turn right (South) on Broadway to Pershing Ave. (Pershing is about 23rd Street). Turn left on Pershing (East). At the first stoplight, turn left (North). After you turn, you will see a sign overhead that reads “Union Station West Yards Parking.” Enter the large parking lot on the right. Union Station/Science City will be the large building to the east of you.

From Johnson County
Take I-35 North to exit Southwest Blvd./Pennway or 1C. Turn right (East) on Pennway to Broadway. Turn right (South) on Broadway to Pershing Ave. (Pershing is about 23rd Street). Turn left on Pershing (East). At the first stoplight, turn left (North). After you turn, you will see a sign overhead that reads “Union Station West Yards Parking.” Enter the large parking lot on the right. Union Station/Science City will be the large building to the east of you.

From the East
Take I-70 West to I-670 West to the Downtown loop. Exit to I-35 South (look for a sign to Union Station). Exit at 20th Street. At 20th, turn left (East) to Broadway. Turn right (South) on Broadway to Pershing Ave. (Pershing is about 23rd Street). Turn left on Pershing (East). At the first stoplight, turn left (North). After you turn, you will see a sign overhead that reads “Union Station West Yards Parking.” Enter the large parking lot on the right. Union Station/Science City will be the large building to the east of you.

For more detailed directions, call 816-460-2020.