About O’Neill, Nebraska:
O’Neill, Nebraska (population of 3,581 as of 2020 census) is famously known as the “Irish Capital of Nebraska”. Founded by General John O’Neill in 1874 to help Irish immigrants settle in the West, the town is known for its massive St. Patrick’s Day parades and for being home to the World’s Largest Permanent Shamrock. Every March, O’Neill honors its Irish roots with a massive festival featuring traditional Irish food, dancers, and music that more than doubles the town’s population.
O’Neill serves as a major hub and popular access point for Nebraska’s Cowboy Trail, a 195-mile recreational trail built on a former rail bed that is perfect for walking and biking. Historic Golden Hotel: Built in 1913, this local landmark on the corner of highways 20 and 281 features rich architecture and local folklore indicating that Chicago mobster Al Capone used to stay there.
About Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in O’Neill, Nebraska:
Not surprisingly, the only Catholic church in O’Neill is Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church. Saint Patrick’s successfully completed a massive interior and exterior restoration project, officially unveiling the restored sanctuary in late 2025. The multi-million-dollar renovation effort, spearheaded by parish leadership and completed by Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc., aimed to return the historic church to its original, breathtaking 1909 design.
Highlights of the project included:
The High Altar: The congregation went back to the church’s roots by bringing back the historic high altar.
Apse Mural: The vaulted ceiling and apse feature a brilliantly repainted, stenciled, and gold-accented mural.
Furnishings: The original pew ends were salvaged and restored, and faux-marble columns were added to recreate the grandeur envisioned by the parish’s Irish founders.
Traveling to Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in O’Neill, Nebraska:
O’Neill, Nebraska is about 170 miles southeast of Omaha, the nearest large city, about 3 hours by car, typically via US-275 East. Lincoln, Nebraska is also a major urban hub located roughly 153 miles south of O’Neill.
Address:
Physical address: 330 E Benton St, O’Neill, NE 68763
Mailing address: 313 E Hwy 20, O’Neill NE 68763
Phone: +1 (402) 336-1602
email: stpatrick@holtboydcatholic.org