The Irish American Club was founded in the late 1980's and was established to promote Irish culture and to create an appreciation for Irish heritage. The club was formed after the City of Shawnee, Kansas established a sister city relationship with the City of Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland.

Many longtime Shawnee families are of Irish descent and the need to have a formal organization that could be both social and cultural in nature was its founding purpose. The club is not limited to Shawnee residents and in fact has many members from throughout the metropolitan area and even transplants in other states.

The club is responsible for organizing and promoting the annual Shawnee St. Patrick's Day Parade, which is held on the Sunday prior to March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. Every year a delegation of officials from Listowel are present to participate in the Shawnee parade and to be a part of the other festivities that take place around it.

The Shawnee Sister Cities Committee each year holds a duck race on the same day as a fundraiser for its programs. Other annual social events include a fall family picnic held at Lake Quivira in September and a Christmas Party held in December.

The club currently has over one-hundred dues paying members and monthly meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month, except December, at the Court of Appeal's at 11121 Johnson Drive in Shawnee. The only membership criteria is to have an interest in the promotion of Irish culture.

Annual dues for an individual are $10, $15 for a family and are payable each St. Patrick's Day.