MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As St. Patrick’s Day celebrations take place across the United States, a local pastor with roots in Northern Ireland is offering perspective on the holiday’s deeper meaning—while also highlighting a long-running international youth program that continues to impact lives in Hutchinson.
Keith Neill, associate minister at First Presbyterian Church, said St. Patrick’s Day has historically been more than parades and festivities, particularly in Ireland.
“St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He was taken as a slave from Britain as a teenager, escaped, and later felt called to return to Ireland to spread Christianity,” Neill said. “For a long time, the day was centered around religious services.”
Neill noted that prior to the 1970s, pubs in Ireland were closed on March 17 in recognition of the holiday’s religious significance. While modern celebrations now include parades in cities such as Belfast, Londonderry and Dublin, he said the day remains a public holiday focused on family and heritage.
He also pointed out that some traditions commonly associated with St. Patrick’s Day in the United States are not rooted in Irish culture.
“The corned beef and cabbage tradition is really Irish American,” Neill said. “Back home, it would be more stews and traditional dishes. And not everyone wears green—historically, people might wear a shamrock instead.”
Neill, who is from Northern Ireland, said differences in how the holiday is observed between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have diminished over time.
“Thankfully, we’ve reached a point where people can celebrate St. Patrick as part of shared heritage, rather than seeing it through a religious divide,” he said.
In addition to discussing the holiday, Neill highlighted the Ulster Project, a youth leadership and cultural exchange initiative that has brought Northern Irish teens to Hutchinson for more than two decades.
The program began in 1975 during “The Troubles,” a period of violent conflict in Northern Ireland, with the goal of fostering understanding and leadership among young people from different religious and cultural backgrounds.
“It was about taking young people out of that environment and helping them see a different way forward,” Neill said. “I was part of the very first group in 1975, and it had a profound impact on my life.”
Hutchinson became a host community for the Ulster Project in 2000. Since then, local families have welcomed teens from Portadown, Northern Ireland, each summer.
This year’s group is scheduled to arrive July 1 at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport. Participants are selected through an interview process in Northern Ireland, with organizers aiming to choose students who demonstrate leadership potential.
“We always say we’re getting the cream of the crop,” Neill said. “These are young people whose families are invested in giving them this opportunity to grow and make a difference.”
During their stay, teens are paired with host families and participate in activities designed to build relationships across cultural and religious lines. Neill said the experience often exposes participants to new perspectives, including attending different church services and adapting to cultural differences in daily life.
“The openness here, especially around faith, is something that really stands out to them,” he said. “And, of course, the Kansas summer heat is always a bit of a shock.”
Neill said the program’s impact extends well beyond the summer experience, with many participants maintaining lifelong friendships.
“We’ve seen young people stay connected for years,” he said. “Some have even had their American host friends stand up in their weddings. Those relationships are lasting.”
As preparations continue for this summer’s visit, Neill said the Ulster Project remains a meaningful example of how cultural exchange can build understanding and shape future leaders.
“It’s about relationships,” he said. “And those relationships can change lives—not just for the kids who come, but for the families and the community here as well.”