The Desert Shamrock was founded in 1989 by Robert E. Graham, who passed away of cancer in 1996. Knowing that he wished The Desert Shamrock to continue, several of his friends formed The Irish Group Ltd., as publishers of the paper.
 Maureen O'Mahar Rainhart was named Managing Editor and was President of The Irish Group, Ltd. Under Maureen's leadership, The Desert Shamrock was expanded to include news from Ireland as well as news and events in the Irish communities of Arizona. Until her passing in November of 2002, Maureen was extremely active in the Irish community of Phoenix and was a member of The St. Patrick's Day Parade and Faire Committee (Phoenix), E.R.I.N. (now known as Irish Network Phoenix), The Irish Foundation, The Irish American Social Club, The Irish Coalition, The Shamrock Club, The Sister Cities (Ennis) Committee, and the Irish American Cultural Institute. She was also supportive of all of the activities of the four Feis Committees of the Irish Dance Schools and actively supported The Irish Cultural Center in downtown Phoenix. Under her leadership, one of the tag lines for the paper provides another insight about its content: A non-political Irish newspaper focusing on the positive side of the life in the Irish world, including the entire Celtic Community.
Since Maureen's passing, the paper is being produced by her sister, Julie O'Mahar Chiesa, for over eight years. She owns the corporation, having bought out any previous partners. Julie serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire; is a former member of E.R.I.N., which is now Irish Network Phoenix, part of a national affiliation; and volunteers with a number of groups including the Arizona Colleen Programs. A key contributor, Kathy Wood served as Editor for several years providing proofreading, writing articles, and enthusiasm in promoting the paper.
Features found in The Desert Shamrock include news and local events of the Celtic Communities of Arizona; book reviews; music reviews; Irish sports; profiles of Celtic in America; updates about The Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix; news from Ireland; and The Celtic Directory, a listing of organizations around the State of Arizona.
The Desert Shamrock is the print communication media was originally designed for the Irish-born and the Irish Americans in Arizona, but expanded to include all Celtic groups. The newspaper is published every other month.
The Desert Shamrock publishes up to 7,500 copies of each prime edition with readership estimated between three and four persons per copy, or reaching up to 30,000 readers. More than 500 are mailed to our paid subscribers composed primarily of Irish-Celtic-American homes and businesses. The balance is distributed throughout the state at strategic business locations.
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