About Us

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., publishers of the paper.

Maureen O'Mahar 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 Committee, E.R.I.N., 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.

Since Maureen's passing the paper is being produced by her sister, Julie O'Mahar Chiesa. Features found in The Desert Shamrock include news from Ireland; news and local events of the Irish Communities of Arizona; Irish book reviews; Irish music reviews; Irish sports; The Irish in America; updates on the progress of The Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix and The Celtic Directory, a listing of all the organizations around the State of Arizona.

The Desert Shamrock is the print communication media for the Irish-born and the Irish Americans in Arizona.  The newspaper is published every other month.

Traditionally, The Desert Shamrock publishes up to 10,000 copies of each prime edition with readership estimated between four and five persons per copy, or reaching 25,000 to 50,000 readers. More than 2,000 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.