The Story of Kerreen O'Connor
Over the years Kerreen O’Connor has become a well known member of the Irish community in Denver. Few know exactly how, or more so what, attracted her to the Irish subculture of Denver that led to her opening the storefront that is now located in Downtown Littleton.
It is a favorite past-time of parents across the world to blame everything on their children but Kerreen is one who really can! It all started in 1999 when she got her two daughters, Caitlin and Lillie, involved in Irish dance and they immediately fell in love with it. Anyone who knows Kerreen knows she is not one for sitting back and watching so she needed something to do as she followed her daughters around from competition to competition and performance to performance. What better thing to do than selling the wigs, shoes, and all the other gear that Irish dancers require?
Kerreen started selling Irish dance items out of her basement and after years of traveling across the country to competitions, she traded in her frequent flier miles for a cute yellow cottage in historic Downtown Littleton. Her humble business of Irish dance supplies soon blossomed and she added Galway crystal, Belleek china, Irish jewelry, clothing, and so much more. Soon the storefront was a fully functioning Irish imports establishment.
One of the best things about Kerreen was her true dedication to customer service. If someone came in searching for an item she didn't have, she would find it. She would treat customers more like friends. Some of the repeat customers came to know that Kerreen, while a serious business woman, would refuse to trade in her infamous sweats for true business attire. That was the beauty of it all! She made the store into a hub for the Irish community by being a fun place to come and shop and keep in touch with everything that was going on.
Kerreen's business was the definition of a family business. All three of her kids worked at the store as an after school job and her husband was the reliable ‘handy man’ fixing everything and anything that needed it.
In 2008 when Lillie, Kerreen's second daughter, graduated from high school, Kerreen started to hand the reins of the business over to her. Lillie is now running the business which lets her mom become more involved than ever in other aspects of the Irish community.
Today Kerreen O’Connor’s specializes in Irish jewelry and home décor but products range from Aaron knit sweaters from Ireland to classic Belleek china and Galway crystal to the best of St. Patrick’s Day supplies for all ages. You can also rent kilts for that special occasion and find useful information, traditions, and help in planning any Irish wedding or event. Kerreen O’Connor’s supplies a variety of merchandise and values those items that celebrate the heritage, history, and culture of Ireland.
