O'NEILL, Neb.--The “Irish Capital of Nebraska” was the place to be Wednesday night as O’Neill kicked off its St. Patricks Day celebrations.

Ever since 1969, O’Neill has been the center of honoring Irish heritage and this year was no different.

From Wednesday through Saturday, the town puts on a celebration like no other in the Cornhusker State.

President of O’Neill Chamber of Commerce Lauri Havranek called the town’s honoring of its roots “a big shot in the arm” for the community.

“Everywhere benefits,” said Havranek.

O’Neill’s honoring of everything Irish heritage is a big deal in northeast Nebraska. Havranek said people come from all over the world to check it out for themselves.

“We’ve had O’Neills from Ireland in the past,” she said. “This year, we have three of General John O’Neill’s great-grandchildren that are going to be the grand marshals of our parade and they’re coming from California and Kansas.”

Of all the events that are put on, the most iconic event is probably painting the world’s largest shamrock in the center of town.

The town claims they’ve done extensive research and couldn’t find anything like it. Havranek described what it means to her and the rest of the community to have such a prestigious honor.

“We’ve worked really hard to earn it,” Havranek said. “We’re the only place in the world as far as I know with something like that in one of the main intersections of town that is permanent in the road. “