Catie Keogh - Irish American News

August 2011 Irish American News “We’ve Always Been Green!” 7The Irish ConnectionBy Colleen KellyNew Irish Lass Writes on TravelMy name is Colleen Kellyand I wanted to introduce myself,as next month will be my firstcolumn for the Irish AmericanNews. As an Irish American, Iam very excited to be writingfor what I believe to be one ofmost well respected Irish publicationsin America (and that it’sowned and operated right herein Chicago doesn’t hurt either!)I have been a loyal reader formany years, but now the tableshave turned and I will be writingmonthly for the web and printversions.The column will be mainlytips and advice about travelingin the US and throughoutthe world, with a hint of Irishlaughter thrown into the mix.And, being that this is a newcolumn, I wanted to give you alittle background.Although I was born in Chicago,I am an Irish-American whohas been raised in three states:Illinois, Texas and Arizona. Mymother was from Chicago andconsidered North Side Irish andmy father, also from Chicago,was South Side Irish.Being half North Side Irishand half South Side, I grew upabsorbing everything Irish. Itook Irish step dancing, listenedto long hours of my mother,Kathleen Sweeney Keogh, practicingIrish songs on her violinwhile my grandfather sang in hisIrish brogue, and I tried my firstGuinness in Ireland.My father, Bill Keogh, usedto say to his two daughters,“Work hard, go to college andmarry an Irish beer salesmanand I will be the happiest dadon earth!”With no beer salesman futurehusband in sight by the timeI finished college, I went outand became the beer salesmanor person, I should say, with abrewery selling Irish Stout andmy father, benefiting from themany beer samples I was given,was a happy man. I learned everythingabout beer that I could(it was a tough job but someonehad to do it) and since leavingthe brewery, I have used thoseskills wisely in many Irish pubsituations.After the brewery job, Ichanged careers and dove intoanother passion of mine, television.Along with a third partnerand my sister, Host Catie Keogh,I created a show our show onNBC called “24/7 Chicago”.Colleen KellyThen, after a couple years withthe NBC show, I decided to focuson my interest in all thingstravel and with my businesspartner, Tricia Fusilero, createda television production companycalled Travel Film Productions,which focuses mainly on nationaltravel shows.As you might have guessed,my other favorite subject is travel.Over the years, I have lived inEurope and traveled the world. Ieven got engaged and married inAustria. However, throughout allmy travels around the world, mylove of Ireland and the peoplehas remained constant.In my new column for theIrish American News, I willwrite about what I have learnedthroughout my travels and life,sprinkled with advice and tipsthat I have gathered along theway.I hope also to learn from you,the reader. Feel free to write meand give me any pointers, tipsor advice you may have. I hopeyou enjoy the column and I lookforward to a new year filled withtravel, adventure, fun tips, andof course, all things Irish (andthat includes the Guinness). Seeyou next month!Colleen Kelly can be reachedthrough Travel Film Productionsthrough email at info@travelfilmproductions.com(Please referenceIrish American News.)