Each year the town of Ireland, Indiana gathers for a town-wide St. Patrick's celebration full of fellowship and fun! We enjoy celebrating our towns name-sake with events for all ages! There are many events that take place during this time. Past events have included the "Light Up Ireland", St. Paddy Whack (Rock/Paper/Scissors Contest), Little Miss and Little Mister Shamrock Pageant, the St. Patrick's Home Lighting Contest, a Dodgeball Tournament, an Irish Trot (5K Run/Walk), St. Patty's Breakfast, Luck of the Irish Craft and Vendor Fair, Cars and Coffee, St. Patty's Bake-Off, Irish Road Rally, Spud Launch, a Parade, Food Booths, and more! We also name an Honorary Mayor to preside over our opening events. We invite everyone to come and see our town turn green!  

The 2023 St. Pat's March Celebration will take place with events running from March 1 - March 19, 2023.

Schedule:

March 1, 2023

1/2 Pot Tickets on Sale
Tator Tot Baby Photo Contest Voting Opens

March 3, 2023

6:30pm  - Honorary Mayor for a Day Kick-Off Party/Light Up Ireland (Chicken Place front lot)

Our 2023 Honorary Mayor for a Day - Lavalla Breitwieser will kick off our events at The Chicken Place. Join us as we "Flip the Switch" to Light Up Ireland!
- Celebrate the New Mayor
- Prize Giveaways
- Watch the town “light-up” in green
- Meet the 2023 Miss Shamrock Pageant contestants and Ireland Elementary’s Little Lad and Lassie
- Ireland Elementary Students will perform the Star Spangled Banner
- Outdoor fun (dress warm).

8:00pm - St. Paddy Whack (The Rock Bar & Grill)

The St. Paddy Whack (Sham-Rock, Paper, Scissors Contest) takes place each year at The Rock Bar & Grill.
This year's event will take place on Friday, March 17, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.

Cost: $10
For Ages 21+
No pre-registration required - simply enter at time of event.
Maximum of 50 entries.

March 5, 2023

2:00pm - Miss Shamrock Pageant (Ireland Elementary School Gym)

The Shamrock Pageant is held each year to crown a Miss Shamrock, a Miss Teen Shamrock, and the Little Miss and Little Mister of Ireland. The event takes place at Ireland Elementary School.

The 2023 Shamrock Pageant will be held on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

It is open to girls & boys grades 2-4 (Little Miss & Mister), ages 12-15 (Teen), and ages 16-20 (Miss).

Scholarships will be awarded to the top winners in each category.

Registration Form

Rehearsal Schedule

March 6, 2023

At Dark - St. Pat’s Lighting Contest Judging

The Ireland and Boone Township area are invited and encouraged to "Green Up" (decorate) their homes for the month of March and enter the home decorating contest. The deadline to enter for prize money is March 5, 2023. 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place & Best Business!

There is no entry fee. Judging will take place on March 6, 2023 at dark. Don't forget to turn your lights on! Enter your home, your friends & families, neighbors, or even your business!  To register contact Janet Schitter at 812.630.4861 or register online.

Home Lighting Contest Registration

Time: Dark

March 17, 2023

4:00pm: St. Mary Fish Fry (St. Mary Cafeteria Parking Lot)

5:30pm: Cornhole Tournament - Ireland Elementary Gym (Doors open at 5:30/play starts at 6pm)

A Cornhole Tournament will be held at Ireland Elementary Gym during the St. Pat's March Celebration on March 17, 2023.

Teams are 2 person teams (Doubles). It is a single elimination tournament. We will have 3 Divisions: Elementary School/Middle School (13 & under), High School (14-17 yr-olds), and Adults (18 and over). Check in is at 5:30pm for ALL TEAMS with a 6:00pm Start Time!! Prizes will be awarded in each age category.

?Cost/Categories:
Elementary/Middle School & High School - $6/team ($10 at the door)
Adults - $10/team ($15 at the door)
Pre-registration ($6/$10 cost) will be accepted until 12 noon on Friday, March 17, 2023.
Admission (non team members): $1/person 4 & under free
Concessions will be available.

Questions? Contact Kevin Eisenhut 812.639.7209.

Online Registration

March 18, 2023

8:00am - Cars and Coffee (Texaco Station)

8:00-9:00am - Irish Trot 5K Run/Walk (Ireland Elementary School)

The Irish Trot 5K Run/Walk event is open to all! This event begins at Ireland Elementary School. Run starts at 8:00 check-in at 7:30am!
Cost is $30 (Pre-registration) | $35 after March 6 at noon.
Shirts are guaranteed with Pre-Registration only!!  Adult sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL - SportTec Long Sleeve
Contact: Andrea Stenftenagel 812.630.2778 or Allison Moorman 812.639.8158

Click Here for Registration

8:00-10:30am - St. Patty's Breakfast Buffet by St. Mary (K of C)

8:00am-2:00pm - Luck of the Irish Craft and Vendor Fair (Ireland Elementary School Gym)

Each year there is a craft and vendor fair held in March at the Ireland Elementary School Gym/Cafeteria and is part of the St. Patrick's March Celebration Events.

Click Here for Registration

8:00am-5:00pm - Sweet-D-Licious Kettle Corn (Outside Ireland Elementary School)

9:00-10:00am - St. Patty's Bake-Off Drop Off (St. Mary Community Center)

St. Patty's Bake-Off takes place at St. Mary's Cafeteria. There are 3 Divisions - Cakes/Cupcakes | Pies | Cookies/Bars and there is a special Men's Pie Division AND special Kid's Cupcakes Division (6-12 year olds)!  Prizes will be awarded to 1st and 2nd in each division.
The desserts will then be served at the Saturday Night Event. And the winning entries will be auctioned off! There is NO Entry Fee. Simply drop off your dessert entry Saturday morning at St. Mary's Cafeteria between 9:00-10:00 a.m.  Judging will begin promptly at 10:05 a.m. Questions?  Contact: Shirley Messmer 812.630.0011

9:00-11:00am - Ireland Lion's Club - Pot-O'Chicken and Dumplings PickUp (Chicken Place Lot)

9:00am-12:00pm - O'Blarney Kids Fun Station (Ireland Fire Station)

10:00am-12:00pm - Meet the Mayor (Ireland Elementary School at the Luck of the Irish Craft Fair)

10:00am-3:00pm - Historical Society Open House (Historical Society Basement of Grace Church)

10:00am-4:00pm - Lunch by St. John's Lutheran Church (Texaco Station)

10:30am - Irish Road Rally (Sunbelt Parking Lot (old Leed Selling Tools))

Cars will line up at Sunbelt Parking Lot (old Leed Selling Tools) in Ireland beginning at 10:30 a.m. | Start time will be at 11:00 a.m.
Cost: $25/Car Pre-registration by March 10 | $30 Late Registrations
Your car must have enough seatbelts for everyone riding in your car.
Cars will be released every 2 minutes.  No speeding or skipping stops. You will follow the clues received at each pit stop.
Prizes will be given for "Most Accurate Time" and "Best Decorated Vehicle".
Questions? Contact Geri Wehr at 812.630.9601.

Click Here for Registration

12:00-4:00pm - When Irish Wines are Smiling - Wine Tasting (Texaco Station)

A wine tasting "When Irish Wines are Smiling" will take place on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 12:00-4:00 p.m. at the Texaco Station. Wineries include BEST Vineyards and Winery, Monkey Hollow Winery and Distillery and French Lick Winery.
Cost: $10/person | 21 and older only (drivers license will be required to enter).
Additional snacks and food will be available for purchase provided by St. John's Church.
Keepsake Glass Included!

4:30pm - Irish Mass (St. Mary Catholic Church)

5:30pm - Laugh Your Shamrocks Off Event Comedy Show and Dinner (St. Mary Cafeteria)

Join us for the "Laugh Your Shamrocks Off" Comedy Show on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the St. Mary Cafeteria. Back by popular demand - Comedian Mike Armstrong 5:30 p.m. Doors open | 6:00 p.m. Dinner
Catered by Catering by Meyer | Cash Bar $30/person | 21 and over
1/2 Pot Drawing will take place at the Laugh Your Shamrocks Off Event.

March 19, 2023

8:00am-2:00pm - Sweet-D-Licious Kettle Corn (Outside Ireland Elementary School)

9:00am - K of C 1/2 Bar-B-Q Chicken and Pork Chop Dinners (KofC)

10:00am - Irish Mass (St. Mary Catholic Church)

10:00am - Irish Service (St. John's Lutheran Church)

10:30am - Irish Heritage Service (Grace and Truth Church)

1:00pm - Parade (Streets of Ireland)

There will be awards and all entries will be judged for Best Irish Theme and Most Enthusiastic. Floats, Decorated Golf Cart/ATVs, Walkers, Walkers & Vehicles, Antique Vehicles/Tractors, and Horses welcome!
Entry fee is $10.  Questions contact Janet Schitter 812.630.4861 or Jackie Hasenour 812.639.8093.

Registration Form

4:00pm - Spud's Sweep Raffle Drawing (Spud's)

Tickets will be available for $20. Only 200 available! Winners will be selected on March 19 at 4:00pm at Spud's in Ireland! Sweep winner will run their 45 Second Sweep on Sunday, March 26 at 8pm.

March 26, 2023

8:00pm - Grand Prize Winner of Spud's Sweep Raffle Drawing will run the sweep. (Spud's)

Date: March 1 - 19, 2023

Location: Various Venues in Ireland, IN 47545.

Click Here for More Information