St. Patrick's Day Holiday Events in New London, Wisconsin

New London, Wisconsin becomes New Dublin for an entire week during the St. Patrick's Day holiday. The whole city becomes a celebratory hub for festivities to celebrate this Irish holiday. Citizens change the town sign to read New Dublin on March 12, 2007. They encourage all to come and join in for the Irish Festival. The Shamrock Club of New Dublin is based in New London, WI and has monthly meetings when they plan the St. Patrick's Festivities for the city. Their purpose is to bring together individuals of Irish descent or relationship, or those that wish they were for the purpose of celebrating being Irish. Weekday festivities include serving corn beef and cabbage on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at various restaurants, including Pup's Irish Pub, Sommer's Midtown, and Half Nelson's. Tuesday has been named Hooligan Day. There is a theory that hooligan came from the name of an Irish hoodlum from Southwark, London named Patrick Hooligan. An individual that is a hooligan is unruly, exhibiting destructive behavior.

Irish caroling, songs, dance, humor, and Irish Ceili, which is Irish social dancing will take place. Irish caroling will be on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at St. Joseph's Residence and Franklin Park apartments. This is a great way to learn traditional Irish sing-a-longs. Song sheets will be provided and if you are interested in this, all will meet in the lobby of St. Joseph's at 5:00 p.m.
On Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. there will be Irish entertainment at the New London Sr. High School auditorium. Talented artists of New Dublin will present an evening featuring songs, dances, and humor of Ireland. The introductions of Irish Man and Irish Rose, Irish Lad and Irish Lassie, and Grand Marshall will be made. This is free admission, donations appreciated, and is great family entertainment. At 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2007, there will be Irish Ceili (kay-lee) at Crystal Falls. This is a traditional gathering of friends and family in celebration of Irish music and dance. The Ceili band and Caller are to be announced. There is free admission.

On Friday, March 16, 2007 the Finnegan's Wake service begins at Pup's Irish Pub two miles west of New Dublin on Highway 54 and proceeds to other local establishments. Finnegan's Wake is a parody of an Irish funeral. Saturday, March 17, 2007, is St. Patrick's Day. The Grand Parade and Irish Festival takes place. From 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Irish Fest will be held under the Big Top at the Festival Foods parking lot in downtown New Dublin. The huge heated tent will feature Irish food, beverages, entertainment, and market booths. This is an all-day family event. The bands featured this day are StoneRing from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Reilly from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00 for all day. A raffle drawing will take place at 6:00 p.m.

On Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. the St. Patrick's Day Parade will proceed through downtown New Dublin. New London claims that their's is the largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in Wisconsin with marching and bagpipe bands, clan, and business floats. There will be over 100 units involved in this parade and prizes will be awarded.

For more information on these festivities, visit www.newdublin.com. If you are coming from out-of-state or out-of-town there is lodging, restaurant, ground transportation, and airport information on this site as well. Visit New London (Dublin), WI this year for your St. Patrick's holiday enjoyment!