New Dublin’s Irish Lad and Lass Contest

NEW LONDON— The Shamrock Club of New Dublin is calling on local students to sharpen their pencils for the 2026 Irish Poetry Contest. The annual competition serves to select the year’s Irish Lad and Irish Lass to represent the community during St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
The contest is open to all fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade students in the New London School District and surrounding areas. While winners do not need to be of Irish descent, they must demonstrate an interest in honoring Irish heritage through their work.
This year’s theme, “Where the Wolf Flows, Shamrocks Grow,” highlights the connection between New London’s Wolf River and the River Shannon in New London’s sister city, Killaloe, Ireland.
“This year’s theme reflects not only the importance of the Wolf River in our community, but also recognizes the similarity between New London and our Sister City,” the Shamrock Club stated in the contest announcement.

Prizes and Honors

Two winners will be selected to receive:
•A personally engraved Shamrock plaque.
•A custom 2026 New Dublin sweatshirt.
•A $50 prize courtesy of the Shamrock Club of New Dublin.
The winners will read their original poems during the Irish Entertainment Program at the High School Auditorium on Thursday, March 19. Additionally, the Irish Lad and Lass will be featured as royalty in the Grand Parade on Saturday, March 21.

How to Enter
Entries must be submitted by Monday, March 9. Students may submit poems to their teachers or the New London Public Library. Each entry must include the student’s name, grade, school, teacher’s name, category (Lad or Lass), and a nighttime contact phone number on the back of the poem.
Students from outside the district may also mail their entries to: Melissa Mulroy 1776 Division Street New London, WI 54961.

All Roads Open to New Dublin

By Everett Uvaas
2025 Irish Lad
Saint Patty’s Day is drawing near,
The parade may be canceled, I fear.
Look at that! The roads are done!
All roads open to New Dublin!
What great timing! What great luck!
There goes a Leprechaun in his big green truck!
Spewing rainbows in his wake
We follow him to a pot o’ gold
This is a story that will be told!

Old Traditions, New Roads
By Dalis Yandre
2025 Irish Lass
Our small city, New Dublin, is strong and free.

We sing in laughter, fun and glee.
Look at me, just a wee lass so small
But my Irish spirit still stands large and tall.
Not long ago, people were angered along the streets
As they walked in despair among orange cones and concrete.
But now the streets are smooth and sweet
All the people come out to meet and greet.
We celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a parade
A local tradition that will never fade.
Where memories are made and candy is thrown,
And children laugh as their Irish pride is shown.
On this great day, no worries in sight
I am going to celebrate from morning til night
A surprise from Finnegan or so I’ve been told
Can’t wait to see what excitement this parade will hold.
With an Irish soul and an Irish heart
St Patrick’s and I shall never part.
Unfortunately the day will end
I hope to see you there, my friend.