ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATION IN O'NEILL
☘️Celebrate with us!
Residents in O'Neill prepare for the St. Patrick's Day celebration in March honoring the patron saint of Ireland. The celebrations have doubled the population of the "Irish Capital of Nebraska" each year for the past several years.
O'Neill, which was founded by an Irish native and proclaimed the "Irish Capital of Nebraska" by the governor in 1969, is home to the world's largest shamrock.
City officials began by painting the giant shape at the intersection of Highways 20 and 281 in the middle of town, but decided to make it permanent in concrete in 1993. (You can even see its outline on Google Maps.)
These days, the giant shamrock is a big tourist attraction, with people coming all year to see it. There have even been proposals and weddings at the site, Fritz said.
On St. Patrick's Day, the city of about 4,000 doubles its population, with visitors flocking to see the painting of the shamrock (it gets a fresh coat of paint every year just before the main celebrations), O'Neill's grand parade, Green Eggs and Ham -- a children's breakfast that features green scrambled eggs -- and other activities.
(parts taken from CNN article - 2011)
2025 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
ST. PATRICK'S DAY ACTIVITIES IN O'NEILL
Painting the "World's Largest Shamrock"
Painting the "World's Largest Shamrock"
Painting the "World's Largest Shamrock"
Each year the community gathers around the Shamrock and gives it a fresh coat of "Irish Green" paint for the celebration.
DYING THE PARADE HORSE GREEN!
Painting the "World's Largest Shamrock"
Painting the "World's Largest Shamrock"
Yes, you read that correctly. Don't worry it is only food coloring!
st. patrick's day parade
Painting the "World's Largest Shamrock"
st. patrick's day parade
Celebrate with our annual parade complete with our own washboard band!
DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT
st. patrick's day parade
Each year the local BRAVO group sponsors a Dodgeball Tournament that is always a big "hit" with the competitors.
irish walk of fame induction
The Irish Walk of Fame is a group dedicated to honoring all who have extraordinarily given of their time and talents to keep and preserve O'Neill as the Irish capital of Nebraska.
shamrock fun run
The event will start at St. Patrick's Church and end just north of the Shamrock Downtown and consists of a 2.5 mile walk, 2.5 mile run or a 5 mile run complete with GREEN BEER at the finish!