The annual Leprechaun Day was the official kickoff to New London’s biggest week. With the official changing of the signs, New London is once again New Dublin through the weekend. The well known Leprechauns spent the day Monday changing city signs and visiting members of all ages in the community. Robert Leahy, business owner and Leprechaun said the day is one of the best all year.
“We go around to all the daycare centers, nursing homes and some schools and we try to bring a little bit of cheer to people and get them to have some fun with us.”
For the Leprechaun’s it is mostly all about fun, but they also have to take care of some business, as many rely on them to spark the excitement for New London’s biggest week of the year.
“We start the whole celebration off” said Leahy. “We help get people in the right attitude and the right mindset to go have fun and embrace their Irish heritage.”
Dressed in green and gold, the Leprechauns toured New Dublin, making stops at local day cares and at Most Precious Blood School. The Leprechauns surprised the kids with gold coins and took time to show the classes how to dance an Irish jig.
“We do it out of the kindness of our hearts, but it was its rewards” said Leahy. “When you see the smiles of the kids when they are given a gold coin, or the smiles on the ladies when you give them a green carnation, it becomes really rewarding.”
Leahy has been a Leprechaun for 17 years. The Leprechauns have been at work for 33 years.