Halfway to St. Patty’s Day supports Ireland initiatives

If dressing up and decorating a mobile cooler to take on a jaunt around picturesque county roads tossing and chasing a cannonball sounds like a good time, the St. Patrick’s Celebration committee still has a few spots available for teams in its annual Irish Road Bowling event.

Scheduled for September 20, 2025, the event marks the community’s “Halfway to St. Patty’s Day” tradition.

You can register a team here https://www.stpatsirelandin.com/roadbowlingreg.html.

For those who are unfamiliar, the rules are straightforward. Teams of four players, all 21 and older, compete by rolling a small cannonball down a country road using underhand throws. The scoring system follows golf rules, with the team requiring the fewest rolls to complete the 1.5-mile course declared the winner.

The event accommodates 60 teams across three divisions: men’s, women’s, and co-ed, which requires two men and two women per team. Each division awards three prizes, and organizers include a “Best Theme” team contest, encouraging participants to wear creative outfits.

Registration costs $200 per team and is now available online through PayPal, debit, or credit card payments. Paper forms are available at Spud’s Food Mart.

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration raises funds for various projects throughout Ireland, and road bowling helps draw attention to these efforts while contributing to the fundraising efforts.

The celebration has supported significant community infrastructure projects in Ireland, such as installing sidewalks on County Road 500, which connects St. Mary’s Church to Ireland Elementary School, and distributing AED defibrillators to St. John’s Lutheran Church and the elementary school. The organization also repaved and extended a walking path around the elementary school and the baseball fields.

This year, the event will support the addition of lighting installations along the same walking path to increase safety and extend usable hours.

The Irish Road Bowling tradition began in 2010 as the committee’s tribute to the authentic sport practiced in Ireland.

Participants enjoy the outdoor experience and scenic 1.5-mile course while pulling decorated coolers in wagons behind their teams. The atmosphere remains largely non-competitive, with most participants focused on community enjoyment rather than winning.

Ties receive resolution through “Sham-rock – Paper – Scissors” competitions, adding to the event’s playful Irish theme.

The fundraising event serves a broader purpose beyond the single-day activity. Since the St. Patrick’s celebration occurs only once a year, the September bowling event provides additional fundraising opportunities for ongoing initiatives. It helps keep volunteers and committee members engaged as they prepare for the larger celebration.

The committee is also seeking more volunteers to help with the celebration and activities designed to enhance the community and celebrate its heritage. If you are interested, please contact Levi Hulsman at 812-639-6470 or by email at Levihulsman2@gmail.com.