Long Island Inn’s Shamrock Vies For Guinness’ World’s Largest

JERICHO, NY — The historic Milleridge Inn which played a role in the American Revolution is looking to make history again, this time by breaking a record for the world’s largest painted shamrock in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Workers at the inn painted the giant green 1,100-square-foot creation in its parking lot in an attempt to unseat the concrete shamrock that is “the pride of O’Neill, Nebraska,” organizers stated in a news release. The O’Neill shamrock is the world’s largest and it was made a permanent fixture in green colored concrete at an intersection in the center of the city in 1993, according to the city’s website.

If recognized by Guinness, the inn’s shamrock will break the record for the world’s largest shamrock for a second time, organizers said.

The Milleridge Inn and officials of the Town of Oyster Bay bested O’Neill’s record in March 2018, by unveiling a 1,000-square-foot shamrock, which was also painted in the parking lot of the restaurant, organizers said.

This year’s shamrock was unveiled on Monday during a socially distanced event that was attended by representatives from the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens, and Nassau County Firefighters Pipe and Drums and Irish dancers provided entertainment, organizers said. The event was attended by Nassau County legislators James Kennedy and Rose Marie Walker, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin and Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, as well as Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Vicki Walsh.

Yamali called St. Patrick’s Day, as well as the entire season surrounding the holiday, which is named for Ireland’s patron saint, a “time of pride and celebration.”

“For people who trace their roots to the Emerald Isle, not to mention everyone who loves the Irish people, their traditions and culture, this is a great time of the year,” said Yamali after the shamrock was unveiled on Monday. “That is why the Milleridge Inn and St. Patrick’s Day revelers are so excited to be setting a world record with respect to the largest shamrock image to be seen across the globe.”

Jeff Clark, vice president of the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens, said the organization was proud to be on-hand to witness the record-breaking shamrock that was crafted in the village.

“I am delighted that we were able to be a part of this momentous occasion,” he said.

In an email, Guinness World Records North America’s public relations manager Amanda Marcus confirmed the organization received an application for the title and attempt, and it is currently awaiting evidence to review.

Marcus said that after researching within the organization’s database, she could not confirm that it currently monitors record titles “similar to largest shamrock in the world.”

“Within our application process, we provide the applicant with guidelines that are specific to that record category and must be adhered to, to qualify,” she said. “These guidelines also detail the evidence that must be submitted. Our standard application review process can take up to 12-15 weeks of submission. Once received and reviewed, our Records Management Team will then confirm the success or failure of the record attempt.”

Kennedy called the traditions surrounding St. Patrick’s Day “magical and exciting.”

“I want to thank the Irish American Society and the bagpipers, along with the team at the Milleridge Inn, for making this St. Patrick’s Day more special than ever before,” he said.

Walker said that her family traces its roots back to Ireland, and creating the largest shamrock in the world is a great way to celebrate Irish heritage.

“I would love to break the record again next year,” she said.

Clavin said it was a great day to be Irish and called the enormous shamrock is “a record breaker, and it is fitting that it has been created right here on Long Island, a place that boasts a vibrant Irish American community.”

D’Esposito said she was delighted to be part of the celebration.

“During the coronavirus pandemic, this event demonstrates that we can still celebrate St. Patrick’s Day while being safe at the same time,” he said.

Councilwoman Walsh said that she was delighted the world’s record is being set in Oyster Bay Town.

“Today, everyone is Irish,” she said.

The shamrock painting coincides with a week-long celebration of St. Patrick’s Day at the inn, which began last Friday and culminates on Wednesday. As part of that, the inn will be highlighting its St. Patrick’s Village and an Irish menu, as well as running drink specials such as $5 Jameson Whiskey and Green Tea shots.

All the inn’s activities are COVID-19 safe with social distancing and mask requirements, as well as sanitizing protocols that are scrupulously” followed, officials said.