The Cross and Shamrock

Your Family-Run Gift Shop for Special Occasions

Welcome to The Cross and Shamrock!

Tim, Ann, and TJ

The Cross and Shamrock is a family-run gift shop and online store located in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. We specialize in Irish Gifts and Religious (Catholic and Christian) Items. The Cross and Shamrock is often referenced by locals as the go-to store for special occasions, like Baptisms, Communions, and weddings.

Our goal is to provide great customer service and offer unique products. We love interacting with our customers, many of whom have become friends over the years, and the community.

We love being a part of someone’s story!

2027 First Communion Dress Kick-off Event- January 9-18th, 2027

The Cross and Shamrock's Annual First Holy Communion Dress Kick-off Event is Saturday, January 9th thru Monday, January 18th, 2027.

Our First Communion Dress Kick-off event starts our Communion Dress selling season. Why attend our Kick-off Event? At our Kick-off Event, we offer a larger selection of dresses to choose from, and special discounts. If you buy a dress and a veil at our Kick-off Event, you will receive $50.00 off the dress. If you buy only a dress at the Kick-off Event, you will receive $25.00 off the dress.

Hours:

Saturday, January 9th- 10-5pm

Sunday, January 10th- 12-5pm

Monday, January 11th- 10-5:30pm

Tuesday, January 12th- 10-5:30pm

Wednesday, January 13th- 10-5:30pm

Thursday, January 14th- 10-5:30pm

Friday, January 15th- 10-5:30pm

Saturday, January 16th- 10-5pm

Sunday, January 17th- 12-5pm

Monday, January 18th (MLK Holiday)- 10-5:30pm

An appointment is not necessary to attend our First Communion Dress Kick-off Event on all ten days. Dressing rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis, after your child has picked three dresses and is ready to start trying on dresses. To make the experience more enjoyable for all guests, only 2 adults and no extra children (besides the communicant) are permitted at our Kick-off Event.

We look forward to making your shopping experience a great one!

Our Story

The business began in 1985 by husband and wife, Len and Ann, along with their friend Anne, out of pride and love of their Irish Heritage and Catholic Faith. Ann and Anne met while working together as nurses in a local hospital and have remained close friends to this day. Ann’s parents immigrated to the USA from County Meath and County Cavan, Ireland.

For the first 10 years of the store, Len, Ann, and their children, Erin and Tim, would vend at Irish Festivals from Boston to Baltimore, and the Jersey Shore to the Poconos, just about every summer weekend. The store grew in size over the years and moved into several locations in Hamilton Township, NJ, until the store moved into its current, permanent, location in October 2007. Ann and Len specifically designed the current store’s white storefront to resemble a cross between a Cathedral and an Irish cottage.

Len, who sadly passed away in March 2017, managed the store for 30 years, cementing it as a fixture in the community. His tireless effort allowed the store to grow and get bigger and better each year.

Today, the tradition continues with Manager, Tim leading the store and owner Ann is semi-retired. Our family is blessed with an amazing staff, which still includes Anne, and our Assistant Manager, Jessica. When you enter the doors of our store, you are greeted with a ‘Welcome to The Cross and Shamrock’. We want people to feel at home and very welcome in our shop. We proudly recently had our 40th Anniversary in business.

Ann is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren. Erin has two daughters- Carolan and Brigid. Tim has three sons- TJ, Noah, and Owen. We are very blessed.

We invite you to check out our website or visit our family store in person!

"We carry many more items in our store than on our website, so if you do not see what you are looking for, come visit our beautiful store." - Ann