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

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!

2025 First Communion Dress Trunk Show- January 18-20th, 2025

The Cross and Shamrock's Annual First Holy Communion Dress Trunk Show is on Saturday, January 18th 10-5pm; Sunday, January 19th 12-5pm; and Monday, January 20th 10-6pm, 2025.

Our Trunk Show kicks off our Communion Dress season. Why attend our Trunk Show? At our trunk show, we offer a larger selection of dresses to choose from, and a special discount. If you buy a dress and veil at the trunk show, you receive 25% off the veil. If you buy a dress from our regular stock (in-stock and does not need to be ordered) at the trunk show, you will receive $25.00 off the dress.

An appointment is not necessary to attend our Trunk Show on all three 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 Trunk Show.

Need a little more personalized service? Need a little more time? Appointments may (not required) be made only for Monday on our website (Monday is both first-come, first serve and by appointment). You can book an appointment for Monday, Jan. 20th here: https://form.jotform.com/TimBauersachs/communion-dress-trunk-show-appt

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 owner Ann leading the store and her son, Tim, managing the store. 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.

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, call us or visit our shop." - Ann

Ann & Len
Founders, The Cross and Shamrock

Location

Browse our online store and call us if you have any questions. We'd love to see you in the store, too!

Closed: New Year's Day, The day after New Year's Day- Jan. 2nd, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas

Good Friday open 10-12pm, and 3-7pm (Closed during Passion Hours) | On Christmas Eve, close at 3pm | On New Year's Eve, close at 3pm.

OUR STORE

1669 New Jersey 33, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690

REGULAR STORE HOURS

Monday - Wednesday 10am - 6pm

Thursday and Friday 10am - 7pm

Saturday 10am - 5pm

Sunday - CLOSED (except Thanksgiving thru Christmas- open Sundays 11-5pm)