Colleen

Information & Application

Every year, some of the finest young women from the Springfield area and surrounding towns compete for an opportunity to represent the City of Springfield as the Colleen or a member of the Court.

A panel of judges will interview contestants at the preliminary contest, and five finalists will be picked to represent the Springfield Colleen Court at the Preliminaries. One of the five finalists will be crowned Springfield Colleen at the Coronation Ball.

So, will you be the next Springfield Colleen?

2027 Applications will open in the fall! Stay Tuned!

Eligibility Requirements

If you have questions regarding eligibility, please reach out to colleen@springfieldstpatricksparade.org.

Young Women of Irish Descent between 17 and 22 years of age.

Single, Never Married, Engaged, or had/with a child.
At least a High School Junior
Residents of Springfield, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Monson, Palmer or Wilbraham are eligible. (Residents of other towns MAY be eligible)
Young women who attend a high school/college within the towns that the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee Oversees.
- Confirmed with a transcript and/or a valid school ID
Additional Qualification: If you do not reside in or attend a school within our contingent, but are a young woman who has a direct family member who is a member in good standing of the John Boyle O'Reilly Club, you may apply.
- With the understanding that they will still need to be present if selected as the Colleen or a member of the Court to fulfill all duties and events within the year, they are awarded.
Former Colleens and Members of the Court, from any contingency within Massachusetts, are NOT eligible.
- Past applicants who were not chosen in prior years, but remain eligible may reapply.
Those applying for the Scholarship must currently be enrolled in school.

Colleen Application

Applications Currently Closed & Will Re-open in the Fall!

Our Colleen Application is available via a Google Form.

For questions relating to the Colleens or the Contest, please email colleen@springfieldstpatricksparade.org

Colleen Awards & Gifts

All court members receive a genuine Irish wool sweater, scarf, sash, jewelry, and more.

The Colleen receives the above, a tiara, and 2 round trip tickets to Ireland to be used before January 1st, 2027.

Colleen and her Court are also gifted with gifts donated by the Committee and area businesses.

The Springfield Colleen and her Court will ride atop a themed float in the Holyoke St. Patrick's Day parade and attend many events, parties, and fundraisers throughout the year.

Each of the five colleen finalists will be eligible to apply for the Mossie and Kathleen Murphy Scholarship. ($750 award).

New for 2026: Each of our 5 finalists will receive a $500 Wellpoint Scholarship (the only additional qualification is that you must be enrolled in, or plan to enroll in, a school, trade, or certificate program).