ICON Artworks is proud to pay tribute to the beloved Notre Dame University mascot with our officially licensed LEPRECHAUN Desktop Sculpture!   A perfect gift for students, alumni, faculty, and fans alike!  GO FIGHTING IRISH! 

The history of Notre Dame’s mascot sounds more like the beginning of a small zoo than that of a beloved sports icon. While the famous leprechaun logo was drawn in 1964 during Ara Parseghian’s first year of coaching, before this, a bulldog, canary, goat and several terriers each served as the face of Notre Dame.

“With this aggregation of animals, the kangaroo hurdling hedge fences, the goat bucking the line and the dogs doing tricks on the side- lines, Notre Dame should present a terrifying appearance to any antagonist,” a Sept. 22, 1900 South Bend Tribune article read.

In 1924, Notre Dame began heralding terriers as their team’s mascots. Clashmore Mike I, the most well-known of the bunch impressed the crowd with sideline gymnastics. Clashmore was beloved by fans and students for 10 years, running around campus and entertaining at sporting events until his death in September 1945. He was buried in Notre Dame Stadium, according to a Dec. 7, 1945 Scholastic article.

Terriers — prone to running away or getting run over — slowly faded from the university’s history, but the leprechaun of today’s games didn’t make an appearance until 1960. In fact, Notre Dame did not officially become the Fighting Irish until 1927, and were known simply as the Catholics in the 1800s and the Ramblers or the Rovers in the early 1900s.

Today, Notre Dame athletics describes the leprechaun as representing “the tenacious spirit of the Fighting Irish and their determination,” referencing the Irish immigrant soldiers who fought in the Irish Brigade during the Civil War. The brigade’s chaplain, Rev. William Corby, C.S.C., served as the third president of Notre Dame.

Regardless of what animal or name represented Notre Dame, the spirit was the same: relentless in the fight to the top.

• Created by acclaimed sculptor Robin Richerson of ICON Artworks 
• Handcrafted in Cast Pewter, Bronze Plated Cast Pewter and a "Made to Order" SPECIAL EDITION 18K GOLD Plated Cast Pewter
• The Leprechaun Desktop Sculpture is offered in two sizes:  "Small Leprechaun" stands 6 inches in height (including base).  Total Weight: 2.5 lbs. /  "BIG LEPRECHAUN" stands 8 inches in height (including base).  Total Weight: 5.0 lbs.   
• Each sculpture is mounted on a round, black Belgian marble base which can be customized or personalized with laser engraving to commemorate any event or achievement (e.g., Graduation).  Click here to view custom engraving samples.
• Officially Licensed by Notre Dame University and Fanatics Licensing
• First Edition is individually numbered, limited to 1000
• Includes a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Artist
• MADE IN USA 

ICON Artworks Cast Pewter is handcrafted by our team of skilled artisans with an antique finish in the highest quality, lead-free Fine Pewter alloy used for sculpture.  Though not considered a "precious metal" like platinum, gold, and silver, pewter is a very valuable alloy used since the Bronze Age because of its lustrous silver finish, its malleability, durability and its ability to capture incredibly fine detail.  Pewter does not rust or deteriorate and can be enjoyed for generations.   

PLEASE NOTE REGARDING ENGRAVING:   To include engraving, select "Add Engraving" when placing your order and input your message at "Checkout."  Custom graphics or logos can be incorporated.  Email us at [email protected] with any questions you may have.

(Source notes: University of Notre Dame -Scholastic: Becoming the Leprechaun)