The Shamrock Shake Is Returning to McDonald’s
And a character that hasn’t been seen in decades is coming with it.
RYAN BRINGAS PHOTOGRAPHY/Photo courtesy of McDonald's
It’s always exciting when Shamrock Shakes return to McDonald’s — a sure sign that springtime greenery is on the way. That moment has now arrived.
But the festivities surrounding the minty seasonal shake’s limited-time return to restaurants nationwide — on February 10 — will be extra sweet this year. The chain is marking the 50th anniversary of the initial Shamrock Shake fundraiser in which it raised funds to build the first Ronald McDonald House, an effort that has since expanded into a non-profit organization that provides hospital-area housing and other services at sites around the country to families with ill or injured children.
Twenty-five cents from every Shamrock Shake sold, from February 10 through March 23, 2025, will be donated to local Ronald McDonald House Charities. Minty shake by minty shake, the chain aims to raise $5 million, which it says equates to about 50,000 overnight stays for families staying at the network of local RMHC sites.
“Our long-standing tradition of the Shamrock Shake is a testament to the joy we bring to our customers. This year, we are getting back to the first fundraiser that started our incredible partnership with RMHC,” Michael Gonda, McDonald’s chief impact officer, North America, says in a press release. “This Shamrock Shake Season … we’re reminded that the most precious gift is being close to those you love.”
The RMHC initiative actually started in 1974 (that’s 51 years ago, but who’s counting?), when the Philadelphia Eagles teamed up with members of the community and McDonald’s franchisees to help families of sick kids stay together during tough times. To date, the initiative has raised more than $1 billion.
This year’s celebration will also nod to McDonald’s history by bringing back a character that hasn’t been seen in decades: Grimace’s Uncle O’Grimacey.
“Vibrant, joyful, and generous,” according to the brand’s description, Uncle O’Grimacey has traveled from Sham Rock, Ireland, to reunite with Grimace and is now going “coast-to-coast, spreading Shamrock cheer with fans everywhere and celebrating RMHC and their mission to keep families together.”
McDonald’s will make additional donations to the RMHC from the sales of items from the Uncle O'Grimacey Merchandise Collection, which includes T-shirts, baseball caps and crewnecks, and is now available.
“Our fans eagerly await the Shamrock Shake each year. We are thrilled that proceeds from this minty-flavored treat will aid RMHC in keeping families together,” Joy Silmon, a second-generation McDonald’s franchisee, says. “Family is a core value at McDonald’s, and we live this every day. Together, with our crew, customers and iconic McDonaldland character Uncle O’Grimacey, we’re helping RMHC make families feel at home, even when they can’t be.”
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