The Hall of Fame honors Irish Americans with strong ties to Michigan who have made
significant contributions to various fields in Michigan life.
Category of Religion: Irish Pallottine Fathers
Recognized for their ministry and loyalty to the Michigan Irish diaspora and their descendants,
this series of dedicated Priests and Brothers have been a vibrant presence providing valued
care in pivotal times in people's lives for the past 67 years. Established in Thurles, County
Tipperary in 1909, the Irish Pallottine Fathers’ primary focus was Missionary outreach in various
parts of the world. In 1958, that missionary zeal led them to establish a community in
Wyandotte, MI to assist the Archdiocese of Detroit and minister to the Irish diaspora in
Michigan. Present in difficult times of illness or death and on joyful occasions like weddings and
baptisms, the Irish Pallottine Fathers keep Irish Michiganders connected with their roots. They
serve as Chaplains to the Fraternal Order of the United Irish Societies (FOUIS), several
divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) and multiple other service organizations.
Avid fundraisers for the education of priests and the poor and marginalized in mission lands, the
annual Irish Pallottine Dinner Dance is the Irish marquee event of the year in Metro Detroit.
Category of Arts and Entertainment: Margaret Murphy
Margaret was the founder and director of the Irish Dance Company of Lansing for many years.
The troupe consisted of young people ages 5-18. She found practice sites and venues to dance
in the Lansing area. The popularity of the troupe grew to the point of dancing at the Boston
Pops Concert at the Breslin Center at MSU and many more venues. Margaret did all of this as a
volunteer, yet she helped dancers with shoes and other dance apparel, often sewing dresses
and sashes. Margaret promoted Irish culture everywhere she went and her Irish wit entertained
us all. She was a great influence to all the young people that danced in the troupe and she still
keeps track of them as they now have careers and families.
Mick Lane
Proudly rooted in working-class tradition, Mick has dedicated his life to Irish-American music,
cultural preservation, and community building across the Midwest and beyond. As a lifelong
traveler due to his professional union organizing work, he played Irish music in pubs and folk
venues across the United States. Known as “Big Mick”, in the international folk world, he has
served as the frontman and driving force behind the Conklin Ceili Band for nearly three
decades. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with significant figures in folk and
traditional music. He is a founding organizer of the Buttermilk Jamboree, has organized and
performed in benefit concerts to support fellow musicians, and played a central role in
performances to establish Michigan's An Gorta Mor (Great Hunger) Memorial, where he
continues to perform annually for commemorative ceremonies. Mick is a United States Navy
veteran, husband, and father of 3 daughters.
Tom Schaub
Playing a vital role in shaping the artistic identity and international reputation of the Michigan
Irish Music Festival, Tom has been the festival’s primary talent coordinator since its founding.
Tom has dedicated countless hours to researching artists, building meaningful relationships
within the Irish music industry, and carefully curating lineups year after year that reflect the
richness and authenticity of Irish culture. His commitment to artistic excellence has helped the
festival grow into one of the premier Irish music festivals in the United States. Through his
dedication, expertise, and long-standing relationships in the Irish music community, Tom Schaub
has made a profound impact on the cultural landscape of West Michigan. His efforts have
strengthened ties between Ireland and the local community while enriching the lives of
thousands of festival attendees.
Category of Public / Community Service:
Joseph Patrick McGill
An attorney who was recently appointed Ireland’s 1st Honorary Consul to the State of Michigan,
Joseph is also the 90th president of the State Bar of Michigan (“SBM”) and has served on its
Board of Commissioners since 2015. He founded Irish Network Detroit (formerly known as the
Michigan Irish American Chamber of Commerce) and is a past president of the Catholic
Lawyers Society of Metropolitan Detroit and the Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers.
McGill earned his BA in finance from Michigan State University, Juris Doctorate and Master of
Business Administration from University of Detroit Mercy and dual Master of Laws in taxation
and corporate/finance law from Wayne State University. He resides in Plymouth, MI with his wife
and son.
Peggy Sullivan Gray
A highly active person in the Irish community, Peggy is a core member of the Motor City Irish
Festival. She developed The Wee Folks programs for the festival and participates in the
festival’s advertising and development. Her other Irish activities include creating and maintaining
the Irish displays at the Livonia Public Library and content creation, billing, and distribution for
The Parade Times magazine, which is a fundraiser for the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Additionally,
she serves at division & state levels for the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians as Mission &
Charity Chairman. In 2020, Peggy was recognized as the 62nd Grand Marshal of the Detroit St.
Patrick’s Parade & was named 2025 Pallottine Woman of the Year.
The 2026 Michigan Irish American Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at a public
ceremony at 11:30 AM on the Grafton Stage of the Michigan Irish Music Festival in Muskegon,
Michigan, on Saturday, September 19, 2026. For more information about the ceremony, visit
michiganirish.org or contact Morgan Witmer at
The Michigan Irish American Hall of Fame was founded in 2012 by the Muskegon Irish American Society.
The Hall of Fame currently has 80 members, and is permanently displayed on the Hall of Fame website.
A digital exhibit of the Hall of Fame is being planned to be available in locations across Michigan. To see
the members of the Hall of Fame, please visit the Hall of Fame website at
https://michiganirishamericanhalloffame.org/ .
