The Michigan Irish American Hall of Fame, in conjunction with the Michigan Irish Music Festival, are proud to announce the 2026 class of Hall of Fame inductees. 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 morgan.witmer@michiganirish.
