Two locals to be inducted in the Michigan Irish American Hall of Fame

When Kathleen McNamara’s husband showed her the list of names being inducted into the Michigan 2022 Irish American Hall of Fame, she was excited to see Sean Ryan’s name on the list.

McNamara and her husband had listened to his music previously, so she was excited to see he was being honored. Then, she scrolled down to see her biography listed next.

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More:Five Beaver Island Irish community members to be honored

“I was like, 'That's cool, Sean is going to be inducted this year,’” she said. “Then I kept scrolling and saw mine was the next biography, and I was surprised, and shocked, and a little overwhelmed that I would be nominated.”

The Michigan Irish American Hall of Fame inducts anywhere from six to eight Irish Americans a year. There are usually around 10-15 nominations, said Neil Mullally, the program director for the Michigan Irish American Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame is run by the Muskegon Irish American Society. The group selected six different categories to nominate someone from to try to ensure the Hall of Fame was for everyday folks, not requiring fame or notoriety to be nominated.

“We wanted to make sure that ... a lot of the behind-the-scenes people, or people who aren't ordinarily recognized, can become members of the Hall of Fame,” he said.

The organization has inductees for philanthropy, arts and entertainment, education, and business and industry. More than one person from each category can be inducted each year. Someone must nominate the person before they are chosen for consideration.

McNamara, now residing on Beaver Island, was inducted under the education category. Long-time Petoskey resident Ryan was inducted in arts and entertainment.

Originally from Eaton Rapids, Michigan, McNamara began her teaching career on Beaver Island. After five years of teaching, she was promoted to the principal and superintendent role, which she served in for 26 years. She’s resided on the island for a little more than 40 years.

Since leaving teaching, she worked as the director for the Beaver Island Historical Society and then St. James Township supervisor. Now, she’s been working on grant writing.

“There's been a lot of awesome inductees into the Hall of Fame, and I am just honored that I can represent Beaver Island and my family in that ceremony,” McNamara said.

When it comes to celebrating her heritage, she said it is important to connect to her roots.

“I just think it's important to help people to understand where they came from and what kind of a group of people they're descended from, and to celebrate their heritage.”

McNamara was a part of starting a Beaver Island Irish American Hall of Fame, with this year being the first round of inductees. They will be celebrated at the Beaver Island Irish Festival Sept. 9-10.

Her family's roots trace back to County Clare, Ireland.

Ryan, a longtime musician and Petoskey resident, was born in Clonakilty, Ireland and raised in Youghan, Country Cork, Ireland. His family moved to the U.S. when he was 12, and now he resides in Florida.

He said he was extra excited to see that his friend Tom Powers was being inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously.

“I couldn't be more honored to say yes for posterity,” he said. “The two of us, Irish laggards, are going to be sharing the same space and the wall in the Hall of Fame. I love it. I'm tickled pink, I'm tickled green.”

Ryan retired from performing after arthritis reached his hands, but his musical talents have helped him solidify a legacy in Michigan.

He wrote “America’s Star,” the United States Marshal Service’s theme song, as well as “Blue Diamonds,” the Michigan State Police’s theme song.

“It's so nice to be such a part of two fine institutions like that,” he said. “I've traveled all over the world performing and all over the United States, and what great memories I have, but my fondest memories are all the people that I met in Petoskey.”

Right in town, he helped found The Noggin Room in the Perry Hotel. He worked there as a house performer.

When it comes to highlighting his Irish heritage, Ryan said it was important for him to share the influence Irish music has had on the world.

“Wherever the Irish went, they brought the music with them, and it's influenced the music of many nations,” Ryan said. "As the music of many nations have influenced the Irish, but Irish music is unique.”

McNamara and Ryan will be honored Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Michigan Irish American Music Festival in Muskegon. For a full list of inductees, visit michiganirishamericanhalloffame.org.

Contact education reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com or on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Sean Ryan, Kathleen McNamara inducted to Michigan Irish Hall of Fame