Smilin’ Irish -Plymouth resident is parade marshal
Mar. 16, 2017 PLYMOUTH EAGLE.
Plymouth Michigan News
Don Howard
Staff Writer
Everybody is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, but one proud Plymouth Township Irishman celebrates his heritage every day.
Last Sunday, many local residents saw a familiar face in the 59th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade through downtown Detroit when Bryan Dunleavy acted as the grand marshal of the event. The proud Irishman was chosen by the United Irish Societies for the honor. He was celebrated during the largest ethnic parade in the state which this year saw more than 4,000 participants march through Corktown.
Members of the society annually select a grand marshal based on the individual’s lifelong contributions to the Irish Community. Dunleavy has unstintingly donated his time, business and financial resources and philanthropy to promote Irish heritage in the community, according to a spokesman.
Dunleavy was on hand at the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees meeting recently to accept the congratulations of officials and accept a special official proclamation presented by Supervisor Kurt Heise.
Heise honored Dunleavy for his continued role in keeping Irish history, culture and religious beliefs alive in the community and his activities throughout Wayne County, including his dedication and service to the St. Pat’s Senior Citizens Group of Detroit. The Irish Pallottine Fathers also named Dunleavy as the Man of the Year in 2013. Currently, he serves as president of the Fraternal Order of United Irish Men.
The United Irish Societies moved the parade from Woodward Avenue in 1985 to the historic Irish neighborhood in Corktown. The parade featured floats, high school bands, pipe drum bands and the Detroit Fire Department Clown Team along with local dignitaries. Always a crowd favorite, the cold temperatures didn’t deter the bagpipers and drummers in their kilts.
Four mounted horses from the Detroit Police Department had green glitter hooves and five Model T. cars marked the 100th anniversary of Henry Ford’s first plant in Ireland. About 80,000 people gathered along the route to watch the parade, according to official estimates.
Dunleavy and his brother, Tom Dunleavy, have owned and operated Dunleavy’s Irish Pub, located in Allen Park, for more than four decades.
Plymouth Voice.
Photo: © Don Howard – Associated Newspapers
