Doris McCarville is proud of her Irish heritage and has worked to keep Irish traditions alive in her family and community.
Now she will be honored for her commitment.
McCarville, a Brandon Township resident, has been named the honorary chair lady of the Motor City Irish Fest, set for June 19-21, at Western Graham Field, 14841 Beech Daly, in Redford.
‘I was honored and humbled, there are so many wonderful people who donate their time,? said McCarville of the designation. ‘My husband (the late Roger McCarville) and I and our family have been part of the Irish community for such a long time.?
Doris McCarville’s parents immigrated from Ireland in the early 1920s. They raised their six children in Detroit and joined an Irish club that allowed them to meet other Irish people in the community. The family would go to weekly Irish dances. In 1959, Doris met Roger McCarville at an Irish pub, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. The couple wed in 1961, and lived in Ohio, Massachusetts and Virginia before moving to Ortonville. They raised six children.
Doris recalls Irish festivals at Hart Plaza in Detroit, and Roger founded the Irish band, ‘Wakes and Weddings? with a friend. The McCarvilles were also in ‘St. Patrick’s Players,? a drama group. The band continued for 30 years, playing at many parties and events and the McCarville children took Irish step dancing and penny whistle lessons.
‘We truly value our Irish heritage and want to know our ancestry,? said Doris. ‘My father’s home is still in Ireland it’s nice to go back to that. I’ve been back three times.?
Doris enjoyed 48 years of marriage to Roger, who died in 2009. Since 2010, the McCarville family has hosted an annual party they dubbed ‘Wakes and Weddings, the Next Generation.? Partygoers make donations and the McCarvilles designate proceeds to a charity. Past charities that have benefitted from their generosity include the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, step dancers bound for world competition, the Holy Trinity School, Irish Radio Hour, and the Motor City Irish Festival. Nora Cassidy, past grand marshal of the United Irish Society, and Motor City Irish Festival committee member, is pleased the committee has named McCarville honorary chair lady of the festival.
‘The person who we choose has been a volunteer or made a donation to the festival,? she said. ‘I’ve known Doris all my life and she is a wonderful person. If we don’t keep the Irish heritage going, it will die away… Her Irish heritage is important, but her Catholic faith is even bigger. She’s very active with the food pantry. She just doesn’t stop.?
The 2015 Motor City Irish Fest will feature acts including the American Rogues, a pipe and fiddle band; Seamus Kennedy, a comedian and balladeer; The Mahones, a high energy band; and 21 local bands, six schools of Irish dance, and an Ann Arbor stunt group. There will also be a vast array of Irish food and drink, vendors, and a whiskey demonstration will be provided by a whiskey expert from Dublin, with five different whiskeys highlighted. Ted Lindsay and Alex Delvecchio, former Detroit Red Wings players, will also have a meet and greet.
‘I am truly honored to be chosen as honorary chair lady of this event,? said Doris. ‘Where does one story start and another begin? Traditions keep going and the importance is that you are passing it on and now it’s a part of children’s lives and they are enjoying it. Everyone finds their own Irishness I think. You don’t have to be Irish to come and enjoy the festival. The Irish are fun-loving, hard-working, kind, and will welcome you with open arms.?
For full details on the Motor City Irish Fest, visit www.motorcityirishfest.com or email kmacmurph@aol.com