Beaver Island Irish-American Hall of Fame
Honoring Legacy. Celebrating Contribution. Preserving Heritage.
The Beaver Island Irish American Hall of Fame was established to recognize individuals of Irish American descent who have made meaningful and lasting contributions to Beaver Island and its community. Through this honor, we celebrate leadership, service, creativity, and dedication, while preserving the stories that shape Beaver Island’s Irish heritage.
Inductees represent a wide range of backgrounds and accomplishments, united by their deep connection to Beaver Island and their commitment to strengthening its cultural, civic, and community life.
The Beaver Island Irish American Hall of Fame is an initiative of the Beaver Island Irish Heritage Group (BIIHG) and is formally celebrated each year during the Emerald Isle Irish Féile.
Since its inception, the Hall of Fame has honored individuals—living and deceased—whose work, service, and leadership reflect the enduring spirit and influence of the Irish on Beaver Island.
Robert Cole is a fifth-generation Beaver Islander with three of four grandparents descended from Irish immigrants, and his father’s ancestors founding the former community of Nomad on the island’s south end. Growing up in a family of commercial fisherman, his early life was filled with stories of island history, which later inspired him to collect oral histories of numerous island elders from 1990 onward – recordings and transcripts which today make up the bulk of the Beaver Island Historical Society’s Oral History Archives.
Robert is also a musician and published poet whose poetry has been set to music in the genre of Art Song and performed at venues around the country, ranging from the Baroque on Beaver classical music series to Carnegie Hall, with similar collaborations planned for production in coming years.
After years on the East Coast working in programming and events production at educational centers, he returned to his island home where he remains active in community media and cultural affairs in various capacities; including involvement in the Emerald Isle Irish Feile and other local cultural organizations. .
Patrick “Paid Een Og” Boyle was born in 1819 on Arranmore Island. He, his wife Ellen O’Donnell, and six children lived overlooking the Greene’s at Scraigathoke on Arranmore. Their children were all born on Arranmore.
Two boys and his wife died on Arranmore. One son was hauling lobster pots with Paid Een Og from a small boat. This son climbed up a cliff to collect eggs from a bird’s nest which was unattended at the time. While climbing the cliff, the bird returned and swooped down, startling the young boy. He lost his footing and fell to his death. A second son was mentally impaired. During the wake of the first son, this second son wandered off from the house. After a long search by family and friends, his body was found drowned in a bog-hole.
Shortly after the death of these two sons, Paid Een Og’s wife Ellen drowned herself off Arranmore due to her immense grief from the loss of her two young boys.
Paid Een Og’s sister-in-law, Sophia O’Donnell and husband Anthony O’Donnell, were living on Beaver Island when word reached them of Ellen’s death. Sophia and Anthony sent for Paid Een Og and the remainder of his family to come to Beaver Island. His daughters Bridget and Hannah had left Arranmore earlier, and were already living on Beaver Island. Paid Een Og built a home on the road which now bears his name. Later in life he lived in St. James Harbor by the point with a daughter and her family.
Daughter Bridget married Patrick “Paddy Hela” Boyle at Holy Cross Church in 1871. She immigrated around 1870. Their children were Daniel “Turner” who married Maggie Gallagher; Edward; Ellen who married Patrick “Paddy Mary Ellen” Gallagher; Cecelia aka Julia who married Frank Skopp, Hugh “Denemy” who married Mary Melvina McDonald; Mary Ann who married Francis “Ket” Gillespie; Bridget “Bid” who married Hugh O. Boyle; Francis and Hannah who died young; Sophia who married Nels LaFreniere; and William “Brutz” who married Elizabeth O’Connor.
Paid Een Og’s third son was Patrick “Paddy the Rat”. After leaving Arranmore, he was on Beaver Island for some time. He then married Anna Libbey and eventually moved to Escanaba. Two of his daughters, Mary and Rose, married Beaver Islanders: Martin Burns and fiddler Patrick Bonner.
Daughter Mary married Dominick Gallagher at Holy Cross Church in 1874. Their four children, Francis, Daniel, Mary, and Dominick, were all born on Beaver Island. They ended up moving to Escanaba.
Daughter Hannah married John Johnson. Their children were Peter; Nellie who married James “Shing” Martin; Elizabeth who married Frank Dunlop; Cornelius; Mary who had son James “Leonard” with Michael McCafferty; and Alice who married William Belfy.
There is a possibility Paid Een Og married a second time after arriving on Beaver Island.
Death 1897: Paid Een Og went drinking one winter evening. At that time of his death, he was living in the harbor with his daughter and her husband. They would leave a light on so he could find his way home. He had been attending a party in town and began walking home. His eyesight had deteriorated in his later years, and he must have slipped off the dock into the freezing lake, drowning. His body wasn’t recovered until after the harbor thawed in the spring or summer. His death is recorded as 1897. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery (location unknown, but probably in the oldest section in the north middle section).
(Biography courtesy of Mary Beth Greene Nelson)
Beverly O’Donnell Cantwell was a single mother raising 4 children after her husband Gus Walgus, passed away at a young age. She found her strength in her faith in God and raised her children with grace, perseverance and devotion-never once turning from her belief that God was the center of her life and all things were possible.
Her creativity and artistic spirit were unmatched. She was always the first to craft something beautiful for the church bazaars, and always was the first to offer her time, her hands and her heart in service to others.
Bev was born on Beaver Island to Frank and Nellie ( Vesty McDonough) O’Donnell.
She has strong ties to Arranmore, Co. Donegal and to Beaver Island and is proud of her heritage. Beverly is an inspiration to all who know and love her. Her legacy is faith in action-teaching us that love, service and belief are not just words, but daily choices.
Lois Stipp – Artist, Educator, and Community Leader, is a sixth-generation resident of Beaver Island, Michigan—an island she proudly calls her ancestral home. Her passion lies in championing the arts and encouraging volunteerism across the island. With a multifaceted background in nursing, arts education, and nonprofit leadership, Lois remains dedicated to making a lasting impact on her community.
Artistic Journey
● Lois discovered her love for art early on, attending a commercial art program during high school.
● After college, she balanced careers in both nursing and art, ultimately choosing to devote herself fully to creative work and teaching.
● She has spent over 20 years sharing her talents by teaching art to both children and adults
Contributions to Beaver Island
● Owner of the Beaver Island Gallery, showcasing work from over 25 local artists and offering events and educational programs.
● Director of the Museum Week Art Show for more than 35 years, coordinating community-wide projects like “Everyone’s an Artist.”
● Art instructor and facilitator of open studio sessions, classes, and workshops through the gallery actively aimed at inclusion of Beaver Island Community School students.
Broader Arts Leadership
● Former President and Chair of the Diamond Valley Arts Council in Southern California for over 15 years.
● Oversaw two galleries, a theater, and music concerts, while partnering with schools for arts education and after school programs for visual arts and music.
● Collaborated with city governments on arts development initiatives and nonprofit operations.
Community Involvement
● Board member of the Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance (9 years).
● Vice President of the Beaver Island Community Center.
● Board member of the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce.
PATRICK BONNER (Area of Contribution: Arts & Entertainment)
Patrick was the youngest child of Irish immigrants from Co. Donegal, he was born on Beaver Island in 1882 and married Rose Boyle in 1916. He received his first fiddle when he was 12 years old and learned to play by listening to first generation Irish fiddlers on Beaver Island. He was in demand as a dance fiddler for the many celebrations and gatherings on the Island. Legendary folklorist and ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax spent time on Beaver Island in 1938 recording Bonner’s music for the Library of Congress. Pat also wrote poems relating to Irish and Beaver Island heritage; some of which were recorded by Alan Lomax. Another well-known folklorist, Ivan Walton, of the University of Michigan was a collector of Great Lakes music and ballads. He recorded Bonner’s ballad “The Clifton Crew”. Pat was also proficient in lilting (Irish mouth music). His lilting was taped for the archives of U of M and MSU. Pat made a living as a farmer and worked other jobs on the Island when available; but his first priority was his fiddle. He was playing music until shortly before his death at the age of 91. Recently a book was written by Glenn Hendrix and Caoimhin Mac Aoidh “Islands of Fiddlers” the fiddle tunes of Patrick Bonner.
CYNTHIA GILLESPIE CUSHMAN (Area of Contribution: Cultural Heritage)
Cindy is being recognized for her lifelong expression of, and support for, Beaver Island’s Irish-American musical traditions; the island’s cultural and historic ties to Ireland; and the continuation of both through changing times. She inherited her love for music through her extended family, learning guitar from her father Jewell and old Irish songs from her mother Rita, and being influenced by the music of her brother Danny, the late Edward Palmer, and Arranmore native John Duffy – the last three people being recipients of this award themselves. Cindy has played an essential role in revitalizing and maintaining direct ties between Beaver Island and Donegal through her travels to Arranmore going back decades – weaving enduring friendships rooted in shared ancestry that nourish our special transatlantic bond to this day. Her deep reverence and affinity for the soul of the Irish people, and their difficult historic journey from their ancient homeland there to their new homeland here, are keenly recognized by islanders of both places. Cindy has honored our ancestors – their sacrifices, their gifts, and their undying presence – in her heart, and through her countless efforts to highlight and preserve our beloved cultural identity.
GLENN HENDRIX (Area of Contribution: Arts & Entertainment, Special Recognition)
Glenn Hendrix is an author and fiddler with a special passion for preserving and playing the music of Beaver Island and Michigan. He and his family have been summer residents of Beaver Island for over 50 years. When Glenn was 15, he met Patrick Bonner, along with other notable Island musicians over the years. Glenn played on Beaver Island with Ed Palmer’s band at Homecoming dances, for the Beaver Island Club of Grand Rapids parties, at the Glen McDonough Memorial Concert, at the Beaver Island Community School, and most recently for the TUNES benefit dance and dinner on Beaver Island. He often plays with Danny Gillespie and Friends as a guest fiddler. Glenn was honored to play for Patrick Bonner’s induction into the Michigan Irish-American Association Hall of Fame in 2015 at the Muskegon Irish Music Festival. He recently played on Arranmore at the Feile Roise Rua.
Glenn wrote Songs of Beaver Island for the Journal of Beaver Island History. Glenn recently published (with co-author Caoimhín Mac Aoidh) Islands of Fiddlers, Fiddle Tunes of Patrick Bonner, Beaver Island, Michigan, a book with music notation for Patrick Bonner’s fiddle tunes, histories of the tunes and stories of how the music of County Donegal came to Beaver Island.
D. ARCHIE LaFRENIERE (Area of Contribution: Business and Industry)
Archie was born on Beaver Island in 1912 to Nels and Sophia Boyle LaFreniere. Archie spent his life on Beaver Island. He introduced Summer Tourism to the Island, making it a popular summer destination, after the bottom fell out of the Fishing Industry and so many were forced to leave the Island. Through the years, he quietly helped many in need and provided employment opportunities for the Islanders. He partnered in the founding of the Beaver Island Boat Company, founded the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce, The Isle Haven Tourist Court, The Beaver Island Gift Shop, and with his Father, founded The Shamrock Bar, which for many years was a social hub on the Island—used for everything from legal hearings, wedding celebrations and even a trial. When his beloved wife, Francis Connaghan LaFreniere, passed, he initiated the construction of the California Redwood Cross that overlooks the Harbor. He was an amazing, self-taught artist, and many Islanders have his artistic Indian Ink Art Rocks in their homes even today.
RODNEY NACKERMAN (Area of Contribution: Public Service)
Rodney C. “Bud” Nackerman was born to Frank and Grace (Campbell) Nackerman in 1930 on Beaver Island, MI. He was born in the farmhouse on Barney’s Lake Road and enjoyed his childhood on the island. He left at 17 to begin his working career at Schroeder’s gas station in Pontiac and then joined the U.S.A.F. He was a Crew Chief and Veteran of the Korean War. It was during this time that a written correspondence began with Ruth Ann – he proposed with a ring in a coffee can via US Mail, and they were married in Cadillac in 1954. Their family relationships were built on a strong foundation of faith in God through the Catholic Church. Rod bought a milk delivery business and was a Sealtest Milkman for 10 years. He was a foreman at Pontiac Motors for 22 years, and he also started Tabletop Tax Service in 1960, spending 50 years as a tax preparer in over 300 clients’ homes.
Fascinated with his Irish heritage and the history of Beaver Island, Rod dedicated countless hours to researching and documenting his family’s genealogy. He traveled to Arranmore and was known for sharing his knowledge about his lineage and the island’s history with anyone interested. He even helped other families trace and document their island and Irish ancestry.
Rod’s involvement extended beyond his personal interests. In Lake Orion, he was a dedicated volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Crittenton Hospital Auxiliary, FISH, and the “No One Dies Alone” program. His contributions to Beaver Island were equally significant. Active in various local organizations and Peaine township, he was nominated for “Citizen of the Year” and received an award for his volunteer work.
As a committed AMVET of Post 46, Rod attended meetings, events and spent hours helping with the landscape work and watering the flowers at the Veterans Memorial Park. He loved to help with planting and watering – he did the same at the Community Center, Print Shop Museum and the Holy Cross Cemetery. These are great examples of the simple yet impactful ways Rod was there for his community.
His engagement with the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce was another testament to his community spirit. As a director, board member, and volunteer, Rod welcomed visitors to the island, sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge, and even driving the tour van for over 10 years. One of his greatest joys was offering guided tours around Beaver Island, highlighting its historical, geological, and cultural landmarks.
Rod also served as a board member and a dedicated volunteer for decades with the Beaver Island Historical Society. He spent countless hours lending a hand for any chore – he painted the Print Shop Museum and stairs, painted the Bob S at the maritime museum, moved and setup donated fishing and farming items to be displayed, and for many years, after Sunday mass, he walked over the Print Shop museum for his long time Sunday shift at the front desk – a highlight of his week for him.
Upon his passing, the Beaver Island Historical Society said “the Island community has lost a great friend, cheerleader, worker, mentor and so much more. Rodney’s commitment to the Beaver Island Historical Society is highly regarded and rarely duplicated. His knowledge of the Island and his ease in sharing that knowledge will be greatly missed.” In his memory, his grandchildren donated a desk to the museum, which now welcomes visitors in his spirit.
Rod lived a fascinating life rooted in his island childhood, a love of travel and the outdoors, devotion to his family, service to others, and most of all, kindness, cheerfulness, humor and good will.
LORETTA SLATER (Area of Contribution: Religion)
Loretta Slater was born on July 1, 1941. She was the first child of 7, born to Daniel Archie LaFreniere and Frances Bernell (Connaghan) LaFreniere, on Beaver Island, MI. Loretta learned the importance of Faith, Community and generosity of the Spirit at a young age. Following her Mother and Father’s loving guidance, Loretta became an active volunteer at Holy Cross Catholic Church, when she was just a child. This became the gateway for her lifetime of volunteer services to her Church and Community. As a child, she would gather altar flowers with other children for Sunday services. She, with the other Community children, would volunteer to bus tables at the annual August Chicken Dinner. During the time she lived in the Lansing and DeWitt, MI areas, she volunteered at Church BINGO nights and she taught CCD/Religious Education. Loretta was actively immersed in her Community—working through her Church, delivering Meals on Wheels to the elderly and shuttling the sick or disabled to their Medical Appointments. Moving back to Beaver Island, Loretta was one of the first to be certified as a Hospice Care Provider on the Island. She has volunteered her time and efforts annually for bake sales, chicken dinners, pancake breakfasts, funeral luncheons and just about any occasion that required volunteers or food donations. She continues to serve as a Eucharistic Minister and can still be found selling raffle tickets outside of Church, and you may have noticed that after all these years, she’s still at her post helping out in the Dessert Room for the August Chicken Dinner. She is determined to stay an active and helpful member of her Island Community, and Holy Cross Church, which she loves with all her heart.
Dr John Duffy John Patrick Duffy was born on St Patrick’s Day (17 March) in 1933 on Arranmore Island in Donegal. He was the 7th of 8 children. Trained as a physician, he came to the United States in 1964 to work at the Mayo Clinic and Loyola University in Chicago where there was a large Irish community, with very many Arranmore people in that community. In 1966, he came to Beaver Island in search of his aunt, Mary Duffy Gallagher, the last known Irish immigrant to speak Irish. Having found Beaver Island, John and his wife, Nora, contributed to the Irish cultural heritage of the island playing the bagpipes, singing, and dancing, and telling stories of Irish lore. His beloved wife Nora died in 2016 at the age of 84, and when the pandemic hit in 2020, John moved back to Arranmore, where he lives to this day.
Jerry Early Jerry is a bridge between the people of Beaver Island and the people of Arranmore Island. Early’s Pub is welcoming to all Beaver Island folks and those with any connection to the islands. Jerry Early is proud to call himself an islander. Jerry was born in Chicago and raised in his native Arranmore Island. He married fellow islander Patricia Boyle (related to the Greene’s & Boyle’s of Beaver Island) and took over the running of the successful and well-established business, Early’s Bar, from his parents, Andrew (RIP) and Mary (still going strong). They have 3 children – Kayla, Aisling and Paul who are now running the business on the island. Jerry would like to acknowledge the huge influence that Dr Duffy and the late great Charlie O’Hara had in forging and maintaining the strong links between our sister islands. It is his hope that as long as the tide ebbs and flows in Arranmore, that our younger generation will continue to enhance the beautiful relationship between our islands. “May we all someday meet again”
Pamela McDonough Grassmick Pam was instrumental in getting the Invasive Species program (Phragmites control) started; she has made Islanders aware of upcoming meeting agendas, election information, and ecological issues that might not have been known without Pam’s interest. She also promotes the activities of the Beaver Island Association such as Warblers on the Water and the BI Birding Trail. Pam can be found volunteering her time and talents with many organizations such as the Great Lakes Island Initiative and the Great Lakes Island Alliance as well as several local organizations. She currently represents Beaver Island on the Charlevoix County Planning Commission and the Charlevoix County Community Foundation. Pam is the daughter of Lawrence McDonough and Winnie LaFreniere McDonough.
Eleanor Gallagher McDonough Eleanor is Island born and raised and continues to emulate all the qualities that our parents and grandparents taught us from a very early age. Respect and honor describe the very depth of Eleanor McDonough. Eleanor Gallagher McDonough and her husband Glen, an Island born fiddler, were long-time members of the Beaver Island Club of Grand Rapids which hosted an annual Beaver Island Party which drew the Beaver Island diaspora for a weekend of music, dance, and reconnection. In 2008, Eleanor established the annual Glen McDonough Memorial Concert on Beaver Island as a free outdoor community event that has encouraged the continuation of Island music. Additionally, she created the Eve Glen McDonough Music School, a free fiddle camp for young students, ensuring that Beaver Island continues to foster music development and scholarship.
Timothy J McDonough Beaver Islander Tim McDonough is being nominated for the 2023 Beaver Island Irish American Hall of Fame for his outstanding public service as Beaver Island’s Volunteer Fire Chief. McDonough’s oversight as Chief includes that all mandated training, drills, and recertifications are mastered to state standards. Equipment and trucks are regularly inspected and tested weekly with the assistance of other volunteer fire department personnel. Tim was a long-standing member of the St. James Township Board, serving on the many committees whose work keeps Beaver Island functioning. Tim is also one of the faces of McDonough’s Market; his patience and interest in visitors and islanders alike help people to feel connected to the Island. Tim is the son of Joseph ‘Bud’ and Edna ‘Skip’ McDonough.
Edward Palmer Edward was a cultural icon whose music brought joy to an un-measurable number of people during his life. Music has been integral to the fabric of life on Beaver Island since the Irish settled here. Our island music embodies a variety of genres including traditional Irish songs, American folk songs and homegrown tunes written by Jewell Gillespie and many others. On June 14, 1946, Edward Palmer was born on Beaver Island to Clarence and Lorraine (Boyle) Palmer. He began playing musical instruments was he was just 9 years old and he was largely self-taught. He had a beautiful voice, his dancing was remarkable and his piano playing, guitar playing and his harmonica playing were legendary. He also served his country honorably during the Vietnam War. From the Homecoming Dances to the annual Beaver Island-Grand Rapids parties to many nights at the Circle M, Donegal Danny’s or the Beachcomber, his heart bounced off the piano keys for us all at one time or another. His signature tag line was “Is Everybody Happy?” Edward passed away on July 17, 2021.
Barry Pischner Barry was an artist by trade – a fine furniture designer. Barry used his talents to design exhibits at the Marine Museum and he was very proud of designing our monument to the twinning here on Beaver Island, the Grotto at Holy Cross Cemetery. Barry learned many Irish songs in Ireland and shared them with us all. He held a concert every spring to raise money for the enhancement of Holy Cross Hall. Barry grew up in Charlevoix, Michigan. His parents, Emil Pischner and Dolores Gillespie Pischner were both born and raised on Beaver Island. Barry enjoyed many trips to see his grandparents and his beloved Uncle Jewel. Jewel Gillespie taught Barry to play the guitar and Barry added to that talent his beautiful voice. Barry learned many of the traditional Beaver Island/Irish songs . . . and stories. Barry became involved in the Beaver Island Historical Society focusing on his true passion, the Marine Museum. Barry would often help arrange music and sing at family reunions, including a classic “When the Beavers was Irish”. He was a kind and gentle man.
Hugh Nancy Rodgers Hugh Rodgers has been an essential link between Arranmore and Beaver Island for decades. He was instrumental in facilitating the 2023 Beaver Island visit by so many from Arranmore and the Chicagoland area Arranmore diaspora. On Beaver Island in October of 2000 there was a “Gathering of Islands” where Arranmore and Beaver Island were twinned, cementing the generations long connection. Hugh Rodgers was Instrumental in organizing, facilitating, and honoring the connection between Arranmore and Beaver Island in our original twinning and again in 2023 for our Irish Féile. He has used his communication and storytelling skills to bridge gaps with all individuals educating them on traditions, history, folklore, and music. His attention to detail with history and the importance of preserving heritage has been instrumental over the decades for others to learn and grow. His caring, compassion, and wit while honoring customs of dance, music, and folklore bridges generations.
Kay McDonough Masini was an artist, poet, and writer. She was the daughter of Sarah (Sadie) Gallagher and Bruce McDonough, losing her father in the ‘Marold II’ fuel-salvage disaster of 1937. Her grandparents were Willy John Gallagher and Mary Duffy – who was Beaver Island’s last Gaelic-speaking immigrant born on Arranmore Island. Kay painted over 200 art scenes including lighthouses, Donegal Bay, and Holy Cross Church, which displayed her enduring love for the island she grew up on. She designed a special ornament for the 150th anniversary of Holy Cross Church, which won a national design award. She created multiple paintings and sketches of early fisherman and their nets, which were exhibited in the Marine Museum; and played a vital role in the restoration of the Marine Museum’s iconic 
Zoltan Zepeshy mural of early fisherman. She participated in annual local art shows, and donated many wonderful art works to PABI auctions. Her poetry, writing, and art are valuable contributions to Beaver Island and it’s Irish history. *Also pictured Kay’s husband Don.
Mary Beth Greene Nelson, a true island historian, Mary Beth has spent much of her life listening to island elders, collecting their stories, and recording information about many aspects of Beaver Island’s Irish genealogy and history. She devoted a truly remarkable amount of time and effort into the creation of a gravesite directory and map of Holy Cross Cemetery, offering an invaluable asset not only to the island community but for anyone searching for information on past islanders. Mary Beth’s priceless contributions have been enormously helpful in the preservation of our cultural heritage, in ways that will outlast us all.
Danny Gillespie was born on Beaver Island in 1953 to Jewell and Rita O’Donnell Gillespie. His parents were island musicians whose music and singing deeply influenced Danny’s musical education, along with that of other islanders like legendary fiddler Pat Bonner and the beloved Edward Palmer. His musical career has seen him become a staple of entertainment for generations of islanders through his performances at house parties, pubs, homes, and events. His talent for making the music of the past relevant today shows his dedication to carrying the torch of traditional Irish and Beaver Island music passed on to him by his elders, making him a worthy honoree by the Beaver Island Irish-American Hall of Fame.
Sister Mary Clare Malloy was born on Beaver Island in September of 1891, the eighth of twelve children born to John Patrick ‘Buffalo’ Malloy and Bridget Theresa Boyle. She is remembered for her thoughtfulness and the ways in which she touched many lives on the island; becoming a bridge for the many distant cousins and relatives whose lives took them far from their island homes. Sister Claire served in the WWI 
Cadet Nursing Corps, was later a nurse, and then a Hospital Administrator. Her induction into the Beaver Island Irish-American Hall of Fame represents the many Islanders of that generation who left the island and joined the religious life to make a difference for others. *Also pictured Sister Mary Clare’s niece.
Father Patrick Cawley served Holy Cross Church and the Beaver Island community with amazing compassion and “the heart of an angel” for many years. One of his most important contributions to the island’s Irish-American community was his staunch support for their traditions. He relished the sincere and time-honored death and burial traditions of the island’s Irish-American families, encouraging them to never let go of individually unique wakes, funeral processions to the Point, and visits to Holy Cross Cemetery, or whatever special honor the family felt the deceased would appreciate.
Helen Collar– Beginning in 1915, Helen spent over fifty years listening to and recording the stories of numerous Irish-American island elders. Her tirelessly dedicated oral history work, accompanied by her exhaustive archival research locally and beyond, amassed a treasure trove of island genealogy and lore which continues to guide and illuminate countless island descendants, researchers, and writers today. Artistically, her flawless and evocative sketches of the first generation of Beaver Island’s Irish settlers, inspired by vintage photos and the oral recollections of their grandchildren, gives us a vivid glimpse of the visages and character of those early immigrants. In the words of one Irish-American islander, “She gave us our history”. *Also pictured George Broder.
2026 Hall of Fame Nominations — Open April 1, 2026
Nominations are open April 1, 2026 for the 2026 class of inductees, which will be the fifth class honored by the Beaver Island Irish American Hall of Fame.
Selected inductees will be recognized during a formal induction ceremony at the Emerald Isle Irish Féile on September 12, 2026, on Beaver Island.
Eligibility & Nomination Criteria
Nominations may be submitted for individuals of Irish American descent, living or deceased, who have:
- A meaningful and substantial connection to Beaver Island
- Verifiable Irish ancestry
- Made a notable contribution in one or more of the following areas:
- Public Service
- Cultural Heritage
- Philanthropy
- Business and Industry
- Arts and Entertainment
- Religion
- Education
- Sports
Each nomination must include:
- Name of the nominee
- Category of recognition
- A brief description outlining the nominee’s contributions and worthiness
- Supporting materials are welcome but not required.
Selection Process
Nominations are reviewed by a committee appointed by the BIIHG Board of Directors, which screens submissions and recommends candidates for final approval.
To ensure each class of honorees receives full recognition and attention, the Board limits each annual class to up to six inductees, unless there is an overwhelming reason to include additional honorees.
Deadline for Nominations: The completed nomination form and any supporting materials must be emailed or posted on or before June 1, 2026. Nominations received after this date may be considered for the following year.
Celebrate Beaver Island’s Irish Legacy
The Beaver Island Irish American Hall of Fame is more than an honor—it is a way to preserve stories, recognize service, and inspire future generations to carry forward Beaver Island’s rich Irish heritage.
If you know someone whose life and work reflect these values, we invite you to submit a nomination and help ensure their story is remembered.