Motor City Irish Fest

Meet Brian and Pam Dunleavy, 2022 Motor City Irish Fest Honorary Co-Chairs.

If there is a club or activity that involves the Irish American Community, you can bet that Brian and Pam Dunleavy are at the center of the action. It’s what they have done all their lives, along with Brian’s parents, brothers and sisters, and now, with their children. And that dedication to family and community is why the Motor City Irish Fest is pleased to recognize Brian and Pam

Dunleavy as the Honorary Co – Chairs of the 2022 Motor City Irish Fest. Brian Sean Dunleavy, a first – generation Irish American, has his roots in Bohola, Co. Mayo. His father, Thomas, who immigrated to America, and his wife, MaryEllen (who he met at Detroit’s Gaelic League) had eight children, Brian being the 6th . As a family, the Dunleavy’s were deeply involved in the Irish community in America, which instilled a deep love and appreciation for his heritage in Brian and served as the foundation for his many volunteer and charitable activities in adulthood. The family’s dedication to their heritage is exemplified by the fact that there have been three Dunleavys, Brian’s father, Thomas, his Uncle Jamie, and himself, who have served as Grand Marshal of the United Irish Societies St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Always a hard worker, Brian had engaged in several entrepreneurial enterprises growing up, and, when he reached adulthood, worked with Vernors and Pepsi, jobs that let his gregarious Irish personality shine. This culminated in the eventual establishment of Dunleavy’s Downriver, an Irish Pub in Allen Park, with his brother Thomas. It was a natural fit from the start, and its success was modeled on a Pub started by his Uncles, which, remarkably, was the third liquor

license granted after prohibition ended in 1933. Dunleavy’s Downriver remains one of the few, true Irish – owned bars in Michigan after 32 years in operation.

While Brian tends to be the face of the Dunleavy family, wife Pam works behind the scenes to make sure that everything runs smoothly with both Brian’s home life and his many activities.

And she does that in her spare time, after a workday as VP of Sales and Marketing for relocation management company Aires. Married 33 years, Brian and Pam have perfected the system that allows for an active home, church, and community life. They have raised three sons in this mold, and those sons and their families, Marty Dunleavy, Kyle Dunleavy (wife Alex and daughter Ava) and Ryan Dunleavy (wife Samantha and sons Ian and KJ) are already making their own impact in the Irish American community. It’s a legacy that brings them the most pride.

The other legacy of which they are so proud is the commitment to Irish heritage. Mentioned earlier, the Dunleavy’s have been involved in numerous organizations, including The Dunleavy’s Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), The Knights of Equity, the Fraternal Order of United Irishmen, The United Irish Society, the Irish Bar Owners Association, The Gaelic League/Irish American Club of Detroit, and, of course, the Motor City Irish Fest. Brain has received many

awards and accolades over the years from many of these organizations for his selfless contributions, both monetarily and with his time. As Brian said himself…”I love this work, and I

have given all of myself to it.” It shows, and the Irish American community is better for it. Thank you, Brian, and Pam Dunleavy.