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The Mexican Irish Festival is back!
Sunday October 13, 12-5p
El Mercado, 2826 Bagley St., 48216
In the early 2000s, the Mexican-Irish Festival took place on a plot of land that is now the site of the Mexicantown Mercado. The festival was created to celebrate South West Detroit and Corktown. Maria Elena Rodriguez, the president of Mexicantown CDC, committed to producing an event celebrating our cultural similarities and historical connections.
The first Irish-Mexican Fiesta took place on August 27th, 2000, and was dedicated to the memory of Msgr. Clement H. Kern, a kind and generous catholic priest who was beloved by the community and who had a gift for making everyone feel special. Msgr Kern was a true pillar of support for families in the community.
The Mexicans and the Irish have deep Catholic roots and share a common history. During the United States invasion of Mexico during the 1846 - 1848 war, a group of Irish immigrants formed a battalion known to Mexicans as the San Patricios, who fought alongside Mexican soldiers against the United States. For Mexicans who had fought in the war and for generations that came after, the San Patricios were heroes who went to the aid of Mexicans in an hour of need. Ireland and Mexico still hold joint commemorations every year to celebrate this history.
After a long hiatus, Martina Guzmán, Christina Guzmán, and Angela T. Perez Harris have revived the Mexican Irish Festival to rebuild and strengthen the bond between the surrounding neighborhoods and re-establish community well-being. For more information, please email: mexicanirishfestivaldet