Richie Piggott

Irish Music Historian & Author

For the past twelve years, Richie has been researching and collecting the legacies of traditional musicians of the Irish diaspora in Chicago. He has now written and published a book, entitled Cry of a People Gone, covering Irish musicians in Chicago from 1920-2020.

Cry of a People Gone

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Piggott augments and extends O'Neill's documentation into the 21st century... an impressive amount of information... a rich, detailed view of the lives of people who came from Ireland and made a life in Chicago... Piggott's work is sure to become a classic in Irish musical history and preserves the legacy of those who loved, collected and played Irish music.
– Irish Edition (Nov. 2022)

Latest News - Dec 2025

A Celebration of Sessions in Lanigan’s Irish Pub

The Sunday night sessions in Lanigan’s Irish Pub at 3119 W 111th Street Chicago played a major role in my research into Chicago Irish music down through the years. It was there that I first met musicians Kevin Henry, Frank Burke, Joe O’Shea, Albert Neary, Malachy Towey and many, many more and the interviews of all led to the publication of my book Cry of a People Gone in 2022. The sessions were held in a small room away from the busy bar where music, song, poetry and recitations continued long into the night and sometimes following morning. It was there where the older musicians shared the music and songs they carried with them when they emigrated from Ireland in the late 1940s or early 1950s and where the younger musicians eagerly learned those tunes and songs to ensure they remain in today’s repertoire.

Click here for Photos / videos

As we are getting ready to celebrate Christmas and close out another year, I wish to share with you a selection of the many videos and photographs I have taken at these sessions. They include many friends and family members who have now gone to their eternal rest but are not forgotten, having played such a major role in the history of Irish music in this great city.

Irish Music Memories –
Interview with Nicholas Carolan

The third episode of my podcast is now online where you can listen to my interview with the esteemed author, musician, broadcaster, researcher and founder of the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA), Nicholas Carolan.
My sincere thanks to you all for your continued support of my research. I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

Richie Piggott, Chicago

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