​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.

Music featuring Patrick Cannady (pipes), Karen Cook (fiddle), Joe O’Shea (accordion) and Francie Campbell (accordion), Kevin Henry (flute) Malachy Towey (bodhran) and Dan Leonard (banjo)

Jake Schumacher (accordion)

Kevin Henry (recitation)

Music featuring Malachy Towey (bodhran), Albert Neary (flute), Kevin Henry (flute), Joe O’Shea (accordion), Francie Campbell (accordion), Frank Burke (fiddle), Mike McGrath (accordion), Jimmy Cloonan (banjo), Pat Cloonan (accordion), Larry Nugent (flute), Leandra Baker (fiddle, hidden)

Music featuring Malachy Towey (bodhran), Francie Campbell (accordion), Albert Neary (flute), Kevin Henry (flute), Verona Henry (fiddle), Maggie Henry (whistle), Declan McShane (piano), Cathy McGinness (bodhran), Frank Burke (fiddle) and Tim McGinness (fiddle)

Leandra Baker (fiddle) and Jake Schumacher (accordion)

Kevin Henry (funny song)

​Pauline Henry (poem)

Tom Dahill (song) with Ginny Johnson (concertina), Larry Nugent (flute) and Marta Cook (harp)

Music featuring Tim McGinness (fiddle), Malachy Towey (bodhran), Leandra Baker (fiddle), Devin Shepherd (fiddle), Frank Burke (fiddle), Sean Gavin (flute), Kevin Henry (flute), Marta Cook (harp), Larry Nugent (flute), Cilla Skrade (accordion), Pete Cloonan (bodhran) and Tom Dahill (fiddle) ​

Music featuring Leandra Baker (fiddle), Martin Cloonan (accordion), Pat Cloonan (accordion), Malachy Towey (bodhran), Francie Campbell (accordion), Frank Burke (fiddle), Larry Nugent (flute), Kevin Henry (flute), Albert Neary (flute), Padraig Walsh (accordion), Mikey Beglan (accordion), Tim McGinness (fiddle) and Cathy McGinness (bodhran)