The Irish American Community lost a great leader and friend this past week. Tom Looney passed away at the age of 81. Tom grew up in the Irish village of Ballycashen in the town Kilnaboy in County Clare as the youngest of seven children. He immigrated to the United States on 1960, was drafted into the Army in 1962 and married his wife, Bridget "Breege" Looney in 1966 and they remained inseparable. In the 1980's, Tom and Breege took over the famous Abbey Pub in Chicago and featured new and established acts from around the world. Tom was the President of the Irish American Heritage Center and helped acquire, finance and refurbish the center through Irish tradesmen. Tom is survived by his wife, Breedge, daughters Siovhan and Dierdre, sons Patrick and Thomas and eight grandchildren.
On today's show, we feature music from The Coors, Connla, The Tumbling Patties, The Chieftans with Imelda May, Katie Grennan, The East Pointers, Makem and Spain, The Town Pants, David Curley and Mike Broderick, Roy Buckley, Jiggy and Bagatelle. It's all right here on WNDZ 750AM or live streamed on globalirishradio.com or on our website at www.windycityirishradio.com.