Shaun O’Nolan, known as the “Wicklow Piper,” was born in Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow in 1874, emigrated to the United States in 1898, and settled in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood. A singer, storyteller, actor, and uilleann piper, he modeled his performance style after Patsy Touhey’s. Nolan’s early experiences included performing with musicians such as Daniel Sullivan, and William & Michael Hanafin, dancers including John Finley and James Cahill, and he was a founding member of Boston’s Irish Music Club (c.1905). Nolan performed under his given name “John J. Nolan” until 1911, when he adopted his more commonly known stage name. In 1921, he toured the northeastern United States with the singer Shaun O’Farrell in a production that combined musical performance, a photoplay, and a short dramatic piece to rally patriotic support for Ireland. Between 1925 and 1931, Nolan recorded 74 sides for Columbia Records. A prolific songwriter, among the songs he is credited with are “Yes, You Did” (the “Colcannon Song”), “The Boys of the County Cork,” “Back to Donegal,” “Close the Half Door,” “My Uncle Dan McCann,” “Kerry Long Ago,” and “Mrs. Gilhooley.” In the early 1930s, he moved to New York City where he influenced the McNulty Family, who recorded many of his songs.