![](https://www.hamilton.edu/assets/mmlibrary/images/original/bhnpopecrying.png)
Bob Halligan ’75 performed music from his International Catholic Celtic rock group, Ceili Rain, for the Pope at a gathering in Turin, Italy this past June. Halligan was the only American music artist invited to perform for the events surrounding the Pope’s visit.
Halligan, an award winning music veteran and Syracuse, New York resident considers himself to be "a radically serious Catholic and a huge fan of this Pope" and thus views this whole experience as "one of the greatest blessings of my life." Ceili Rain has been a professional touring and recording group since 1995 and is currently celebrating its 20th Anniversary. The band has released eight all-original recordings, and has been recognized with fourteen Unity Awards by the United Catholic Music and Video Association.
During his time at Hamilton, Halligan majored in English Literature and was known for his band Steak Nite, which highlighted the Saturday night festivities of Reunion Weekend 2015.