John Keegan's (1809-1849) celebrated poem 'Caoch O'Leary' was first published in 1846 in 'The Irish National Magazine'. It has retained its popularity since then, being anthologised countless times.

One winter's day, long, long ago,

When I was a little fellow,

A piper wandered to our door,

Grey-headed, blind and yellow; 

And, how glad was my young heart

Though earth and sky looked dreary,

To see the stranger and his dog -

Poor Pinch and Caoch O'Leary.

Keegan's gravestone in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, is decorated with an image of a piper.