Irish language singing group Seo Linn are among the acts playing at the Irish government’s official 1916 New York celebration on April 24.

The viral sensations Seo Linn will play three shows in New York this week as part of the city’s 1916 Easter Rising commemoration events.

Playing in the musical lineup at the main New York event for the 1916 Rising commemorations in Battery Park on Sunday, April 24, the group will also play a smaller gig in Maguire’s in Woodside on Monday, April 25, beginning at 8pm. Their third gig will take place in the White Oak Tavern in Manhattan on Tuesday, April 26, kicking off at 9pm. 

“Maguire’s is a premier music venue here in Queens that promotes Irish bands coming out to NY – [New York Irish-language teacher] Dave McLaughlin and I actually talked about the possibility of getting Seo Linn out here to play in Maguire’s almost two years ago when I first heard them at home,” said Maguire's owner, Sheila Lynott Hourican.

“I think they are just brilliant and love the way that they promote the Irish language in such a modern way among our young Irish.

“I was thrilled when I got the text today from Jane McCarter at the New York Irish Center to ask if I would consider hosting them… There was absolutely no hesitation whatsoever and jumped at the chance. I’m so grateful to Jane for thinking of us at Maguires and so excited to see them on Monday.”

The lads have had a busy few weeks; reaching massive success with the centenary anthem “Musicmakers” with which they closed out the RTÉ “Centenary” concert and lead singer Stiofán Ó Fearail has even been nominated for a Rising star award with Gradam an Oireachtais (Irish-language media awards).

Approached by RTÉ to produce the song last year, “Musicmakers” is a tribute to Ireland and its pride in the tricolor, one of the flags raised above the GPO when the Rising leaders proclaimed an Irish Republic in Easter 1916.

After playing such an important role in the celebrations in Ireland, the band will travel to New York this weekend to play for an estimated 5,000 people in Battery Park alongside The Gloaming and Paul Brady. The program will kick off in Wagner Park from 12.30pm following the official ceremony.

Seo Linn will return to the States this summer following their headline slot at new Irish-language festival Ravelóid taking place in June at Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan.