The Birth of a New Irish Sound in NYC
New York City has long been a melting pot of musical experimentation, a place where cultures collide and new genres emerge. From jazz in Harlem to punk in the East Village, the city’s rich musical history has birthed some of the most innovative sounds in the world. In the 1990s, a new genre of Irish music took root in the city’s bar scene—one that blended traditional Irish storytelling with the pulse of hip-hop and the energy of dance music. This genre, sometimes referred to as Irish Rebel Hip-Hop, found its home at Rocky Sullivan’s, a legendary Irish bar that became the heartbeat of this unique fusion.
At the center of this movement was Chris Byrne, a former New York City cop turned musician, who had already made waves as a founding member of Black 47—a band known for its politically charged Irish rock. But Byrne had a different vision. He wanted to push Irish music further, blending uilleann pipes, bodhrán beats, and traditional folk melodies with the contemporary sounds of hip-hop, reggae, and electronic dance music. The result? Seanchaí and the Unity Squad, a band that redefined what Irish music could be at his bar Rocky Sullivan’s in NYC (seen above).
What is Irish Rebel Hip-Hop?
Unlike traditional Irish folk music, which is often acoustic and rooted in centuries-old ballads, Irish Rebel Hip-Hop takes the rebellious spirit of Irish resistance songs and injects it with modern urban energy. The defining characteristics of this genre include:
- Storytelling Through Rap & Spoken Word – True to the band’s name, Seanchaí (Irish for “storyteller”), the music weaves narratives of Irish history, struggle, and identity through rap verses and spoken word.
- Traditional Instruments Meet Beats – Byrne’s mastery of the uilleann pipes blends seamlessly with modern drum machines, synths, and reggae-infused basslines.
- Political & Social Commentary – Following in the footsteps of rebel music, many of the songs tackle themes of Irish nationalism, working-class struggles, and contemporary political issues.
- Dancefloor-Ready Rhythms – With a mix of hip-hop breakbeats, electronic loops, and reggae grooves, the music is designed to move crowds, not just tell stories.
From Rocky Sullivan’s to Red Hook
Seanchaí and the Unity Squad made their mark playing weekly Sunday sessions at Rocky Sullivan’s, first located at 129 Lexington Ave before moving to Red Hook, Brooklyn. The bar became a cultural hub for Irish musicians, poets, and activists, attracting both old-school traditionalists and younger, genre-bending artists.
Rocky Sullivan’s was more than just a venue—it was a community space where Irish music evolved in real-time. Byrne and his collaborators infused the room with a raw, streetwise energy that resonated with both Irish expats and local New Yorkers looking for something beyond the standard pub singalong.
The Evolution of Seanchaí
After the initial wave of success in the late 90s and early 2000s, Byrne continued to experiment with different projects, like Chris Byrne and the Lost Tribe of Donegal. However, the Seanchaí name has recently been revived, with Byrne leading a fresh lineup featuring longtime collaborators such as:
• Ursula Garry, a talented flutist who grew up between Queens and Ireland, learning from masters like Martin Mulvihill and Jack Coen.
• Andrew Harkin, a multi-instrumentalist who played with previous iterations of Seanchaí and now serves as the band’s beat-maker, combining bouzouki with electronic production.
Byrne himself remains deeply connected to both traditional and contemporary Irish music. He can often be found playing uilleann pipes at weekly trad sessions in Brooklyn and Manhattan, while also working on new Irish-language material—a testament to his commitment to keeping the culture alive in new and innovative ways.
St Patrick’s Day shows at Ernie O’Malley’s
The band played a series of St Patrick’s Day sets at Ernie O’Malley’s that I was invited to attend. This marks their first appearance as Seanchaí in 12 years. After entering through a hidden entrance behind a bookshelf, I emerged into a standing-room-only crowd in the hidden underground music hot spot. The crowd at the packed bar was buzzing with excitement when Seanchaí took the stage, launching into their reggae and hip-hop-infused brand of Irish music with electrifying energy. Chris Byrne’s powerful vocals drove the set, his words pulsing through the room like a battle cry, while Ursula Garry’s backup vocals and flute danced over the beats, adding a hypnotic melody that wove effortlessly between the rhythm. The basslines thumped, the drum machines kicked in, and suddenly, the room was alive with movement—bodies swaying, fists pumping, and voices shouting along to rebel anthems reinvented for a new era. As the Guinness flowed and the beats dropped, it was clear: this was not your average St. Patrick’s Day session—this was an explosive fusion of Irish spirit and urban fire, and the crowd couldn’t get enough. Their latest single, “Ar Ais Arís”, moved the crowd and it is set to drop next month, marking another chapter in the band’s ongoing evolution.
A Legacy of Innovation
On Saint Patrick’s Day in New York, where the streets are filled with green-clad revelers and bagpipes echo from every bar, it’s important to remember that Irish music isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about innovation. Seanchaí and the Unity Squad, (now Seanchaí) represent the next step in that evolution, proving that Irish music can be as urban, political, and rhythmically powerful as any other genre in NYC’s rich musical landscape.
As the city celebrates its deep Irish roots this March, the legacy of Rocky Sullivan’s, Seanchaí, and the rebellious fusion of Irish music and hip-hop continues to inspire a new generation of musicians who refuse to be boxed in by tradition.
Sources:
• Rocky Sullivan’s Wikipedia
• Seanchai and the Unity Squad – Rebel Massive