Ireland Celebrates America 250

By Irish Boston Tourism Newsroom

As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its founding in 2026, Ireland is joining in the celebrations. After all, American independence in 1776 was made possible by the valiant contributions of Irish and Scots-Irish immigrants who joined the American rebellion.

Of the Declaration’s 56 signatories, three were born on the island of Ireland, and five others were Americans of Irish or Scots-Irish descent. Numerous military heroes include Henry Knox, John Sullivan and Richard Montgomery, along with naval heroes John Barry and Jeremiah O’Brien.

An exciting new initiative now underway is the American Presidents’ Trail, which highlights locations across the island of Ireland that claim ancestral connections to former U.S. Presidents. Twenty-three of America’s 47 presidents claim Irish ancestry, including Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy!

Visitors to Ireland this year can revel in the Irish-American connection, thanks to a series of joint initiatives and activities organized by government agencies in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

TYRONE

Ulster American Folk Park

Created in 1976 as part of the American bi-centennial, the Ulster American Folk Park is celebrating its own 50th anniversary as part of America 250. This open-air museum, just outside Omagh in Co. Tyrone, tells the fascinating story of the people from Ulster province who emigrated to the American colonies starting in the 18th century.

This summer, the Folk Park celebrates America’s Independence Day on July 4-5, with live bluegrass and plenty of family activities. The weekend includes historical re-enactments by the Minstrel Boys Living History Group, and an appearance by TV personality Chef Paula McIntyre, who shares her modern interpretation of classic Appalachian dishes inspired from Ulster migrants.

McCallan Bonded Whiskey

Just up the road from Ulster American Folk Park is the McCallan Bonded Warehouse, a boutique, family-run business specializing in Irish whiskey. McCallan offers private tours, whiskey tasting and pop-up dining experiences.

John Dunlap, Master Printer

John Dunlap, a printer from Strabane in Co. Tyrone who emigrated to Philadelphia, produced the very first copies of America’s Declaration of Independence. Dunlap printed 200 copies of the Declaration from Thomas Jefferson’s original manuscript and circulated it to the 13 colonial assemblies.

Today, visitors can learn more about John Dunlap at Gray’s Printing Press in Strabane, an historic 18th-century printer’s workshop and former stationer’s shop that operates as a museum.

An Post, the Irish postal service, has issued a new stamp commemorating John Dunlap’s role in printing perhaps the most important document in American history.

DUBLIN

University College Dublin Clinton Institute is hosting a Conference on Irish Diasporas and the Making of America, featuring leading academics and scholars.

The National Library of Ireland in Dublin is completing a digitization project of holdings relevant to America250. The project will be available online.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin is showing a short film titled ‘US250 The Irish Connection’ and creating a traveling exhibition, ‘Ireland and the Making of America.’

WEXFORD

Along Crescent Quay in the Town of Wexford stands a statue to native son John Barry, a naval hero in the American Revolution. Having won the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War in April 1776 and the last battle in March 1783 and numerous battles in-between, Commodore Barry is often called the Father of the U.S. Navy.

The Barry statue in Wexford was unveiled on September 16, 1956, with dignitaries including Ireland President Sean T. O’Kelly and U.S. Congressman Thomas ‘Tip’ O’Neill. President John F. Kennedy, whose ancestors came from Co. Wexford, made a special pilgrimage to the Barry statue on June 27, 1963 and laid a wreath.

As part of America 250, The Kennedy Homestead and the Dunbrody Famine Ship in nearby New Ross, Co. Wexford are offering a series of lectures focusing on the emigrant experience, as well as a review of American culture through music and song

CORK

Cork immigrant Stephen Moylan, aide- de-camp to General George Washington has a place in history for coining the phrase, ‘United States of America,’ in a letter dated January 2, 1776. In February 2026, Irish government officials unveiled a plaque to Moylan at his birthplace on Blarney Street in Cork City.

KILKENNY

Kilkenny immigrant Thomas White was part of the famous Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773 that led to the American Revolution. Learn more about White at the Rothe House & Garden on Parliament Street in Kilkenny City, an historic house dating to 1594, and now a center for Kilkenny family history research and genealogy services.

ireland.com/en-us/features/america-250

BLUEGRASS BBQ CONCERTS
at Folk Park

June 21
Niall Toner Band & Gormacha

July 4-5
Pilgrim Street & Aiden Scott-Browne

August 16
Cool Hand String Band & Ian Alexander (pictured)