America 250

In 2026, the United States will mark a major milestone - the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As the U.S. prepares to celebrate this historic occasion, Northern Ireland is proud to spotlight the deep and enduring connections that have long bound the two nations.

Discover America's Roots in Northern Ireland: The America 250 Story

From the 18th century onward, waves of emigrants from Ulster helped shape the foundations of what would become the United States of America. Among them were Ulster-Scots settlers who played a pivotal role in early colonial life and the Revolutionary War, particularly in regions like Appalachia where their customs, music, and storytelling traditions continue to flourish. At least five signatories of the Declaration of Independence had family roots in Ulster, and over two million people made the transatlantic journey between the 1700s and 1800s.

The legacy of these connections lives on today, not only in the fabric of American society but also in the powerful genealogical ties linking the two nations. Seventeen U.S. presidents, including Andrew Jackson and Chester A. Arthur, have ancestral links to Northern Ireland, ties you can trace through sites and archives dedicated to family history.

To commemorate America 250, visitors to Northern Ireland can explore a series of rich, engaging attractions that reveal the people and places that helped shape America. To learn more we recommend you begin your journey at the Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh, where you can follow in the footsteps of emigrants, from their rural Northern Irish beginnings to their new lives in the Americas. To reflect the important occasion, National Musems NI are introducing a wide range of exciting events, exhibitions and activities for visitors at Ulster American Folk Park. 'STORIES OF US' is a chance to bring new stories to life, including James McGavock, who played a role in the move towards US Independence; Charles Thomson from Maghera, one of the first signatories of the Declaration; and John Dunlap, a printer from Strabane who later went on to print the first copies of the Declaration. 

In Hillsborough Castle, the official royal residence in Northern Ireland, you'll find stories of visiting U.S. dignitaries and diplomatic ties that have played a key role in Northern Ireland's peace journey. Meanwhile, in Carrickfergus, the Andrew Jackson Cottage and US Rangers Museum celebrates both presidential roots and military bravery.

In Derry~Londonderry, the Siege Museum and Tower Museum explore American links to the city's history, including transatlantic trade and emigration. Gray’s Printing Press in Strabane tells the story of how ideas and printed words helped stir revolutionary ideals on both sides of the Atlantic.

At Springhill House, uncover stories of family heritage and emigration, while the Armagh Robinson Library holds rare early American texts. Arthur Cottage in Cullybackey offers an intimate look at the ancestral home of President Chester A. Arthur.

Through stories of land, heritage, and migration, Montalto Estate forms part of the wider narrative connecting Ulster and America. Today, visitors can explore the Estate's historic surroundings, gardens and woodland trails while discovering the enduring connections between Northern Ireland and the United States.

In Belfast, the Ulster-Scots Visitor Centre delves deeper into the stories of the Ulster-Scots diaspora and their indelible mark on American identity, and at Titanic Belfast offers insight into the ship that carried thousands of emigrants - many with hopes of a new life in America.

Finally, a visit to PRONI (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland) allows you to explore your own heritage, with emigration records and family archives waiting to be uncovered.

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, Northern Ireland invites you to rediscover the shared stories that connect us across centuries and oceans.