From presidents to hillbillies, Northern Ireland wants more recognition in the US

The US celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence from Britain next year and Northern Ireland wants pride of place at the party. From Charles Thomson, the founding father who designed the Great Seal of the United States, to vice-president JD Vance, a self-proclaimed “Scots-Irish hillbilly at heart”, Americans who trace their lineage to Northern Ireland have helped shape the world’s most powerful nation. Politicians, cultural and business leaders in Northern Ireland believe it is now time for that shared heritage to receive greater recognition. Communities minister Gordon Lyons says he has secured a deal granting the region “special status” at the June 2026 commemorations — through cultural exchanges and events. Historically, Northern Ireland’s influence on America has played second fiddle to that of émigrés from what is now the Republic of Ireland, including the likes of Walt Disney and Henry Ford. Nearly 2mn people fled to the US amid Ireland’s 19th-century famine. Their des

The US celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence from Britain next year and Northern Ireland wants pride of place at the party. From Charles Thomson, the founding father who designed the Great Seal of the United States, to vice-president JD Vance, a self-proclaimed “Scots-Irish hillbilly at heart”, Americans who trace their lineage to Northern Ireland have helped shape the world’s most powerful nation. Politicians, cultural and business leaders in Northern Ireland believe it is now time for that shared heritage to receive greater recognition. Communities minister Gordon Lyons says h