Communities Minister has signed a historic
Memorandum of Understanding with the US Semiquincentennial
Commission at the Ulster American Folk Park.
The document was signed by Minister and America250 Commissioner
Joe Crowley and will ensure that Northern Ireland is the first
nation to receive special status in recognition of its unique
contribution to the foundation of the United States of America.
The Minister said: “I am honoured to have signed this
Memorandum of Understanding today, which grants Northern
Ireland special status in the United States' semiquincentennial
celebrations next year. The agreement cements the unique
relationship Northern Ireland has with the US and reflects a
shared vision to celebrate our historical connections.
“This is an exciting moment to promote our historical and
ongoing cultural, economic and heritage connections and look to
future collaboration with the United States.”
The Minister recently launched the USA-NI250 Fund which will
provide financial support for a wide range of celebratory
projects including community events, cultural exhibitions,
educational programmes and storytelling to reflect the shared
history and links between Northern Ireland and the United States.
Minster Lyons continued: “Through the USA-NI250 Fund
organisations can apply for contributions to fund their
celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of
Independence and linkages to Signatories, Presidents and those
with ancestral roots to Northern Ireland and the wider province
of Ulster.
“Those opportunities are further underpinned by the
importance of the wider story of emigration from Ulster to North
America over the past 250 years, and by a commitment to embedding
legacy and how the spirit and resilience that contributed to
building the USA can continue to be supported in the future
including marking other significant anniversaries.”
America250 Commissioner Joe Crowley said: “It is an honor to sign
this Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the United States
Semiquincentennial Commission."
“Northern Ireland's connection to the American story runs deep
and this agreement marks a new chapter in our enduring
relationship.”
America250 Executive Vice President Jen Condon said: “This
partnership reflects the deep and lasting bonds between Northern
Ireland and the United States.
“As we prepare to commemorate America's 250th anniversary, we are
proud to recognize Northern Ireland's special role in our
nation's story and to collaborate on meaningful ways to bring
that story to life for people on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive at National Museums NI said: “We
were delighted to host today's signing at the Ulster American
Folk Park - a place that explores US-NI connections through
the stories of emigration from Ulster to North America.
"Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Folk Park, and
alongside the US250 events, it represents a special opportunity
to showcase the history, traditions and culture that continue to
link our communities across the Atlantic."
During the two-day visit to Northern Ireland, Minister Lyons
showed the US delegation around various locations with links to
the USA including Parliament Buildings, the Public Record Office
of Northern Ireland (PRONI) and the Ulster-Scots Agency.
They finished their trip to NI with a visit to the Ulster
American Folk Park in Omagh where Commissioner Joe Crowley and
Executive Vice President Jen Condon retraced the journey of
Ulster people's emigration to North America in the 18th and 19th
centuries, including the hardships endured on the journey and the
pioneering spirit of building new lives in a new land.
There, the Minister and Commissioner planted a commemorative tree
to mark the anniversary.
Notes to editors:
- The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission was established by
Congress in 2016 to provide for the observance and commemoration
of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of
Independence.
