Irish America will play a vital role as the United States prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
These events highlight the enduring bonds between Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the United States, rooted in history and heritage. From major international celebrations in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., to locally supported programs in Northern Ireland, IrishAmerica250 offers many opportunities to reflect on and celebrate this historic milestone.
Upcoming Events
January 14, 2026| Villanova University, PA
Friendly Sons and Daughters of Saint Patrick
Tribute to Stephen Moylan, former aide-de-camp to General George Washington and the first person according to historians to use the phrase ” The United States of America” in a letter Washington’s private secretary Joseph Reed dated January 2 1776. Born in Cork, Moylan would got on to serve numerous roles during the Revolution including 2nd Quartermaster General, Commander of the Fourth Continental Light Dragoons, and Commander of the Cavalry of the Continental Army.
See more at FriendlySonsAndDaughters.com.
January 17, 2026| Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Springfield, MA
Tribute to General Henry Knox, who brought his Noble Train of Artillery from Fort Ticonderoga, to lift the British siege of Boston. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/guns-ticonderoga
January 30, 2026 | Tribute to Stephen Moylan, Cork, Ireland
The Taoiseach is among the dignitaries invited to attend.
February 1, 2026| St Brigid’s Day
Tribute to unsung Irish-American women of the past 250 years
February 4,2026| Georgetown University, Global Irish Studies
Bridging the Atlantic Annual Conference
February 13, 2026| First Public Reading of “Irish America” by reknowned Irish poet Micheal O’Siadhail
American Irish Historical Society, New York
February 16, 2026| Make President’s Day Green
President’s Day – The Craic Starts Early
February 16, 2026| Wreath Laying, Arlington National Cemetery
Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) lay wreath at the tomb of President John F. Kennedy, Arlington National Cemetery
March 16, 2026 | Trinity Church, New York, NY
Wreath laying at the grave of Washington’s great spy, Hercules Mulligan
March 17, 2006| St Patrick’s Day
March 2026 | Philadelphia (to be confirmed)
Planning is underway for an event recognizing the Irish contribution to 1776.
June 11, 2026 | Mount Vernon, Virginia
Major celebration expected to host Ambassadors of international partners.
June 25-26, 2026| National
One Night in America – music, culture, recognition of unsung Irish American heroes and craic at hundreds of Irish pubs across America
July 2, 2026 | Philadelphia
Full sitting of Congress planned in Independence Hall.
July 4, 2026 | Washington, DC / Philadelphia / Boston / New York / Charleston
Anchor city events marking America’s 250th anniversary with nationwide celebrations.
Summer 2026| New York City
Heroes and Hooligans
Past Events
May 15, 2025 | Belfast, Northern Ireland
Ireland and America: 250th Anniversary Perspectives
Hosted by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) in partnership with the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland (VRTI), this event brought together leading experts—including Professor Ian McBride (Oxford), Dr Sophie Cooper (Queen’s University Belfast), Professor David Dickson (Trinity College Dublin), and Dr Patrick Fitzgerald (Mellon Centre for Migration Studies)—to explore the deep historical connections between Ireland and America revealed through archival records. Chaired by Joel Herman (Trinity College Dublin), the panel offered fresh insights into the intertwined histories shaping both nations as they approach the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Watch the video on PRONI’s YouTube Channel.
October 3 | Onboard The Battleship New Jersey
Celebration of the US Navy’s 250th Anniversary and Commodore John Barry
October 9 – 16 & November 10, 2025 | Philadelphia
Navy and Marine Corps 250th Celebration
Commodore John Barry, born in Wexford, was the first commissioned officer of the U.S. Navy.
See more at Homecoming250.org.
IrishAmerica250.org 