Events

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

March 7, 2026| Atlanta, Hibernian Society of Atlanta Event

March 14, 2026| Address on Irish America 250 by Taoiseach Micheal Martin| Villanova University
Villanova University’s Center for Irish Studies Hosts Taoiseach, Marking 250 Years Since America’s Founding.

March 14, 2026| Remarks by the Taoiseach to Friendly Sons and Daughters of Philadelphia

March 15, 2026| Irish Embassy Reception, Washington D.C

March 16, 2026 | Georgetown University
The Washington Forum on Northern Ireland, Monday, March 16, 2026, Georgetown University

March 17, 2006| St Patrick’s Day

March 16, 2026| American Ireland Fund Gala, Washington D.C.

March 17, 2026| Northern Ireland Bureau Breakfast, Union Station Washington D.C.

March 17, 2026| As Hoc Committee to Protect the GFA meets with Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hillary Benn

March 17, 2026| White House Shamrock Bowl Reception

March 18, 2026| British Ambassador’s Saint Patrick Day Breakfast

March 18, 2026| Northern Ireland 250th Anniversary Event with Deputy First Minister Emma Pengelly

June 11, 2026 | Mount Vernon, Virginia
Major celebration expected to host Ambassadors of international partners.

July 1| National
One Night in America, A Toast to America – Music, culture and recognition of unsung Irish American heroes with all the craic at Irish pubs and Irish cultural centers 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

Future Events

Tribute to Irish Americans in the United States Military
Nashville Concert: The Irish Roots of American Music
Great Irish American Women list released

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.

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

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
An annual transatlantic policy symposium, featuring diplomats, lawmakers, and more.
Bridging the Atlantic VII | Global Irish Studies | Georgetown University

February 8, 2026 | Tribute to Stephen Moylan, Cork, Ireland
The Taoiseach is among the dignitaries invited to attend.

February 10, 2026| Ireland and America: A Conversation with Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Orlando, Florida
In collaboration with the University of Central Florida, Irish America 250 will host a luncheon with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern discussing Ireland and America and our shared journey from the past and into the future.

February 11, 2026| Lessons of the Good Friday Agreement: Bertie Ahern on Ending Conflict and Preserving Peace,UCF, Orlando

Speaker: Bertie Ahern, Former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 3:00 – 4:30 PM EST
Student Union – Pegasus Ballroom
1 Central Florida Blvd,
Orlando, FL 32816
RSVP Here

February 16, 2026| Wreath Laying, Arlington National Cemetery
Irish America 250 and the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) will lay a wreath at the tomb of President John F. Kennedy, Arlington National Cemetery .

February 16, 2016 – President’s Day: Tribute to Niall O’Dowd, author of “George Washington and the Irish” & the first public reading of “Irish America 250 ” by renowned Irish poet Micheal O’Siadhail

February 16, 2026| Presidents Day Tribute to Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, Theordore Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy
Wreaths will laid at the graves of these four great Irish American Presidents. President Andrew Jackson, buried in Nashville Tennessee, Scots-Irish President and hero of the battle of New Orleans.

February 16, 2026 President Day Tribute – Hercules Mulligan Wreath laying at the grave of Washington’s great spy, Hercules Mulligan. Trinity Church, New York, NY

February 16, 2026| Presidents Day Toast – Livestream
Livestream of Presidents Day Toast at each of the establishments below.Presentation of the U.S. and Irish flags in each city. Music and Entertainment.

February 16, 2026 | President Day
Atlanta, Georgia
Thomas O’Reilly Public House
227 Sandy Springs Place, Sandy Springs

Columbia, South Carolina
O’Hara’s Public House
131 East Main St. Lexington South Carolina

Nashville, Tennessee
The Lost Paddy Pub
715 Spence Lane Nashville, Tennessee

February 21, 2026| Soldiers and Sailors Monument Public Square Downtown Cleveland, Ohio
On Saturday February 21, 2026 at Noon, the Cleveland Irish Community will be Celebrating President’s Day with a Presentation of the 23 Presidents of Irish Heritage at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument Public Square Downtown Cleveland. The Monument was dedicated by William McKinley when he was Governor of Ohio. There are 4 Presidents depicted in the Monument. For more information email memadigan@gmail.com

February 26, 2026| Solas Nua Capital Irish Film Festival
https://www.solasnua.org/events/2026-capital-irish-film-festival-february-26-march-1-2026

February 26, 2026 Chicago Irish Film Festival
https://chicagoirishfilmfestival.com/

February 28, 2026 | Scots- Irish Music, Decatur,GA