Lyons: Memorandum of Understanding with the US cements unique relationship with Northern Ireland

Date published: 4 November 2025

The document was signed by Minister Gordon Lyons 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 250^th 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,” said Joe Crowley, Commissioner of America250.

“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.