Ministerial Oral Statement: Visit to the United States

Date published: 24 March 2026

My goal was a simple one: to highlight the remarkable connection that exists between Northern Ireland and the United States and in doing so bring benefit to our people.

This year, we have a unique opportunity to do just that.

The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence represents not only a milestone for our American friends but also a chance for us to shine a light on our shared history, our enduring cultural connections, and the immense contributions made by people from this part of the world to the founding and shaping of the United States.

Mr Speaker, I believe that relationships develop and grow because of commonalities: the connections we share, the traits and attributes that define us, and the ties that bind us together.

For us, those ties run deep and reach back hundreds of years. They are woven through the stories of 250,000 resilient Ulster Scots who, in the 18th century, left our familiar shores with little more than their determination, drive, and Christian faith.

As a result, the Ulster-Scots legacy in America is vast and deep. More than 25 million Americans today identify as Scots-Irish or of Ulster-Scots descent. Their forebears brought with them values of hard work, independence, faith, and a fierce commitment to liberty.

As America marks this historic anniversary, it is essential that we tell our story proudly and with purpose: to strengthen tourism, cultural exchange, and economic ties.

My visit began in Savannah, Georgia, a city with particularly strong historical links to early Ulster-Scots settlers. In the 1730s and beyond, many from Ulster arrived in the region, helping to establish settlements such as Queensborough and contributing significantly to the agricultural, religious, and community life of colonial Georgia.

At Georgia Southern University I presented a copy of the Newsletter from the 18^th century that highlighted the passenger ships that were sailing from Belfast and Larne to Savannah. I also spoke about the impact of Ulster’s settlers on that community, and encouraged people think of their own ancestry and the opportunity to explore more by visiting Northern Ireland, and particularly the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. I also welcomed the opportunity to meet local Congressman Buddy Carter to again emphasise the role of people from Ulster. 

We discussed how this shared heritage continues to foster goodwill and mutual understanding between our peoples, and how events, exhibitions, and storytelling can bring more visitors from the American South to experience Northern Ireland's landscapes, festivals, and rich culture.

From Georgia, I travelled to Washington DC for a series of events, including at the UK embassy, The US Capitol and the White House.

At this time of year, Northern Ireland enjoys unparalleled access to senior US political and business leaders, and it was right that we engaged and took the opportunity to turn up, stand up and speak up for Northern Ireland.

Each of these occasions allowed me, alongside the deputy First Minister, to speak about investment opportunities and the unique appeal of our region as a destination for heritage tourism rooted in transatlantic stories.

A particularly moving part of the visit was our time at Arlington National Cemetery. There, I laid a wreath at the grave of Field Marshal Sir John Greer Dill, the distinguished Lurgan-born military leader who served as Chief of the British Joint Staff Mission in Washington during the Second World War. His close collaboration with American counterparts, including General George Marshall, helped forge and sustain the Anglo-American alliance at one of its most critical moments. Standing in that place of solemn remembrance, surrounded by the graves of so many who served freedom, was a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made across generations and the unbreakable bonds that tie our nations together.

On Wednesday evening I was privileged to co-host a special reception with the America250 Commission on Capitol Hill. Over 250 distinguished guests attended, including senior politicians from both sides of the House and Senate, business leaders, cultural figures, and representatives of the diaspora. Among them was former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, along with other commissioners and key influencers. The event overlooked the Houses of Congress, providing a fitting backdrop to celebrate the Ulster-American connection.

In my speech that evening, I outlined the extraordinary role played by early Ulster-Scots in the birth of the United States. I highlighted figures such as John Dunlap, born in Strabane, County Tyrone, who, as the official printer to the Continental Congress, worked through the night of 4 July 1776 to produce the first broadside copies of the Declaration of Independence—copies that were distributed far and wide.

I also spoke of Charles Thomson, born near Gorteade, Upperlands, County Londonderry, who served as Secretary to the Continental Congress for 15 years. Thomson's hand certified the document; his name appears alongside John Hancock's on the original printed declaration, and he personally delivered the news to George Washington that Congress had chosen him as the nation's first President.

The reception was not just about looking back—it was about looking forward.

During the event, I said:

“Over 250 years ago, America provided opportunities for people from Ulster.

Tonight, we say to our friends in America: Northern Ireland is a place of opportunity for you.

We offer a friendly welcome, stunning scenery, an opportunity to discover your heritage, and a much easier journey than the one your ancestors endured!

Come and discover your roots. Come and invest in a place of innovation, creativity, and peace. Come and strengthen the bonds of kinship that have already shaped two great nations.

Mr Speaker, that was my message to those in the room that night, but it was also the message I shared on media throughout the week to US media organisations, including to 8 million people in the New York media market, who carried a promotional feature on my work in this area live during the St Patrick’s Day Parade coverage.

That is real stand out and promotion for Northern Ireland. 

It demonstrates that turning up can make a difference. 

But that is not all. 

Today I am pleased to announce that, building on excellent cooperation with institutions such as the Library of Congress, I have secured the loan of key historical records for display here in Northern Ireland. These include an original printed Declaration of Independence and a letter from Charles Thomson as well as other historical documents relating to Northern Ireland. 

These documents will allow our citizens, schoolchildren, and visitors to see tangible evidence of how intertwined our histories have been for over two and a half centuries. This will form part of a broader programme of commemorative activities this year, supported by funding I have allocated for local projects that highlight Ulster-Scots and shared contributions to American independence. I am particularly looking forward to a major new exhibition this autumn, to be hosted by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland showcasing original historical documents including those on loan from US institutions. 

The US audience are a core constituency for PRONI and these developments will help drive footfall for roots tourism and enable closer collaborative working with the US National Archives and the Library of Congress.

Mr Speaker, this visit has reinforced my conviction that relationships matter. Personal connections, shared stories, and mutual respect build trust, open doors, and create opportunities that last. In an increasingly global world, Northern Ireland must never miss a chance to tell our story—one of resilience, creativity, innovation, and deep historical links. By celebrating the Ulster-Scots role in America's founding, we not only honour our forebears but also position Northern Ireland as a compelling destination for heritage tourism, a welcoming place for investment, and a partner of choice for cultural and economic collaboration.

The ties between Ulster and America have never been stronger. As the US moves into the heart of America250 celebrations, let us seize this moment to showcase what makes Northern Ireland special: our people, our history, and our bright future.

I commend this statement to the Assembly.