Cork man credited with naming 'United States of America' is honoured

The man credited with first writing down the phrase ‘The United States of America’ has been honoured on the Cork street where he was born nearly three centuries ago.

Stephen Moylan was born on Blarney St in 1737, the son of a well-off Catholic merchant on Shandon. His older brother Francis would become bishop of Cork, while his other brother, John, would serve with him in the American Revolutionary War.

Stephen moved to Philadelphia in 1768, where he founded the Friendly Sons - and later Daughters - of St Patrick, and in 1775 he joined the Continental Army, going on to become a general and serving as aide-to-camp to George Washington.

He raised a regiment - the 4th Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Moylan's Horse - and the troops would be noted for taking to the field in captured British uniforms, which they dyed green.

An important figure in American history, he is principally remembered today as the first person recorded to write down the words, ‘The United States of America’, in a letter dated January 2, 1776.

TAOISEACH

On Saturday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Fergal Dennehy, unveiled a commemorative plaque to Mr Moylan at the Blarney St and Surrounding Areas Community Association at the Rock Community Centre.

With this year marking the 250th birthday of the United States of America, Saturday’s event was supported by Irish America 250, a group set up to highlight the importance of the Irish contribution to America’s founding story.

The Taoiseach said Stephen Moylan was an early example and reminder of the significant contribution of the Irish diaspora to the United States.

“This is a living link, best expressed by the almost 10% of Americans today of Irish ancestry, and I was delighted to meet with many Irish-Americans who travelled to Cork especially for this event,” Mr Martin said.

The Lord Mayor said Stephen Moylan was “a beacon of the enduring transatlantic friendship between Ireland and America.

“Today we remember a Blarney Street man who served the cause of liberty.” 

Tom Coleman, chairperson of the Blarney St and Surrounding Areas Community Association, said Stephen Moylan connected the history of Blarney St to the founding history of the US.

Morgan O’Sullivan, of Irish America 250, said Stephen Moylan was remembered as a true patriot, “from his fighting for American independence, to his coining of the phrase the ‘United States of America’.”