New film tells 'extraordinary international story' of Cork-born American patriot 

“If you’re a northsider and you can’t trace yourself back to Blarney Street, I think you’re bluffing,” said Lord Mayor Damian Boylan, to laughter in the Rock Community Centre last week.

He was there to launch a DVD celebrating the life of Cork-born American patriot Stephen Moylan, the man credited with coining the phrase ‘The United States of America’.

“History isn’t only something that belongs in books and museums, it belongs in the streets and in the buildings and in the stories that one generation passes on to the next,” Mr Boylan said.

“And that’s what this community has done with Stephen Moylan. 

“You’ve taken someone with an extraordinary international story and reminded people that his story began here in Cork, and more importantly, on Blarney Street, where we all come from.”

Background 

Stephen Moylan was born on the longest residential street in Ireland in 1737, the son of a Catholic merchant from Shandon.

His older brother, Francis, went on to become bishop of Cork, and his other brother, John, would also serve 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.

In February of this year, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the then lord mayor Fergal Dennehy unveiled a commemorative plaque to Mr Moylan at the Blarney Street and Surrounding Areas Community Association at The Rock Community Centre.

With 2026 marking the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the event was supported by Irish America 250, a group set up to highlight the Irish contribution to America’s founding story.

At the ceremony, Mr Martin 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,” the Taoiseach said.

Speaking at last week’s DVD launch, Tom Coleman, chairperson of the Blarney Street and Surrounding Areas Community Association, said the association’s work over the past 46 years has only been possible thanks to the contributions of its members.

“We cater for 30 groups of people, and that’s a lot of people,” he said.

Mr Coleman later told The Echo he was especially proud that the filmmakers who had produced the DVD celebrating Stephen Moylan are his grandchildren, Emma and Thomas Coleman.