Cork man with unique place in US history to be celebrated as part of Irish America 250

“Never has a nation so small inspired so much in another” – President Barrack Obama, Irish America 250

From conception to birth, and from maturation to development, the history of the people of Ireland and the United States have long been intertwined.

As the story below will unfold, it could well be argued that there would be no United States of America without the people of Cork.

It is with our unmistakable spirit that the people of Cork will play a prime role in launching the 250-year celebrations of the United States. Irish America 250 has set out to take the people of Ireland and the United States on this journey in 2026.

What started as a small conversation amongst like-minded individuals across the U.S back in April, has evolved into Irish America 250. This bipartisan organisation seeks to place the Irish at the heart of the America 250 celebrations and showcase the contributions of the Irish in America these last 250 years.

It is with that intent in mind that Irish America 250 will celebrate General Stephen Moylan on both sides of the Atlantic in January, 2026. He was a native son of Cork, born in 1737, and his family had a business on Kyrls Quay. His brother Francis would ultimately prove to be more well-known at home, by becoming the Bishop of Cork and playing a prime role in aiding Nano Nagle upon her arrival in Cork city.

After his education in France, Stephen Moylan would go on to be an aide de camp to George Washington in the American revolutionary war. What makes Moylan stand apart from all other Irish Americans is that he is credited with being the first person to use the phrase the “United States of America” in a letter written on January 2, 1776, a full six months before the Declaration of Independence. And with that he will forever be recognised in the annals of American history, and as his story becomes more well known, as a true Cork legend.

Villanova University in Philadelphia, so often synonymous with athletes such as Eamon Coughlan, Ronnie Delaney, and our own Marcus O’Sullivan and Sonia O’Sullivan, will host a celebratory event for Stephen Moylan on January 14.

He was also the first president of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St Patrick, and it is the modern incarnation of this organisation, The Society of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St Patrick, with Irish America 250 that will celebrate Moylan at Villanova.

Cork’s own Dave McGilton has composed Philadelphia Fields: The Ballad Of Stephen Moylan which will be played, with remarks by the Cork Lord Mayor also set to be shared at the event. The Ballad Of Stephen Moylan has impressed so many that it was even sent on to the management of Philadelphia’s famous son Bruce Springsteen to listen to.

Not to be outdone, Cork City Council has collaborated with Irish America 250 to develop a similar recognition for Moylan. In-depth research of archives and records has identified his birthplace as being on Blarney Street, and the City Council plans to unveil a plaque there on January 30. Various dignitaries from a U.S and Irish dimension are likely to be invited.

The year ahead affords the Irish at home and in the US an opportunity to acknowledge the role played by the Irish in the events of 1776, but also our vast contribution to American culture and society in the 250 years since.

Irish America 250 has big plans that continue to grow on a daily basis. As a group that came together in April, it quickly gained support from the Irish government, Northern Ireland Executive, U.S Congressmen, Governors, and prominent Irish Americans.

A prime initiative that the group is seeking to build is the development of unsung Irish American heroes, with a goal to have commemorative plaques placed around the U.S recognising these individuals. Stephen Moylan is the first.

On February 1, St Brigid’s Day will be celebrated at home, but it will also be the day that Irish America recognises the role of the most heroic Irish American women of the last 250 years. From Matilda Tone (wife of Wolfe Tone) to Cork native Mother Jones (born 100 years after Moylan) and all the way to Eileen Collins the first female pilot of the Space Shuttle, Irish women will be recognised at the highest level from one of the earliest points of the year.

February 4 will see Georgetown University launch its Global Irish Studies Bridging the Atlantic Series. February 16 marks Presidents Day in the U.S and 24 presidents have claimed Irish lineage. Irish America 250 will be hosting events at a number of select locations around the U.S to recognise what will be titled ‘Making Presidents Day Green’.

March will kick off a whole series of events. The oldest St Patrick’s Day parade in the world was held on March 17, 1601, in St Augustine, Florida, and this day will be strongly celebrated in 2026.

The goal of Irish America 250 is to race into the new year before all other cultural organisations in the U.S, with a goal to placing the Irish at the centre of all celebrations.

March is the traditional month when the Irish take over the various Irish cities around the world, and 2026 will be no different in America.

Later in the year, a night celebrating Irish music, poetry and culture titled ‘One Night in America’ is planned for the week before July 4.

With a large Irish concert planned at the home of country music in the Grand Old Opry in Nashville next autumn, Irish America 250 will have a busy year of adventures ahead.

It gives credence to the phrase that ‘we were there at the beginning’ in 1776, but we are still there today.

• Morgan O’Sullivan, a native of Blackrock, Cork, and graduate of UCC, is Chief of Operations of Irish America 250. All questions relating to it can be submitted to info@irishamerica250.org. See http://irishamerica250.org