USA 250: Ireland and the Making of America 

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776. In collaboration with EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, this exhibition has been created to highlight the significant contribution of Irish people to the founding and development of the United States. The exhibition explores how Irish immigrants played central roles as soldiers, political figures, and community leaders, as well as their broader impact on American culture, infrastructure, and public life.  

Key moments include:  

• Irish involvement in the American Revolutionary War, where it is estimated that one in four Continental Army soldiers were of Irish descent.  
• The contributions of Irish-born figures to pivotal events such as the signing and printing of the Declaration of Independence.  
• The ongoing legacy of Irish migration, from the Great Famine through to modern Irish American identity.