The Americans are coming!

During World War II, Americans came to Northern Ireland in huge numbers as military personnel who trained for D-Day, protected the trans-Atlantic convoys, and refuelled and ferried aircraft to forward combat bases. This July, Americans are on their way back.

  This time, they are returning to explore their Ulster-Scots heritage. Texan Glen Pratt, of the Ulster-Scots Society of America, is pleased to announce that an Ulster-Scots heritage tour has been successfully formed and the group will be arriving in Belfast on July 2 and travelling throughout Northern Ireland until July 14.

  "The people of Northern Ireland are already opening their arms to us. I want to thank all the local Ulster-Scots heritage groups for their kind invitations to visit them and receive cultural presentations. This will really make the tour special with such a personal touch,"  says Glen. The group has been contacted by heritage organisations from Belfast, Down, Antrim, and Armagh.

  But Glen points out that the cultural exchange will not be one-way. "We will be joined by Mike and Fran Dahl, of Tennessee, historical re-enactors with the Overmountain Victory Trail Association, who will be available for presentations.

  Dressed in period attire, they render a spell-binding telling of the predominantly Scots-Irish Overmountain Men's victory over the loyalists at the Battle of Kings Mountain, South Carolina in October 1780 which ultimately led to the surrender of Lord Charles Cornwallis, securing America's bid for independence."

  After making a presentation during this year's Reivers Festival, the Dahls will visit the home and grave of Ulster-born South Carolina loyalist and Kings Mountain veteran Alexander Chesney, who later settled near Kilkeel, bringing this one tale of Ulster-American connections full circle.

  Glen also emphasises another Ulster-American connection coming full circle regarding those many American troops who were here over 60 years ago.

  "I have been contacted by old American soldiers once stationed at training bases in Newry, Markethill, and Armagh during World War II, who wish me to extend their appreciation to the people of Northern Ireland for their kindness, hospitality, and support during the war years. They have recounted fond memories of their time in Northern Ireland before entering combat in France," adds Glen.

Close trans-Atlantic ties...

One veteran put it this way: "The co-operation of the British was wonderful. They really went out of their way to make us feel as comfortable as possible. They opened their homes and hearts to us. It really made a difference to a young boy about to go
to war."

  Glen says these messages of thanks make Kilkeel's Reivers Festival emphasis this year on World War II Yanks in the Mournes all the more meaningful.

  Americans are fascinated with Ulster-Scots/American connections of all kinds, especially their own roots. "Genealogical research is a highly-requested activity by tour participants," says Glen Pratt.

  To track down individual connections with Ulster, the group will attend a genealogy workshop conducted by the Ulster Historical Foundation followed by "hands-on digging" in the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland.

  Pratt believes this tour will be the beginning of a new tourism movement - Ulster-Scots cultural tourism to Northern Ireland. "Many inquirers have expressed their frustration at the lack of tourism opportunities, particularly group tours with a heritage orientation, focused on Northern Ireland.

  "However, feed-back from tour inquirers demonstrates quite clearly that there is a market for Ulster-Scots cultural tourism from the United States. waiting to be tapped."

  Glen adds: "Though our first contingent is quite small, I am confident that this new initiative will grow from this starting point. There will be more tours. This is only the beginning."

  Pratt says there is still time for people to join the tour. Flexibility with arrival and departure dates have been added to make it easier for travellers to attend. Participants can customise their tour to a degree by picking their own arrival dates of either July 2, 3, or 4 and their own departure dates of July 13, 14, or 15. He adds that "locals" from the U.K., Republic of Ireland, or elsewhere are welcome to attend all or part of the tour.