Council urged to explore Strabane's American links for July 4 celebration

DERRY City and Strabane District Council has been asked to explore opportunities next year to celebrate the rich heritage Strabane has with America.

John Dunlap, who printed the first copies of the United States Declaration of Independence and was one of the most successful Irish/American printers of his era, was born at Meetinghouse Street in Strabane, while President Woodrow Wilson's forefathers also lived locally.

The Wilson’s ancestral house at Dergalt was the home of James Wilson, grandfather of President Wilson, the 28th President of the United States of America.

The house, owned by the Ulster American Folk Park, is maintained in its original setting in the townland of Dergalt, two miles outside of the town on road to Plumbridge.

Sinn Féin councillor, Brian Harte, believes the town has a "unique story to tell" and this could be marked with events in the town for July 4 -Independence Day.

At a meeting of the local authority's Business and Culture committee, of which he is the chair, he proposed that: "Council officers explore the possibility of working with other stakeholders to arrange a celebration in Strabane for the 4th of July."

"Strabane has a rich heritage with its connection with America in particular with John Dunlap who was responsible for printing the Declaration of Independence," he said.

"In the current climate with budgetary constraints and cutbacks, I would like if possible that there's no cost to the ratepayer and for council officers to explore through various channels, working with Strabane BID, the National Trust, the museums and also possible business sponsorship.

"There is a number of American companies in the region so maybe we could pull in something like that.

"I'm asking for council officers to explore some avenues in this regard."

Council's head of culture, Aeidin McCarter, said she was happy to explore the issue and bring back a report to a future meeting.

The SDLP's Shauna Cusack seconded the proposal.

"We've got a very rich Irish and British diaspora in the States," she said. "At the weekend there was a lot of tourists and I had the pleasure of meeting a few and speaking to them.

"They were absolutely overwhelmed with Derry and the places they had visited within the country; the friendliness, the history and the difficult political situation too - they had a great interest in that too.

"I think it's only right that we tap into that especially when it comes to looking for investment and increasing our tourism capacity, that we do celebrate the 4th of July and the relationship that we have with the States.

"I'm happy to support that (proposal) and second it but with the addition that it doesn't come as a burden to the ratepayer."

Independent city councillor, Gary Donnelly, commented whilst many people will celebrate July 4 and see its as a positive, it's important to remember the effect "on the indigenous, the First Nation people, of what is now the US and the genocide which was acted out against them."