The 4^th of July : Ireland’s connection

Every July 4th, the skies over the United States light up in brilliant color. Families gather, communities celebrate, and fireworks crackle in honor of a day that changed history—the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It’s a day most Americans hold dear, symbolizing freedom, resilience, and the birth of a nation.

But for those of us in Ireland—or with Irish roots—the 4th of July carries a more personal resonance than many might realize.

The story of American independence is not just an American story—it’s a global one, and Ireland has always been quietly woven into its fabric.

Eight of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Irish birth or descent. Among them were James Smith, born in Ulster, and Matthew Thornton, who emigrated from Derry as a child. These men stood at the heart of America’s founding, carrying with them the ideals—and often, the struggles—of the Irish experience.

Irish immigrants and soldiers played vital roles in the Revolutionary War. Many saw in America’s fight their own longing for self-determination, something Ireland would not achieve for centuries to come. For them, the revolution wasn’t just about a new nation—it was about the universal right to freedom.

By the mid-19th century, waves of Irish immigrants crossed the Atlantic during and after the Great Famine, settling across the U.S. and becoming part of the nation’s evolving identity. They brought music, labor, culture, and community—and helped shape the America that celebrates its independence today.

For the millions of Irish-Americans now living across the United States (over 30 million, by some estimates), the 4th of July is both a national holiday and a personal one. It’s a celebration of country—but also of contribution, sacrifice, and heritage.

Though we may be an ocean apart, Ireland and America remain deeply connected—through ancestry, through shared stories, and through the enduring belief that freedom matters.

So this 4th of July, while fireworks blaze in American skies, we in Ireland can also take a quiet moment of pride. For the Irish names in the history books. For the immigrants who built new lives. For the enduring bond between our small island and one of the world’s great nations, happy 4^th of July, from all of us here at Connemara Marble Jewelry and Gifts.