An American Presidents' Trail across the island of Ireland could open as soon as this summer, Fine Gael TD Edward Timmins said on March 1.
TD Timmins, who proposed the initiative last year, explained that “almost half of all American Presidents have Irish roots – around 23 in total – and many of those connections lead back to communities in every corner of Ireland.”
“There’s a huge story here, and the American Presidents Trail across our island is a chance to tell it properly," the Wicklow TD said.
“This is a great opportunity to celebrate Ireland and the United States’ shared heritage, while encouraging tourists to explore towns and villages they never normally would."
🇮🇪🇺🇸 Ireland and the United States share a unique bond.
That’s why @EdwardTimmins_1 wants to create an American Presidents Trail, where all 23 presidents with roots in Ireland will be celebrated in the relevant counties.
For more: https://t.co/arebjKarPg pic.twitter.com/Kl7YVaEb2C
— Fine Gael (@FineGael) March 1, 2026
"Ancestral roots" of US Presidents across the island of Ireland
Timmins noted that he has been working with TD Patrick O’Donovan, Ireland's Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media, to advance the project.
When Timmins asked for an update on his proposal in the Dáil in January, O'Donovan said the project was being examined as part of the America250 Programme, a collaboration between his Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
"One of the aims of this programme is to acknowledge the significant role of Irish emigrants and those of Irish descent in the formation of the United States of America," O'Donovan told Timmins in the Dáil.
"The American President’s Trail could contribute to the programme by highlighting the numerous American Presidents, many of which have engaging and noteworthy stories, that have their ancestral roots in communities around the island of Ireland."
O'Donovan said his Department had had "positive engagement" with the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland, "who are essential partners due to the all-island nature of the trail," as well as "initial positive responses from our relevant local authorities."
"Deepen Ireland’s historic ties with America"
Timmins has produced a US Presidents ‘Road Map’ identifying key counties linked to various US Presidents, stretching from Antrim to Offaly, Wexford, Mayo, and beyond.
Senior officials are now working with local councils to identify designated locations. It is proposed that a physical marker of a native tree and an information panel at the numerous sites will be the beginning of the project, and that a coordinated tree planting ceremony may take place in July 2026.
Timmins said on March 1 that the project is "a unique opportunity to deepen Ireland’s historic ties with America while also boosting tourism right across the island."
He noted that it is hoped that Minister O'Donovan can secure further progress on delivering the project this summer as he visits Georgia in the US this month for St. Patrick's Day engagements.
Timmins added: “With the 250th anniversary just four months away, I’m very encouraged by the momentum behind this project.
"There is a real commitment from officials and local authorities, and I’m hopeful that significant progress will be made in time for the commemorations."
Comments