Immersive ancestral cottage trail aims to bring international visitors to Mid and East Antrim

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon launches the council’s part of the ‘Immersive Ancestral Cottage Trail’ with Robert Stewart at its President Arthur Homestead in Cullybackey.

Mid and East Antrim is set to play a central role in a new international tourism initiative designed to strengthen historic links between Northern Ireland and the United States while attracting visitors from around the world to local heritage sites.

A new immersive ancestral cottage trail bringing together five significant family homesteads across Northern Ireland has been launched to showcase the stories of ordinary Ulster families whose descendants went on to shape American history.

The initiative places two Mid and East Antrim attractions at the heart of the experience — the President Arthur Homestead in Cullybackey and the Andrew Jackson Cottage in Carrickfergus — as part of a wider cross-council collaboration aimed at capitalising on growing interest in ancestry tourism and Ulster-Scots heritage.

Celebrating Northern Ireland’s connections to America

The launch coincides with America 250, the celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.

Organisers say the trail offers visitors a new way to explore the deep historical, cultural and family connections that exist between Ulster and the United States through the stories of families whose descendants went on to become presidents, political leaders and influential figures in American life.

The project has been developed through a partnership involving Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Mid Ulster District Council and the Ulster American Folk Park.

The trail is expected to be promoted internationally to tour operators and visitors with an interest in genealogy, history, culture and heritage tourism.

Two Mid and East Antrim sites included in international promotion

The President Arthur Homestead in Cullybackey commemorates the ancestral roots of the family of President Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States.

Meanwhile, the Andrew Jackson Cottage in Carrickfergus celebrates the local connections of the family of President Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States.

Both sites will feature alongside three other important heritage locations on the route:

• Pogue’s Entry Historical Cottage in Antrim

• U.S. Grant Ancestral Homestead in Dungannon

• The Mellon Homestead at the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh

Together, the five locations aim to tell the wider story of emigration from Ulster and the lasting influence of those communities across the Atlantic.

Living history experiences planned for visitors

As well as exploring the cottages themselves, visitors will be able to take part in a range of interactive experiences designed to bring local history to life.

These will include storytelling sessions, traditional griddle baking demonstrations and traditional music workshops intended to immerse visitors in the culture and traditions of the families who once lived in the region.

The initiative reflects the growing popularity of experiential tourism, where visitors seek authentic local experiences and personal connections with the places they visit.

Mayor welcomes tourism opportunity

Welcoming the launch, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, said the borough’s inclusion in the trail would help strengthen links with visitors from overseas while highlighting the area’s rich heritage assets.

He said:

“Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is delighted to strengthen the links between our presidential homesteads in Cullybackey and Carrickfergus with other important ancestral cottages across Northern Ireland.

“With growing interest from American visitors, as well as those interested in culture and history, this collaborative approach will allow visitors to discover our rich heritage and connect with the compelling local stories in each cottage through authentic experiences.

“We remain committed to working in partnership to further develop our tourism potential and attract new visitors to the Borough.

“We are proud to launch this exciting addition to our tourism offering and look forward to welcoming visitors from across the world to experience our stories, heritage and connections that make this region so special.”

Growing interest in ancestry tourism

The launch comes as ancestry and heritage tourism continues to grow internationally, particularly among visitors from North America seeking to trace family roots and explore places connected to their ancestors.

By combining sites across several council areas into a single visitor experience, organisers hope the trail will encourage longer stays and wider exploration of Northern Ireland’s towns, villages and heritage attractions.

For Mid and East Antrim, the inclusion of the President Arthur Homestead and Andrew Jackson Cottage provides another opportunity to showcase local history on an international stage while attracting new visitors and investment into the local tourism economy.

Further information on the trail is available at www.ancestralcottagestrailni.com.