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Through emigration, Ulster people have made an impact across North America. Explore rural Ulster and the American frontier as you walk in the footsteps of the bold migrants who set sail for America. 

The Ulster American Folk Park tells the story of Ulster people’s emigration to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Learn more about lives left behind, the hardships endured on the journey and the pioneering spirit of building new lives in a new land.

Under The Hawthorn Tree animated image with three brown silhouettes under a green tree plus green text reading under the hawthorn tree

A family-friendly exhibition based on the children’s novel, Under the Hawthorn Tree, by bestselling Irish author, Marita Conlon-McKenna.

Under the Hawthorn Tree 

Discover the traditions of May Day at the Folk Park

May Day 

A photograph of the lush green Irish landscape with a river running through it. 

Learn more about the story of Thomas Mellon and migration

The Mellon Migration Story

Three women standing side-by-side in front of cream and green exhibition graphics saying 'Under the Hawthorn Tree.' The woman on the left wears glasses and her hair is straight - she is holding a book by the same name, in Irish. The woman in the middle also wears glasses and shoulder length hair, also holding a copy of her book (she is the author). The woman on the right as short styled hair, she is wearing a neck scarf and cream blazer and she poses with an English cover of the same book.

Under the Hawthorn Tree, a new, immersive exhibition inspired by one of Ireland’s most beloved children’s stories, has officially opened at the Ulster American Folk Park.

Classic Irish novel, Under the Hawthorn Tree, brought to life at Ulster American Folk Park

Folk Park Stories

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The Ulster American Folk Park strives to give a diverse range of perspectives on the story of migration from Ulster to North America, from the 18th century to the early 20th century. Learn more about our commitment.

Journey back in time

Spotlight

Under the Hawthorn Tree

May Day

The Mellon Migration Story

News

Classic Irish novel, Under the Hawthorn Tree, brought to life at Ulster American Folk Park

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