Memorial to the Emigrants
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The monument at Larne's Curran Park was designed to represent a typical Ulster family about to set out on the journey across the Atlantic. The central figure of the father has his arms around his wife and son in a protective gesture, while the mother carries the family Bible to symbolise not only the importance of their faith to these 18th century emigrants but also that often the family tree and other documents were contained within the leaves of this precious book. The boy, carrying his shoes so as not to wear out the leather, also has a small bag containing his belongings. An added little feature for our feathered friends is that one of the shoes has been created as a bird bath! |
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The monument, cast in bronze, was designed on the advice of the Ulster-American Committee by sculptor Ed Barton and was unveiled in May 1992 by an American Professor, Dr. Bobby Moss of Blacksburg, South Carolina, an acknowledged expert on the role of the Ulster Scots in the American Revolution. The memorial tablet carries the statement from the Tyrone poet and cleric W. F. Marshall, that no other race in the United States can provide a roll so long and so shining with honour than can the Ulster Scots.
Set in the natural beauty and quiet of the Curran Park, the monument has been an attraction for thousands of visitors since it was unveiled. The flags of Ulster, the United Kingdom and the United States of America constantly fly there as a reminder of the strong connections between our two countries, forged by thousands of ordinary men and women from Ulster.
The Ulster-American Heritage Trail can mark but some of the sites associated with our area and the United States. The real strength of the connection, however, lies in the hearts of those on both sides of the Atlantic who recall with pride the part played by those of Ulster stock who helped to make America great...
How to find the monument
