17/06/2026
Blue Plaque Unveiling - John Dunlap from Strabane, Printer of the US Declaration of Independence 🇺🇸💙🙂
Ulster-Scots Agency CEO, Ian Crozier, and Director of Development, David Gilliland, were delighted to be in Strabane this afternoon, as a prestigious Ulster History Circle Blue Plaque was unveiled in honour of John Dunlap, the Ulster-Scot who printed the US Declaration of Independence.
The unveiling took place at Gray’s Printing Press, Main Street, Strabane, where Dunlap worked as a junior printer before emigrating to America in 1757. The building is now owned and maintained by the National Trust as a site of important historic significance.
In addition to our CEO, other speakers at the event included Minister for Communities NI, Gordon Lyons MLA; Chris Spurr from the Ulster History Circle; Paul Roelle from the U.S. Consulate Belfast; and Cllr. Grace Uí Niallais, Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council.
As a boy, Dunlap was sent to Pennsylvania to work as an apprentice printer to his uncle, later taking over the business. Dunlap founded the Pennsylvania Packet in 1771, which later became the first daily newspaper of note in America 📰
Appointed printer to the Continental Congress, John Hancock, President of the Congress, asked Dunlap to print the declaration. He printed an estimated 200 broadsides – known as the Dunlap Broadsides – which were the first published versions of the declaration.
Shortly after the Declaration of Independence was signed, Dunlap’s printed copies were circulated throughout various states, and the first newspaper outside America to print the text was the Belfast News Letter 🗞️
In this very important year of commemoration and celebration, John Dunlap is remembered as one of the Ulster-Scots at the very centre of events which changed the world forever.
During the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we were delighted to provide financial support towards this very important tribute to an Ulster-Scots icon.
