Aghadowey chef Paula McIntyre on screen in projects marking 250th anniversary of USA’s Declaration of Independence
Aghadowey’s celebrity chef Paula McIntyre is playing a central role in slate of TV and digital projects to mark the 250th anniversary of USA’s Declaration of Independence.
Northern Ireland Screen’s Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund (USBF), in partnership with the Celtic Media Festival, hosted a special reception at Belfast City Hall recently to showcase a major slate of television and digital projects marking the 250th anniversary of the USA’s Declaration of Independence.
Guests were welcomed by the newly installed Lord Mayor, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly.
The event brought together broadcasters, producers, historians, creatives, civic representatives and international guests to explore the Ulster-Scots contribution to the founding and development of the United States.
The USA 250 slate is rolling out across 2025–2027, reflecting the historical, cultural and creative links between Ulster and the United States. Productions highlighted during the evening included the BBC Northern Ireland documentaries Declaration – The Road to Revolution and The Road to Democracy, as well as The Band series 4, produced by DoubleBand Films.
Other productions featured were How Sweet the Sound produced by Chapterhouse Films; UTV’s Mahon’s Way series 6 from Westway Film Productions; the GB News documentary series Architects of America produced by Féinics Productions; and NVTV productions Carrick to the Carolinas, Along Black River – The Witherspoon Chronicle and the forthcoming Amazing Ulster Americans series.
The event also highlighted educational multimedia projects including From Ulster to America produced by Educational Voice, America’s Ulster Story from the Nerve Centre, and The Ulster-Scots in America produced by Makematic.
The event also featured live music performances from Reuben and Benjamin Agnew and traditional piping from Grahame Harris.
Guests also had the opportunity to view a special USA-NI 250 exhibition developed in partnership with Ulster University.
Heidi McAlpin, Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund Manager at Northern Ireland Screen, added: “USA 250 is allowing us to tell stories that have often been overlooked, stories that show the scale of the Ulster-Scots contribution to the shaping of America, from politics and migration to music, culture and identity.
"Through the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund, it is especially exciting to see local producers, filmmakers and creatives bringing these stories to life for audiences here and internationally.”