Presenter Joe makes his 'Mahon's Way' to Dervock for final series which celebrates Ulster’s American connections
Mahon’s Way returns to UTV for what will be presenter Joe Mahon’s final series – and he’s making his way to Dervock.
Funded by the Northern Ireland Screen Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund (USBF), presenter Joe Mahon will once again take to the highways and byways of Ulster exploring its extraordinary variety of landscapes, heritage and history.
And, across ten culturally significant episodes, Joe will uncover an array of local places and people connected with the 250th anniversary of US Independence – such as the 25th President of the USA William McKinley whose great-great-grandfather, James McKinley, emigrated from Dervock in 1743.
“This time around we had a particular focus, which was to seek out stories that mark the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the American Declaration of Independence, and our producers and researchers have certainly provided us with a wealth of material,” explained Joe.
“It really is an eye-opener when you examine the sheer number of Ulster-Scots emigrants in particular who left this relatively tiny place in the 18th and 19th centuries, and would go on to play such key roles in the War of Independence and the founding of the fledgling United States of America.”
Well-known people like John Dunlap from Strabane who first printed the Declaration, and Charles Thomson from Maghera who was Secretary to the Continental Congress are celebrated alongside the Reverend William King from the Limavady area who founded the first settlement for freed slaves in Buxton, Ontario.
Mahon’s Way returns to UTV on Wednesday, September 30 at 7.30pm. The series will also be available to watch on ITVX.