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4th of July Independence Day at Ulster American Folk Park
Attending the 4th of July Independence Day at Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, County Tyrone - Northern Ireland, and getting the chance to see how the old people of the 18th and 19th centuries used to live and used to create their crafts (
The Ulster American Folk Park is a park that was built in Northern Ireland to bring the story of the Irish Immigrants who left for America back in the old days, how they were able to get used to the changes, and to show the public the different crafts they used to make, the food they used to prepare and the techniques they followed in preparing them, as well as the way they used to dress (
On the 4th of July, which happens to be the Independence Day in America, the Ulster American Folk Park was celebrating and that was also the day we decided to visit the place. During this celebration, we walked through the streets found in the park along with the shops situated in them and entered those shops to find the sellers dressed in custom made clothes that give you the feeling that you have traveled back in time. We also entered some of the buildings which stand there from a long period of time, got the chance to enter the horse carts and rides place, saw some of the shows, and also were so excited about the crafts done there.
From the different crafts which we enjoyed seeing in the place, there was the professional old blacksmith who was doing things from wood in an easy way that made us feel like he was playing with clay. It was interesting to see the life of an old blacksmith and imagine how it all went back in the old days (
Along the long walk there and getting across those enjoying the celebration, we saw those juggling on a tricycle and juggling with one another, and those playing the sword swallowing and playing with the fire - we have come across those in different places and during different times, but isn't it always thrilling and eye-catching to watch such professional people every single time you manage to come across any of them? (
Enjoying the celebration and the day as a whole, we were so interested to see the shooting performances done there as well - the interesting thing was that most of those working there and doing the shows were old people (except the ones juggling and doing the sword swallowing shows of course) giving us the feeling that we are really watching those who have been living during the old days.
Actually this is believed to be true, that some of those working in the Ulster American Folk Park are also the ancestors of those people immigrating from Ireland to America.
The Ulster American Folk Park is considered an open air museum located just outside Omagh in county Tyrone, Northern Ireland. With more than 30 buildings to explore inside the place where one will know more about the Irish immigration, there are people dressed in costumed clothes and doing traditional crafts who will share their stories and will also give you the chance to eat the traditional food they have prepared in the old traditional ways.
Inside this open air museum, there are some old buildings which have been restored and opened for the public to come inside and explore them, such as the Mellon House, which is the birthplace of the Irish American banker and lawyer Thomas Mellon, the founding father of the Mellon banking dynasty. This house is placed in its original place, giving the visitors the chance to experience part of the history which they might heard about once before.
Since this is a park that combines between the Irish and the American histories, it was interesting to attend the celebration made in the place regarding the 4th of July Independence Day and which was the main reason why most of those shows were found - they are not usually there in the ordinary days.
There are several things one could do in Northern Ireland in addition to visiting the Ulster American Folk Park, such as heading to the Ulster Museum in Belfast ( or heading to the Ulster Transport Museum and checking what it has inside (
Don't you want to visit the Ulster American Folk Park and check its hidden gems? This park needs a whole day because of all the different things one will have to see inside along with the buildings which he/she will have to check, but it is a place that both adults and kids will enjoy visiting and spending their time at.
If you have been to the Ulster American Folk Park before, share your experience with us and if you have attended the 4th of July Independence Day there then tell us what did you enjoy the most about the place.
A place we definitely suggest when it comes to the attractions one will tend to see in Northern Ireland while visiting it; don't ever hesitate visiting this park.