The Scotch-Irish Society of the United States of America was founded in 1889 to promote and preserve the history and culture of America’s Scotch-Irish heritage and to keep alive the esprit de corps of the Scotch-Irish people.
The transatlantic migrations of the Ulster Scots began around 1684 and became heavy after 1718. They had sailed from ports in Ulster, the northern province of Ireland, but their language and customs were manifestly not Irish: one could still recognize the signs of their migration from Scotland earlier in the seventeenth century: the name Scotch-Irish was coined for these people, and is borne with pride. The migrations have continued to this day.
The contributions of the Scotch-Irish to American culture include their political and legal philosophy, language and literature, education, religion, material culture, and music. They led the way westward, and opened up vast tracts of frontier wilderness. They were in the forefront of the movement for independence. They left their mark on every institution of American life.
The Scotch-Irish Society of the USA is truly American. We believe that we can broaden, deepen, and enlarge the principles from which our nation has drawn the sustaining power for its development by recalling past achievements, remembrances, and associations.
