6 Must-Visit Irish-American Landmarks in the US

For many people with Irish roots, a visit to the USA can feel like home from home. In every city and state, you’ll pass streets with Irish names, pubs with shamrocks in the window, and more than a few tricolours fluttering on front lawns.

That’s because Irish people and their descendants have left an extraordinary imprint on the United States, shaping cities, traditions, and even national celebrations. And Aer Lingus is a key part of this story, flying people back and forth across the Atlantic since 1958.

In the six decades since, we’ve expanded our legacy with an ever-growing network of direct flights carrying American and Irish people back and forth in search of heritage, history, and family connections.

If you’re thinking of joining us onboard, we’ve got six exciting Irish-American destination ideas, from fascinating historical sites to fun-filled tours and legendary landmarks.

If you want to explore history and heritage in the USA, the Big Apple is a great place to begin — especially with regular direct flights from Shannon and Dublin to New York.

Take a ferry to Ellis Island, the gateway to a new life for millions of Irish immigrants, including Annie Moore, the very first person to pass through the newly opened port facility in 1892. Combine your visit with a stop by the Statue of Liberty to see this iconic symbol of welcome up close.

While you’re by the water, you might want to explore the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park City. Featuring an authentic Famine-era cottage (reconstructed, stone by stone, after it was dismantled in Mayo), the design includes winding paths that lead to a stunning view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

After all that exploring, you might want to stop for a reviving pint or Irish coffee at McSorley’s Old Ale House, which claims to be NYC’s oldest continuously operated saloon.

If you’re staying for longer in NYC, you might want to take a break from the city’s energetic pace with a visit to the famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Towering over Fifth Avenue, the cathedral is now a firm part of the Manhattan skyline, with its iconic spires featuring in many TV shows and films, including the ever-popular Sex and the City.

Built in the late 1850s, the imposing building was designed to act as both a refuge and a statement of resistance against anti-Irish discrimination at the time.

Funded largely by donations and efforts from Irish Catholics, the seat of the Archdiocese of New York is an important place of faith as well as a firm favourite among American or overseas tourists. Book a tour to see vibrant murals, walk amidst breathtaking architecture, or catch a live music performance.

You could even light a candle while you’re there, following an ancient tradition of remembrance that’s still treasured today.

Renowned as the home of the Irish-American US president, John F. Kennedy, Boston has so many landmarks connected to Ireland that they’ve built a trail around them.

Featuring 25 memorials, statues, cemeteries, parks, and historic buildings, every stop of The Irish Heritage Trail celebrates the contributions of Irish immigrants, from Revolutionary heroes at Bunker Hill to cultural icons like Edgar Allan Poe.

If you’re flying from Dublin to Boston and spending a little more time in the city, you should add the Burns Library at Boston College to your itinerary. This gorgeous Gothic Revival building hosts an extensive collection of Irish archives, books, and papers. If literature is your thing, you could spend a cosy afternoon exploring works by Samuel Beckett, Seamus Heaney, George Bernard Shaw, and many more.

Famous for dyeing its river green during its annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade, Chicago celebrates its Irish roots in style.

The Irish American Heritage Center (IAHC) houses a library, museum, gallery, and theatre, delivering a deeply immersive experience for visitors. There’s even an Irish pub — The Fifth Province — on site, playing host to live music sessions, book club meetings, and Irish dancing performances.

If you want to see more of The Windy City while you’re there, head to the Chicago Gaelic Park, which just celebrated its 40th anniversary as a “cultural and spiritual hub for the Irish diaspora.” Check out the Irish Famine Monument while you’re there, or on busier days you might catch a GAA game or see a live band.

The capital city of the United States is steeped in Irish history, from the White House (designed by a Kilkenny-born architect) to the John Barry Memorial (commemorating the Irish-born “father of the American Navy”).

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, first established in 1794 to serve the growing Irish community of the time. It’s a great place for a tourist to stop and enjoy the architecture, artwork — and peace and quiet in the centre of the city.

Close by lies the Library of Congress, which holds an impressive collection of manuscripts, letters, and political papers that chart the role of Irish people in American political history.

Named as one of the top 10 “coolest small towns in America”, Murphys California has much to offer tourists from Ireland and the United States alike. In fact, it’s never been easier to get there, with direct flights from Dublin to San Francisco.

Originally founded by two Irish immigrant brothers during the 1849 Gold Rush, the town still wears its past proudly, with historic stone buildings, atmospheric old hotels, and walkable streets that recall the golden age of classic Western movies.

Explore the rich history of the town’s original trading post and mining operations and then put your feet up to enjoy its modern offering: award-winning wine, grown in the sun-splashed foothills of the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains. Stop by a tasting room for a refreshing zinfandel in the town centre or take a day trip to any of the welcoming vineyards scattered throughout the surrounding countryside.

The perfect partner in your Irish-American adventure

All of these places are tangible links to an important part of our shared history, honouring the moment that Irish emigrants first stepped onto ships bound for an uncertain future. Today, they stand as cornerstones of national identity, a place to celebrate the Irish contribution to the founding and building of the United States.

Of course, Irish-American culture isn’t confined to physical landmarks. It’s a living, breathing thing, felt in clubs, pubs, teams, and communities all around the United States. Our special connection is especially obvious every March, when hundreds of thousands of people gather to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by watching as the river turns green in Chicago, floats parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City, or brass bands march by in Boston.

If you want to explore your heritage on either side of the Atlantic, Aer Lingus is your perfect partner.  With direct flights to the USA from Ireland, the UK, and more, we can carry you across the water in comfort — cared for by our famously hospitable crew.

Plus, if you choose to fly from Dublin or Shannon to the USA, you can avail of the ultimate time-saving hack: US pre-clearance. This means that you can be processed by US immigration authorities before you leave Irish soil.

Then you can land like a local, ready to dive straight into retracing family roots, exploring new cultural connections, or simply enjoying all that the United States has to offer.