Ulster American Folk Park
Open-air museum near Omagh that tells the story of Ulster emigrants to North America through rebuilt homes and streets from Ireland and the United States.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Ulster American Folk Park grew out of the Mellon family homestead at Camp Hill, Castletown. The banker and judge Thomas Mellon was born in the cottage and emigrated with his family to Pennsylvania in 1818, later founding a banking dynasty in Pittsburgh. After the cottage was restored in the 1960s, the project was widened into a full open-air museum, which opened in 1976 under its first director, Eric Montgomery.
The park presents the emigrant story in two linked parts. Houses, farms and shops from Ulster, some of them moved from districts of Belfast, show the lives people left behind. Buildings from North America, including a stone house from Pennsylvania and a general store from Virginia, show how settlers built new lives. A replica of the emigrant ship Brig Union connects the two sides of the story.
The Mellon Centre for Migration Studies, beside the entrance, holds a research library on Irish emigration from 1600 to the present day and works with local universities. The park is part of National Museums NI. At present some historic buildings, including Campbell House, are closed for restoration, and conservation work on the thatched roofs is planned.
Highlights
- Mellon family homestead, the birthplace of Thomas Mellon
- Streets of Ulster houses, some moved from Belfast
- Replica emigrant ship Brig Union
- Stone house from Pennsylvania and a general store from Virginia
- Research library of the Mellon Centre for Migration Studies
Permanent exhibitions
- Emigrant homes and streets – Rebuilt houses, farms and streets from Ulster and North America that show life before and after emigration, including the Mellon homestead.
- Brig Union – A replica emigrant sailing ship that shows the crossing from Ireland to America.
- Founded
- 1976
- Operated by
- National Museums NI
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £13 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £10.45Seniors and students |
| Children & teens | £7.95free up to age 4 · Children under 5 are free; visitors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | £10.45 |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Accessibility tickets are free; a carer accompanying a person with access needs is also admitted free. |
| Students & apprentices | £10.45 |
| Groups (15+ people) | –Groups of 15 or more receive 10% off admission if payment is made in a single transaction. |
Standard adult, child and concession prices as given on the park’s group booking page. Prices can vary on event days. Members of National Museums NI enter free (membership card or photo ID) and receive a discount in the café and shop. Booking online is recommended, but tickets can also be bought on the day.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Most exhibits, including the café and shop, are accessible, but a small number of historic buildings are not. A limited number of class 3 mobility scooters (users must be over 14) and wheelchairs can be reserved in advance by email. There are 14 Blue Badge spaces in a separate car park and six in the main car park. Public toilets are provided throughout the site. Only assistance dogs are allowed, and proof of registration is requested at entry.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
Children under 5 enter free and visitors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Picnic benches are available around the site.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ulster American Folk Park
Translink Metrobus 273 runs from Europa Bus Station in Belfast (about 2 hours) and from Omagh Depot, and stops directly at the museum.
By car
Free parking
Parking is free for all visitors, with an overflow car park lower down. There are two electric vehicle charging points in the main car park, and a rack for 10 bicycles beside the visitor information centre.
- Accessible parking
By car from Belfast, take the M1, then the A4 and A5 to Beltany Road, where the museum is on the right; from Omagh it is about 15 minutes by car on the A5. Sat nav postcode BT78 5QU.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check: not available
- Lockers: not available
The Maker Café serves hot and cold food and drinks during opening hours. Picnics are welcome at picnic benches in the car park and around the site. There is no luggage or personal storage.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Venue hire is offered through National Museums NI; spaces and capacities are not published on the pages consulted.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | no |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The park recommends allowing 2 to 3 hours. There are no guided tours for individual visitors, who explore at their own pace with the visitor map, which is also available in 15 languages. School visits and group bookings (15 or more) are available. Bikes and scooters are not allowed, except mobility vehicles and manual wheelchairs. |
