Corkman who coined term ‘USA’ honoured on Blarney Street
A memorial to a Corkman who served as secretary to George Washington during the American War of Independence has been unveiled on Blarney Street.
The plaque, which was unveiled at the Blarney Street and Surrounding Areas Community Association at the Rock Community Centre on Saturday, commemorates Stephen Moylan, a Blarney Street native.
Moylan is considered to be the author of the first written record of the phrase ‘United States of America’.
Born on Blarney Street in 1737, he served as a general in the Continental Army, and as George Washington’s aide-de-camp.
During the war he also served as the commander of the 4th Continental Light Dragoons, and saw a number of battles, including the Siege of Yorktown, and the Battle of Springfield.
A dragoon was an infantry soldier who rode into battle on horseback but would dismount to fight on foot.
He was also the founder of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St Patrick, a society in Philadelphia which assisted Irish immigrants to the city.
2026 marks the 150th birthday of the USA.
The event on Blarney Street was supported by Irish America 250, a group set up to highlight the importance of the Irish contribution to the USA’s founding.
“From his fighting for American independence, to his coining of the phrase the ‘United States of America’, Stephen Moylan is recognised as a true American patriot,” said Morgan O’Sullivan, Vice-Chair of Irish America 250.
Chairman of the Blarney Street and Surrounding Areas Community Association at the Rock Community Centre, Tom Coleman, said everyone in the area was “very proud” of Moylan.
“He left these shores a long time ago, but his contribution connects the history of Blarney Street to the founding history of America,” he said.
Also present were Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Fergal Dennehy.
The Taoiseach said that Moylan was a reminder of the “significant contribution” of the Irish diaspora to the United States.
Cllr Dennehy said he “stands as a beacon of the enduring transatlantic friendship between Ireland and America”.