American troops arrive in Northern IrelandOn 26th January 1942, Private First Class Milburn H Henke became the first American GI on European soil in World War Two but is this story all it seems? Previous Next American Football at Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast, Co. Antrim7th March 2018The first game of American Football in Europe during WW2 was played at the Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast between "Yarvard" and "Hale" on 14th November 1942. Baseball in Northern Ireland2nd March 2018By 1942, America had joined World War Two and those men based in Northern Ireland brought some home comforts including the national past time of baseball. US Army segregation in Northern Ireland7th March 2018During World War Two, over one million black servicemen served in segregated US Army regiments. Many of those men were briefly based in Northern Ireland. United States Army Rangers in Northern IrelandSunnylands Camp near Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim was the setting for the activation of William O Darby's 1st Battalion United States Army Rangers on 19th June 1942. Previous Next Lisnabreeny American Cemetery, Rocky Road, Belfast, Co. AntrimLisnabreeny in the Castlereagh Hills once was the site of an American Military Cemetery in Belfast. 148 servicemen were buried there between 1943 and 1948. Eisenhower Pier, Bangor, Co. DownGeneral Dwight D Eisenhower, President of the USA visited Bangor on the 18th and 19th May 1944 leading up to D-Day. The northern pier now bears his name. City Hall, Donegall Square, Belfast, Co. AntrimBelfast City Hall opened in 1906 and has come through much in its history. There are several connections with World War Two, many are still standing today. Ballyholme Bay, Bangor, Co. DownIn 1944, Ballyholme Bay in Bangor was a hive of activity. Shipyards carried out work for the Admiralty and US Navy landing ship craft beached off the shore. Quartermaster Gasoline Supply Company HQ, BelfastBetween 1942 and 1944, Northern Ireland hosted tens of thousands of US troops. The 3878th Quartermaster Gasoline Supply Company were based at Lisnabreeny. Tollymore Forest Park, Bryansford, Co. DownThe spectacular scenery of Tollymore Forest Park is heavily featured in Game Of Thrones and remains mostly unchanged from what greeted the US Army in 1942. GI Jive Festival, Kilkeel, Co. DownThe annual GI Jive Festival takes place in the Co. Down town of Kilkeel. It features the music and fashion of the 40s along with some WWII reenactors. Previous Next
