A BLUE plaque has been unveiled to honour the first US Consul General to Belfast, on the 220th anniversary of his appointment.
James Holmes was the first of more than 50 consul generals who have held the post since US President George Washington’s signed the papers to create the role in 1796.
Mr Holmes was born in Belfast into a prominent merchant family and had formed extensive business relationships, including in the United States, before he took on the position.
His appointment in the late 18th century came at a time when Belfast had become a major seafaring gateway and the dual activities of emigration and trade justified the city's place among a small group of US consular representations around the world.
To mark his appointment, an Ulster History Circle blue plaque was erected on Friday outside McHugh's Bar - Belfast's oldest building - close to where he had his offices at 11 Chichester Quay.
The offices, near the present day Custom House, facilitated a range of imports such as wheat, flour and timber as well as linen and glassware.
Since Mr Holmes’ appointment, there has been a continuous consular presence in Northern Ireland, making Belfast the second oldest continuously running US Consulate in the world.
Civic representatives, including the current US Consul General Daniel Lawton and the Belfast Lord Mayor Arder Carson, were among those to attend the commemoration yesterday.
The event, held on the exact anniversary of Mr Holmes' appointment, reflected on the shared history of the United States and Northern Ireland, as well as the continued importance of our Transatlantic ties.
