Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Few people appear to know that highly respected President Ulysses S. Grant’s great grandfather John Simpson was born in a farmhouse outside Ballygawley in Co Tyrone in Northern Ireland. The S in President Grant's name refers to his Irish great grandfather Simpson.
President Ulysses S. Grant's original ancestral homestead in rural Co Tyrone has been wonderfully refurbished and preserved and is open to visitors all year round. It has been made as authentic as possible. It shows what life was like for the Grant ancestors back then in the north of Ireland/Ulster. The old cottage buildings are filled with charts, maps, educational boards, audio recordings and visual recordings. The cottage has been filled with artifacts such as clothing, bed, chairs, pictures, fireplace, kitchen ware, and more, to show as near as possible the way it would have been back when John simpson left never to return in 1760.
In 1760 John Simpson left Northern Ireland, emigrating to Ohio in the United States. This was a massive undertaking largely into the unknown. America was very much an undiscovered country. Remember back then there was no internet telephone electricity or easy means of travel and few to come to your aid if and when things went wrong. You were very much on your own.
John Simpson's great grandson, Hiram Ulysses Grant was born in 1822, the eldest of 6 children. When Hiram was registering for West Point Military Academy as a recruit, he was mistakenly called Ulysses Simpson Grant, and this became his adopted name. Grant went on to become a leading General in the American Civil War, accepting the surrender from Confederate General Lee in 1865. After the Civil War, President Andrew Johnson named Ulysses Grant Secretary of War over the newly reunited nation. In 1868, running against Johnson, Ulysses S Grant was elected the 18th President of the United States. Serving two terms in office, U S Grant embarked on a world tour. During his two-year tour he was the first President of the United States to visit Ireland and Northern Ireland.
U.S. Grant Homestead Play park features a pod swing, a wheelchair accessible ground level roundabout, a wheelchair accessible in ground trampoline, a multi-unit and sensory play panels.
Free site and accessible for wheelchair users, ample parking, picnic tables, excellent toilets and BBQ area.
We had a fabulous time learning and exploring. This truly is a remarkable hiddeen gem.
Come and see it for yourself! You will not be disappointed!
Few people appear to know that highly respected President Ulysses S. Grant’s great grandfather John Simpson was born in a farmhouse outside Ballygawley in Co Tyrone in Northern Ireland. The S in President Grant's name refers to his Irish great grandfather Simpson.
President Ulysses S. Grant's original ancestral homestead in rural Co Tyrone has been wonderfully refurbished and preserved and is open to visitors all year round. It has been made as authentic as possible. It shows what life was like for the Grant ancestors back then in the north of Ireland/Ulster. The old cottage buildings are filled with charts, maps, educational boards, audio recordings and visual recordings. The cottage has been filled with artifacts such as clothing, bed, chairs, pictures, fireplace, kitchen ware, and more, to show as near as possible the way it would have been back when John simpson left never to return in 1760.
In 1760 John Simpson left Northern Ireland, emigrating to Ohio in the United States. This was a massive undertaking largely into the unknown. America was very much an undiscovered country. Remember back then there was no internet telephone electricity or easy means of travel and few to come to your aid if and when things went wrong. You were very much on your own.
John Simpson's great grandson, Hiram Ulysses Grant was born in 1822, the eldest of 6 children. When Hiram was registering for West Point Military Academy as a recruit, he was mistakenly called Ulysses Simpson Grant, and this became his adopted name. Grant went on to become a leading General in the American Civil War, accepting the surrender from Confederate General Lee in 1865. After the Civil War, President Andrew Johnson named Ulysses Grant Secretary of War over the newly reunited nation. In 1868, running against Johnson, Ulysses S Grant was elected the 18th President of the United States. Serving two terms in office, U S Grant embarked on a world tour. During his two-year tour he was the first President of the United States to visit Ireland and Northern Ireland.
U.S. Grant Homestead Play park features a pod swing, a wheelchair accessible ground level roundabout, a wheelchair accessible in ground trampoline, a multi-unit and sensory play panels.
Free site and accessible for wheelchair users, ample parking, picnic tables, excellent toilets and BBQ area.
We had a fabulous time learning and exploring. This truly is a remarkable hiddeen gem.
Come and see it for yourself! You will not be disappointed!
