Commonwealth Day

09 March 2026

Over the centuries, many hundreds of thousands of Ulster-Scots have left our shores, travelling to every corner of the earth in search of new opportunities.

Their influence has been immense and includes pioneers, politicians, soldiers, social reformers and giants of commerce. 

Below are just a few of the Ulster-Scots who have made a mark on the nations of the Commonwealth. 

🔹 Retail pioneer 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐄𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐧 from Ballymena founded one of Canada's largest department stores, which at its height employed over 70,000 people. Another Canadian with Ballymena roots is 𝐁𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐲 𝐎𝐫𝐫, one of the greatest ever ice hockey players, who was the youngest player ever inducted to the NHL Hall of Fame.

🔹 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐫 from Ramelton, Co. Donegal was captain of the original New Zealand All-Blacks Rugby team. He was killed in action during the First World War. Two Ulster-Scots have also served as Prime Minister of New Zealand – 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 from Glenavy and 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐲 from Limavady.

🔹 Three Ulster-Scots earned the Victoria Cross in the First World War after enlisting in Commonwealth countries. 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐕𝐂 (born Kilkeel) and 𝐄𝐝𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐂 (born Comber) signed up in Canada, while 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐂 (born Carrickfergus) fought with the Anzacs.

Ulster-Scots: Mined in Scotland, Forged in Ulster and Exported Worldwide! 

[The above images are from the publications 'Ulster & Canada' and 'Ulster & New Zealand' from the Ulster-Scots Community Network. Both books are available to read online at the following link: Publications]