Tour of the Mellon landscape

The Ulster American Folk Park tells the story of migration from Ulster to the United States of America during the 18th and 19th Centuries.  Our story and the stories we tell are evolving and we are proud to celebrate not only the people but the environment and landscape that they left.  

For European Heritage Open Days this year, we invite you to join us on a unique tour that celebrates this special place and its landscape. One of the great stories we celebrate is that of Thomas Mellon, who in 1818, with his family, left their farm at Castletown, Omagh for a new life in America. Over time this place that they called home has changed and evolved and our tour will capture this.

Taking place on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September at 12 noon, join our guided tour of the Mellon Landscape. Starting at the Mellon Centre for Migration Studies, right here on museum ground, you will be introduced to the world the family left and how Castletown and indeed Omagh has changed from that time to now.    

From there you will walk to the Mellon Homestead where you will see the Mellon House and then our guides will take you to the Mellon Homestead farmland, an area that is not accessible during public opening.

Things to note:

• You must book your place as there is a maximum capacity of 20 people per tour.
• We recommend wearing suitable footwear and clothing, as part of the tour is outdoors.  
• It's one tour per day at 12 noon, lasting 1.5 hours.
• The tour starts and ends at the Mellon Centre for Migration Studies, located at the Ulster American Folk Park.

European Heritage Open Days is an annual event celebrating local architecture, history and culture, which takes place across Europe on the second weekend in September. In Northern Ireland European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) is run by the Department for Communities with the support of the Council of Europe and the European Commission.