Ulster Scots heritage at heart of America's St Patrick's Day celebrations, as new version of musical 'On Eagle's Wing' for to be performed for President Trump
Ulster Scots heritage is to take its place at the heart of St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the US, as a new version of the musical ‘On Eagle’s Wing’ is to be performed for President Trump at a prestigious annual Washington event.
The story of brave 17th century pioneers who sailed to America from Groomsport on the north Down coast, the musical was once dubbed the “protestant answer to Riverdance” after it made its successful debut at Belfast’s SSE Arena two decades ago.
Broadway singers to perform three numbers from an adapted version of it, in front of Donald Trump and a high-profile cadre of the great and good organised as part of St Patrick’s Day events.
The musical’s composer, well-known Belfast bandleader John Anderson, passed away in March 2024 after a brief illness; Trevor Marshall, his partner on the musical and who describes himself as the “backroom bean-counter” of the operation, now hopes its appearance in its new form as ‘Where Eagles Fly’ will lead to its full-scale American debut.
And, he told the News Letter, he feels John’s presence as they prepare for the prestigious event.
“John had always wanted to take this to America,” he said. “I was with him in his last hours, and I quoted to him lines from one of his own songs in the musical – ‘this selfless dream that you’ve started, I will finish it for you’.
“When the White House approved it, I felt the message was sent from John; I felt John’s hand on me.
“I’m not a religious person but I felt John’s presence.”
The songs will appear as entertainment for the St Patrick’s Day Speaker's Lunch, an annual tradition hosted by the Speaker of the US House of Representatives to celebrate the relationship between and shared heritage of the United States and Ireland.
Usually it concentrates on folk traditions such as Irish dancing; as this year marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, signed by many men from Ulster Scots roots, Trevor thought the time was right to make his pitch.
“For once, could we give the other side a bit of credit?” he jokes – though clearly it paid off. Without much notice, though, as it was only okayed last week.
"Two weeks to get visas, rehearse, it was nearly impossible,” says Trevor. “But being an Ulster Scot I have tenacity, I thought let’s how I can make it work.”
One song they’ve lined up contains the words Trevor quoted to John as his friend lay on his death bed; it’s about the seventh US president, Andrew Jackson, known to be a major inspiration for Donald Trump.
“Jackson’s father was from Carrickfergus,” says Trevor. “It’s a lovely song and very apt, but we hope the president will particularly enjoy it.”