More than twenty U.S. Presidents can trace their roots back to the Emerald Isle, making Irish genealogy not just a personal journey, but a national story woven into the fabric of American history. From Andrew Jackson to Joe Biden, the legacy of Irish ancestry runs deep in the White House.
As we explore the lives of Irish-American presidents, you’ll discover how their ancestry Ireland links not only shaped their identities but also influenced diplomatic ties between Ireland and the United States. Whether your own roots lie in County Antrim, Tyrone, or Offaly, the story of presidential Irish ancestry is a reminder of the enduring bond between two nations—and a testament to the global reach of the Irish diaspora.
🇮🇪 Why So Many U.S. Presidents Have Irish Roots
The Irish began arriving in America in significant numbers in the 18th and 19th centuries, driven by famine, poverty, and colonial oppression. Their determination, community values, and political engagement led to significant influence in American society—including, eventually, the White House.
Some presidential families identified as Scots-Irish—descendants of Irish Protestants from Ulster—while others, like John F. Kennedy, came from more recent Catholic immigrant backgrounds.
Want to trace your own presidential-level Irish roots? Start your journey with the Ultimate Guide to Tracing Irish Roots in 2025, or How to Trace Your Irish Ancestry in 2025.
🏛️ A Complete List of U.S. Presidents with Irish Ancestry
Here’s a detailed look at the U.S. Presidents with Irish heritage, along with the counties they’re believed to have descended from:
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Andrew Jackson – Parents from County Antrim
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James K. Polk – Ancestral ties to County Londonderry
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James Buchanan – Descended from County Donegal
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Andrew Johnson – Irish roots via County Antrim
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Ulysses S. Grant – First president to visit Ireland
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Chester A. Arthur – Irish Presbyterian roots
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Grover Cleveland
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Benjamin Harrison
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William McKinley
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Theodore Roosevelt
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William H. Taft
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Woodrow Wilson
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Warren G. Harding
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Harry S. Truman
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John F. Kennedy – Grandparents from Wexford, iconic 1963 Irish visit
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Richard Nixon – Ancestral roots in County Antrim
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Jimmy Carter – Irish descent traced through mother’s lineage
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Ronald Reagan – Paternal great-grandfather from Ballyporeen, County Tipperary
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George H. W. Bush – Roots in County Down
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Bill Clinton – Claimed Irish ancestry, though disputed
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George W. Bush – Irish Presbyterian roots
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Barack Obama – Maternal family from Moneygall, County Offaly
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Joe Biden – Ancestors from Ballina, County Mayo, and Carlingford, County Louth
Explore more famous Irish roots in our spotlight on The Brennan Clan or dive deeper into your own ancestry through Trace Your Irish Ancestry: A Comprehensive Guide.
🌍 Where Irish Presidents Come From: County Tyrone, Antrim & Beyond
The vast majority of Irish-American presidents have ancestral ties to Ulster, particularly Counties Tyrone and Antrim, reflecting the Scots-Irish Protestant emigration wave of the 18th and 19th centuries. They often settled in the southern and western states, distinguishing themselves from the Catholic Irish who fled the Great Famine in the mid-19th century.
To discover more about the records that can link your ancestors to Ireland, visit Irish Genealogy Records – Your 2025 Guide.
✈️ Presidential Pilgrimages to Ireland
It wasn’t until President Kennedy’s legendary visit in 1963 that Irish-American presidents began publicly embracing their roots. Kennedy’s emotional homecoming to New Ross, County Wexford became a cultural turning point.
Since then, multiple presidents have made their own ancestral pilgrimages:
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Ronald Reagan visited Ballyporeen in 1984
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Bill Clinton gave powerful speeches in Belfast and Derry
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George W. Bush returned to Ulster
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Barack Obama famously sipped Guinness in Moneygall in 2011
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Joe Biden‘s 2023 visit included stops in both Mayo and Louth
Planning a roots trip of your own? Our guide to How to Plan the Ultimate Ancestry Trip to Ireland will help you walk in their presidential footsteps.
📜 Discovering Your Own Presidential Connection
If this list has inspired you, you’re not alone. Millions of Irish-Americans are discovering links to counties like Antrim, Donegal, Kerry, and Mayo using online tools like:
From Irish birth records free online to full genealogy research services, there are more ways than ever to map your Irish family tree.
🧬 Thinking of a DNA Test?
Just like the woman who discovered she was related to Catherine O’Leary of Great Chicago Fire fame (read that story here), you can unlock astonishing insights into your family’s past with a DNA test. Use these results to match with family tree charts, connect with cousins, and even trace your ancestry Northern Ireland lines.
Learn more about how DNA testing helped one woman connect with her birth family and rewrite her identity in this powerful story.
🔍 Start Tracing Your Roots
Whether you’re a Brennan, a Murphy, or an O’Leary, the journey to uncover your past starts now. Use our comprehensive resources to dig deep into:
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Irish census records
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Irish civil and parish records
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Online archives and surname histories
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County-specific databases like County Donegal Ireland Birth Records
☘️ The Legacy Lives On
The connection between the White House and Ireland is more than symbolic—it’s genealogical. It’s a shared history of immigration, perseverance, and heritage.
So whether you’re dreaming of walking the streets of your ancestors or building out your Irish family tree online, let your story begin with the same curiosity that’s driven generations of Irish descendants—including the most powerful people in the world.
Ready to uncover your presidential past?
Explore our most trusted guides:
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