Call To Rename Dervock’s Riverside Park After US President McKinley

A motion calling for Riverside Park in Dervock to be renamed in honour of former US President William McKinley is set to go before Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

The proposal, tabled by TUV's Councillor Allister Kyle and seconded by Councillor Jonathan McAuley, seeks to recognise the ancestral ties between the North Antrim village and the 25th President of the United States. McKinley’s great-great-grandfather, James McKinley, emigrated from the nearby townland of Conagher in 1743.

With 2026 marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, councillors say the renaming would serve as a timely commemoration of the borough’s historical links to the United States.

The full Notice of Motion to be presented reads:

Notice of Motion
Proposed by Councillor Allister Kyle, seconded by Councillor Jonathan McAuley

I hereby move that Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council support the proposal to rename Riverside Park in Dervock to McKinley Park in memory of the 25th President of the United States, William McKinley, and to commemorate the deep ancestral ties between Dervock and the McKinley family.

As we know year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in the United States, a momentous event that laid the foundation for the nation’s freedom and democracy. In recognition of this anniversary and taking into account we have set up a committee to oversee the anniversary, we believe it is fitting that we reflect on the profound historical connections between the North Antrim village and the United States. Dervock's primary link to the Americas lies in its ancestral connection to William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States.

McKinley’s great-great-grandfather, James McKinley, who emigrated from the townland of Conagher, near Dervock, in 1743. This historic connection offers a unique opportunity to honour Dervock’s contribution to American history and heritage.

The renaming of Riverside Park to McKinley Park would serve as a lasting tribute to the legacy of William McKinley, highlighting the role that Dervock’s local heritage has played in shaping American history. This renaming would not only honour McKinley’s presidential legacy but also strengthen the bond between the town and its American roots.

By renaming the park, the council would help raise awareness of this important historical link, fostering a greater understanding of the global influence of the Causeway Coast and Glens region. This gesture could also encourage cultural exchanges and promote tourism, with an emphasis on the rich historical ties between the US and Dervock.

I recommend that the Council formally approve the proposal to rename Riverside Park in Dervock to McKinley Park, in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and in recognition of the ancestral connection between Dervock and President William McKinley. This renaming would serve as a lasting tribute to both the McKinley family and the history of the United States, while also promoting local heritage, education, and international tis between Dervock and the United States.