Welcome to the Savannah Irish Podcast brought to you by The Savannah Irish Festival! This week, host Tara Reese welcomes Nicole Sheils Deputy Consul General of Ireland in Atlanta, representing the US Southeast.

The Savannah Irish Podcast is proudly supported by The Irish Pub Company - the ‘Official Partner of the Guinness Irish Pub Concept’ which means that they are rated as the best in the world at creating the most profitable and authentic Irish Hospitality Concepts. They design, manufacture and fit out your venue from start to finish.

Nicole shares her impressive career journey from Dublin, including her time working in various capacities within the Irish civil service and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The discussion highlights the importance of fostering Irish culture and community in the Southeast US, with particular emphasis on economic ties, youth engagement, and historical connections. Nicole also reveals exciting upcoming projects, including the USA 250 celebrations and the launch of a lecture series on Irish immigration stories. Listeners will gain insight into the vibrant cultural exchanges and diplomatic efforts that strengthen the bonds between Ireland and the Southeast US.

Learn more about the VOICES in this episode AND tap the links to support the Savannah Irish Festival:

Website: Consulate General Of Ireland, Atlanta | Ireland.ie | Ireland.ie

Facebook: Consulate General of Ireland, Atlanta | Atlanta GA | Facebook

Instagram: Consulate General of Ireland - US Southeast (@irelandatlanta) • Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: Consulate General of Ireland, Atlanta | LinkedIn

Newsletter: Consulate General of Ireland Atlanta

Learn all about the Savannah Irish Festival at the Alee Temple on Saturday, February 7, and Sunday, February 8, 2026

MEET our SHOW SPONSOR - The Irish Pub Company

MEET our PRODUCTION CREW: Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:14 Meet Nicole Shiels: Deputy Council General of Ireland

00:56 Nicole's Career Journey

02:30 Experiences in the US and St. Patrick's Day Parade

05:49 Role and Responsibilities of the Consulate

08:06 Economic and Cultural Connections

09:08 Irish Heritage in the Southeast

12:08 Future Goals and Initiatives

19:10 Irish-American Connections Today

20:19 Celebrating Irish Culture and Heritage

21:37 The Role of the Irish Diaspora

24:04 Irish Cultural Influence and Storytelling

29:42 Economic and Educational Partnerships

35:43 Upcoming Initiatives and Final Thoughts

Welcome to the Savannah Irish Podcast! This week, host Tara Reese welcomes Chris Ahearn of the World Trade Center Savannah and Gerry Leonard of the Irish Chamber of Commerce Atlanta.

The Savannah Irish Podcast is proudly supported by The Irish Pub Company - the ‘Official Partner of the Guinness Irish Pub Concept’ which means that they are rated as the best in the world at creating the most profitable and authentic Irish Hospitality Concepts. They design, manufacture and fit out your venue from start to finish.

Learn more about the VOICES in this episode AND tap the links to support the Savannah Irish Festival:

Learn all about the Savannah Irish Festival at the Alee Temple on Saturday, February 7, and Sunday, February 8, 2026

MEET our SHOW SPONSOR - The Irish Pub Company

MEET our PRODUCTION CREW: Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media

In episode four of season three of the Savannah Irish podcast, host Tara Reese welcomes back Dr. Howard Keeley from Georgia Southern University. They discuss the unique sister city relationship between Savannah, Georgia, and Wexford, Ireland, focusing on the historical trade connections that began in 1845 with the Graves family's international maritime trading company.

The Savannah Irish Podcast is proudly supported by The Irish Pub Company - the ‘Official Partner of the Guinness Irish Pub Concept’ which means that they are rated as the best in the world at creating the most profitable and authentic Irish Hospitality Concepts. They design, manufacture and fit out your venue from start to finish.

The episode dives into the cultural exchanges, stories of immigration, and significant impacts of Irish timber trade on Savannah's development. Additionally, it highlights the remarkable discoveries made by Georgia Southern University students in the National Archives of Ireland, and the ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between Savannah and Wexford today through initiatives like the Trade Bridge. The podcast underscores the importance of preserving these narratives for future generations.

Learn more about the VOICES in this episode AND tap the links to support the Savannah Irish Festival:

Meet Dr. Howard Keeley

Learn all about the Savannah Irish Festival at the Alee Temple on Saturday, February 7, and Sunday, February 8, 2026

MEET our SHOW SPONSOR - The Irish Pub Company

MEET our PRODUCTION CREW: Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Introduction and Special Guests

00:21 Savannah and Wexford: Sister Cities

01:16 The Timber Trade Connection

04:06 The Graves Family and Their Ventures

13:05 Rediscovering Lost History

14:49 Modern Connections and Collaborations

18:18 Savannah's Irish Heritage and Ballast Stones

18:31 The Graves Family and Savannah's Stone Supply

19:47 The Dun Brody and Timber Trade

20:26 Personal Connections and Irish Stories

21:53 Savannah's Irish Neighborhoods and Cemeteries

25:59 Wexford's Emigration and the Famine

28:45 Challenges and Successes of Irish Immigrants

34:40 Preserving Irish History in Savannah

In this episode of the Savannah Irish Podcast, Dr. Howard Keeley from Georgia Southern University's Irish Studies program dives into the rich history of Irish immigration in Savannah.

The Savannah Irish Podcast is proudly supported by The Irish Pub Company - the ‘Official Partner of the Guinness Irish Pub Concept’ which means that they are rated as the best in the world at creating the most profitable and authentic Irish Hospitality Concepts. They design, manufacture and fit out your venue from start to finish.

Explore the initial waves of Irish settlers during the famine, the contributions of key figures like Henry Ellis, the establishment of neighborhoods, and the role of the Irish in politics, labor, and community building. Discover how the deeply intertwined Irish and Savannah histories have shaped the city, from early fraternal organizations like the Hibernian Society to significant civic contributions including alderman James McGuire's impact.

Stay tuned as the show promises further fascinating insights into the shared stories and legacies of Savannah's Irish community.

Learn more about the VOICES in this episode AND tap the links to support the Savannah Irish Festival:

Meet Dr. Howard Keeley

Learn all about the Savannah Irish Festival at the Alee Temple on Saturday, February 7, and Sunday, February 8, 2026

MEET our SHOW SPONSOR - The Irish Pub Company

MEET our PRODUCTION CREW: Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Introduction and Rebranding

00:23 Early Irish Immigration to Savannah

01:37 Oglethorpe and the Irish Influence

02:44 Henry Ellis: Georgia's Second Founder

08:14 The Queensboro Settlement

14:31 Scots-Irish and the Hibernian Society

17:35 The First St. Patrick's Day Parade

20:42 Upcoming Episodes and Conclusion

21:00 Building Savannah: Irish Contributions to Labor and Community

24:28 The Great Famine and Its Impact on Irish Immigration

25:59 The 1860 Census: A Snapshot of Irish Presence in Savannah

29:17 Irish Women in Savannah: Employment and Contributions

33:43 Irish Political Activism and Civic Leadership

35:28 James McGuire Jr.: A Story of Perseverance and Politics

41:23 The Legacy of Irish History in Savannah

In this episode of the Savannah Irish podcast, host Tara Reese and guests Dr. Kelley Mondesire and Connor Dolan explore the lively Irish and Celtic festival scene in the American South.

The conversation dives into how cities like Nashville, Tennessee, and Savannah celebrate their Celtic heritage through music, dance, and community events. Additionally, the episode highlights the importance of networking, cross-promotion, and community reliance among festival organizers.

Insightful discussions reveal how these cultural celebrations help to honor heritage, educate the public, and bring together people with shared ancestral roots. Specific upcoming event dates in Nashville and Savannah are shared, with aspirations for future expansions highlighted.

THE SAVANNAH IRISH PODCAST IS PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY: THE IRISH PUB COMPANY

THE SAVANNAH IRISH PODCAST IS PROUDLY PRODUCED BY: DEE DANIELS MEDIA - STORYTELLING WITH A PURPOSE

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VOICES & TOPICS IN THIS EPISODE:

Get details on the 2026 Savannah Irish Festival

Get tickets to the 2026 Savannah Irish Festival

Learn more about the Savannah Scottish Games

Learn more about the Irish Network Nashville

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome to the Savannah Irish Podcast

00:32 Meet the Guests: Dr. Kelley and Connor Dolan

01:34 Elevator Pitches: Roles in Celtic Events

01:57 Connor Dolan on Nashville's Irish Network

03:08 Dr. Kelley on Irish and Scottish Heritage

04:10 Tara's Role and Savannah's Celtic Culture

04:50 The Importance of Celtic Festivals

05:29 Nashville's Growing Celtic Scene

17:32 Savannah's St. Patrick's Day and Community

21:51 Cultural Festivals and Traditions

22:58 Joining the Nashville Irish Community

24:21 Networking and Community Building

26:09 Expanding Irish Cultural Events

27:21 Challenges and Opportunities

29:44 Technical Difficulties and Resuming Discussion

34:20 Future Visions for Cultural Events

40:47 Event Dates and Final Remarks

In this premiere episode of Season 3 of the Savannah Irish Podcast, host Tara Reese welcomes Dr. Howard Keeley, the Director of the Irish Studies Program at Georgia Southern University.

The Savannah Irish Podcast is proudly supported by The Irish Pub Company - the ‘Official Partner of the Guinness Irish Pub Concept’ which means that they are rated as the best in the world at creating the most profitable and authentic Irish Hospitality Concepts. They design, manufacture and fit out your venue from start to finish.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR: Dr. Keeley shares his extraordinary journey from Dublin to directing a program that bridges Savannah, Georgia, and Wexford, Ireland. Learn about the impactful educational initiatives, including the transformation of historic buildings into state-of-the-art learning facilities, innovative research opportunities, and the unique experiences that the students enjoy both in the U.S. and Ireland. The episode also highlights the importance of community engagement, the support from local communities in Savannah and Wexford, and future plans for expanding the program's reach and facilities.

FIND A SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Introduction to Season Three

00:07 Meet Dr. Howard Keeley

00:48 Dr. Keeley's Background and Journey

03:43 Georgia Southern University's Irish Studies Program

04:08 Community Engagement and Support

05:35 Wexford Campus and Student Experiences

10:02 Research and Study Abroad Initiatives

12:39 Challenges and Opportunities in Irish Studies

16:31 Future Plans and Fundraising

26:17 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

Welcome to the Savannah Irish Festival Podcast - brought to you by the Irish Pub Company! We're Celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Savannah with Ireland's Minister of Social Protection Dara Calleary.

In this episode, host Tara Reese and President Deana Shores welcome Minister Dara Calleary to discuss the vibrant celebrations of St. Patrick's Day in Savannah and the importance of Irish heritage. Minister Calleary shares insights into his roles in the Irish government and the deep cultural connections between Ireland and Savannah.

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The conversation covers the significance of preserving Irish culture through events like the Savannah Irish Festival and fostering strong economic and social ties between Ireland and the United States. Additionally, Minister Calleary reflects on the historical struggles of Irish immigrants and the global Irish diaspora's role in promoting Irish culture.

Learn more about the VOICES in this episode AND tap the links to support the Savannah Irish Festival:

Meet Minister Dara Calleary

Minister Dara Calleary on Instagram

Learn all about the Savannah Irish Festival

MEET our SHOW SPONSOR - The Irish Pub Company

Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media

WELCOME TO THE SAVANNAH IRISH FESTIVAL PODCAST! Thank you to The Irish Pub Company for sponsoring this show.

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This episode of the Savannah Irish Festival podcast features Vic Power, the legendary owner of the also-legendary Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub for 40 years. Vic shares the journey that led him to Savannah from St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands and the inspiration behind naming his pub. The conversation touches on the significant influence of Kevin Barry's on Savannah's community and its deep connection with the military, particularly the Rangers.

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Joined by Rick, a 36-year Army veteran, they reminisce about the pub's history, memorable events, and the lasting impact it has left on its patrons. The episode also highlights the personal stories of love and camaraderie that were fostered within the walls of Kevin Barry’s, including the fascinating tradition of honoring fallen soldiers. Vic also recalls his friendships and the famous faces that played at the pub, cementing its reputation as a beloved institution in Savannah.

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Learn more about the VOICES in this episode AND tap the links to support the Savannah Irish Festival:

Read more about Kevin Barry's

Meet the Committee

MEET our SHOW SPONSOR - The Irish Pub Company

Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media