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