Page 20 - Our Wexford

Our Diaspora

THE SAVANNAH CONNECTION

In addition to being the constituting by far the largest Wexford is being newly celebrated,
ancestral home of President county of origin. as confirmed by the presentation
John F. Kennedy, the maritime Known as the Wexford-Savannah in mid-March 2016 of the Key
county of Wexford boasts many Axis, the link remains relevant, of Savannah to the people of
other strong bonds with the for Savannah is vibrantly proud Wexford in a ceremony conducted
United States. For example, of its Irish heritage, shaped very by Savannah’s Mayor under the
the US Navy’s “Father,” consequentially by immigrants gold dome of City Hall.
Commodore John Barry, was with Wexford names: Corish, The source of this refreshed
born in Tacumshane, a village Kehoe, Murphy, Rossiter, Sinnott, interest is a major research project
in the southeast of the county, Stafford, and more. Savannah lives into the Wexford-Savannah Axis.
in 1745.
up to its moniker, the Hostess Counting as partners the Georgia
Yet another connection developed City, by proudly facilitating North Historical Society, the John F.
in the 1840s and ‘50s, when America’s second-biggest St. Kennedy Trust of New Ross, Co.
three County Wexford shipping Patrick’s Day Parade. Over 190 Wexford, and humanities staff and
companies operated a direct years old, that tradition-rich event librarians at Waterford Institute
transatlantic pathway to Savannah, plays a crucial role in the city’s of Technology, the initiative is
ABOVE:
Forsyth Park, chief port of Georgia – the huge tourist industry—hardly anchored at the Center for Irish
Savannah, Georgia Empire State of the South. While surprising, for many of Savannah’s Research and Teaching (CIRT), a
northeastern cities like Boston 14 million annual visitors seek unit of the 21,000-student Georgia
and New York often dominate heritage experiences. Southern University, the largest
perceptions of Irish America, we In response to the south’s university serving Savannah.
shouldn’t ignore Savannah, famed expanding population and CIRT’s director, Dr. Howard
for preserving the largest National economy, Ireland in recent years Keeley, explains, “While all Irish
Historic Landmark District in has opened two new consulates counties feature within Savannah’s
the US. Remarkably, the US there: in Austin, Texas, and history, none is more represented
Census of 1860 recorded a quarter Atlanta, Georgia. But no than Wexford.”
of Savannah’s white population southern urban center is as Irish Keeley continues, “Must-see
as Irish-born, with Wexford
as Savannah, where nowadays Savannah locations, such as the

20 OUR WEXFORD