STATESBORO
Georgia Southern University and the Waterford Institute of Technology, along with the Georgia Historical Society and the John F. Kennedy Trustin New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland, have formed what they call the Wexford-Savannah Axis research partnership.
The partnership will examine how and why so many people from the Irish town of Wexford and southeastern Ireland immigrated to Savannah in the 19th century and the impact that had on Irish and American generations in both countries.
“The project is a significant international public-private partnership that will add depth and nuance to our understanding of a crucial but often overlooked aspect of Irish-American identity: the experiences and traditions of the Irish in the Southern States,” said Howard Keeley, director of the Center for Irish Research and Teaching at Georgia Southern.
Keeley said the research not only will uncover information about the Wexford-Savannah migration, but also will help researchers better comprehend and address the challenges faced by present-day immigrant communities, whether in the U.S., Ireland or elsewhere.
During a March 18 appearance at Georgia Southern, Leo Varadkar, minister for transport, tourism and sport in Ireland, congratulated the participants on the innovative nature of the partnership.
“There is huge potential to develop links between the southeast of Ireland and Georgia, and in particular to increase tourist traffic between these two parts of the world,” Varadkar said. “We are always pleased to welcome American visitors to Ireland, and in this case it will be wonderful to welcome so many people from Savannah home.”
Richard Hayes, head of the School of Humanities at Waterford, said the partnership is an exciting project for his institution.
We see great potential in this research as it will answer important questions about the experience of people from our region in the United States and offer insights into how immigrant communities sustain themselves in the contemporary world,” Hayes said. “Also, of course, our partnership with the JFK Trust allows us to realize the tourism potential of the link in Georgia.”