SAVANNAH, GA, USA – On March 14 - 17, World Trade Center Savannah and the Center for Irish Research and Teaching (CIRT) of Georgia Southern University (GSU) welcomed a delegation from Ireland. The delegation included Government Chief Whip, Paul Kehoe, Minister of State in the Departments of An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and Defense, Consul General Shane Stephens of the Consulate General of Ireland in Atlanta, GA, and a delegation representing Wexford County Council in Wexford, Ireland.

The purpose of the group’s visit was to further develop and strengthen the ties between the Coastal region of Georgia and Ireland. In 2015, Irish Minister Paul Kehoe visited Savannah and returned home to Ireland impressed with the energy of the Irish American community in Savannah and the very strong Wexford links that exist in Savannah. Minister Kehoe requested the Wexford Council consider developing and strengthening ties with the Savannah region in both cultural and economic aspects. The visit served as a great opportunity to sit down one-on-one with business leaders to discuss how both regions can work together and collaborate to further trade.

During their visit, Dr. Howard Keeley, Director for CIRT at GSU updated the group on the work the CIRT has done over the past three years to chronicle the historic links between Wexford and Savannah. The group enjoyed a tour of the GSU campus as well as historical sites in Savannah, including the Kehoe Iron Works and a Catholic Cemetery. The group went on to tour the Georgia Ports Authority, enjoyed lunch at the Savannah College of Art & Design’s Gryphon Tea Room and met with staff of the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) and WTC Savannah to learn about the economic advantages of doing business in the Coastal region. Following the meeting, the Irish guests presented to the local business community about the advantages of doing business in Wexford, Ireland. Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Vice-Chair of Wexford County Council and Tom Enright, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council led the presentation and Q&A session. The group concluded their visit by attending the 2016 Savannah St. Patrick’s Day parade.

PHOTO (L-R): Tom Enright, Chief Executive, Wexford County Council, Larry Byrne, Wexford and Southeast Ireland Economic Ambassador, Counselor Michael Sheehan, Chairperson New Ross Municipal District and Economic Development & Enterprise Strategic Policy Group, Wexford County Council

For additional information, please contact Kathleen Henry, Manager of Trade Services and Research at WTC Savannah, at khenry@wtcsavannah.org.

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