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