Officially kicking off the Green Season in Savannah, the Savannah Irish Festival held their one-day event at Savannah Station on Saturday, Feb. 11.

I’m not sure how SIF president Tara Reese and her merry tribe of all things Irish managed to put everyone in Savannah Station, but she did and let me tell you—it was cram-packed with the Irish singers, services and sports like the three-year-old Gaelic sports club, Savannah Gaelic Athletic Association.

Just inside the entrance and to my right, I see Savannah GAA’s Damien Shields demonstrating how to use his hurley and scooping up a sliotar on a small patch of green astroturf. Beside him and togged out in their purple and gold colors of Ireland’s County Wexford jerseys, Abigail and Daragh Blennerhassett wave me over for a hug and an invite to their Hostess City Hooley on March 5.

I can not put into words what a hurley, sliotar or hooley is but let me say this — if you want to experience the oldest sport in the world, have a 100 percent increase in your social life and hear authentic swear words that will make you howl, you can find them at the south end of Forsyth Park every Thursday at 6 p.m. 

“Come for one practice and one pint and you will be hooked,” invites Savannah GAA Chairman Caleb Harkleroad.

At the table beside them are St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee’s Golf Tournament’s Mike Lynch, Flag Unit’s Joseph Powers and Parade Adjutant John Bunker. While talking with John about his 40 plus years at the former Bacchus Cadillac location, I learned that the theme for this year’s parade is Family, Friends and Faith for the 300 parade units that will be marching. 

Speaking of marching, a man who knows all about the parade’s dozens of events is past Grand Marshal Michael Kenny. An active member since 1976, I ask Michael what memory stands out the most. 

“When you process into the Cathedral Basilica for the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day mass and walk down the aisle while everyone stands — if this doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, nothing will,” shares the 2018 Grand Marshal.

After a pic of Bill Walker with George Schwartz and Lindsey Rowse, I meet Legacy Irish dancers, five-year-old Sawyer MaeKelly and eight-year-old Scotland Kelly then glance over to see two gorgeous Irish Wolfhounds staring at me. Making a bee line over to the shaggy brothers Oliver Graham and Michael Goodhall, I chat with their parents Margaret Paraschos and Michael Goodhall about rescuing the pups with the Irish Wolfhound Association of the Mid South.

Even though Kym Hogan rode over with me, I haven’t seen the Yancey Bros. Corporate Recruiter since we arrived, but I definitely hear her! Hanging out with her cousins Jillian and Deana Shores along with Rusty and Lorriane Fetterman, Kym insists on a family pic of the lively group before I make it into the ballroom that is jam packed with vendors like PillowSak’s Debbie McIncrow.

Obsessed with the ingenious idea of a travel accessory cover for people that love to travel with their pillow, I have wanted one of these 100% cotton canvas bags because they have an adjustable strap AND they slide over your luggage handle! I am so amped that I FaceTime two friends to let them pick out their own designs after I select a gray wood-looking PillowSak for myself.

 Weaving past a triad, a group of singers and musicians jamming together,  I see Gena Sullivan heading towards me. As one of my most fascinating female friends, let me tell you a little bit about the former Public Information Officer. When she isn’t riding her Harley Davidson Street Bob or traveling to Ireland to hang out with our Irish police and prison guard peeps, you can find her planning her handfasting ceremony that will be held in Ballina County Mayo Ireland in April.

From this moment forward, it’s hugs and photos for the Police Emerald Society peeps, Veteran Carrier’s manly Conan Higgins and Clearwave Fiber’s Teresa Harris. Saying hey to The Ladies Ancient Order of Hiberians Shirley Humpfries as she checks in close to 800 people, I cruise past the Daughters of Ireland’s booth as I make my way out to Molly MacPherson’s food truck.

There she is! Give me an update Tara Reese. 

“With this being the first festival since 2020, I can’t believe we have hit capacity multiple times! When they weren’t listening to The Byrne Brothers, Fran Doyle and Carroll Brown or Seldom Somber, they were buying Irish goods and services from dozens of vendors,” shares the ecstatic SIF President.

With future plans for a Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day event in September and a possible Celtic Christmas, the Savannah Irish Festival is breathing new life into a dying tradition. And from one Southerner obsessed with all things Irish, I can’t wait to see what Tara and the Savannah Irish Festival will do next!

This article appears in Connect Savannah | February, 2023.