GEORGIA SOUTHERN HOSTS GEORGIA STATE LEADERS AT WEXFORD CAMPUS IN IRELAND
A delegation of Georgia state leaders made their first visit to Georgia Southern University’s Wexford Campus in Ireland this past academic year. The overseas campus has been a major booster of educational, civic, business and trade opportunities between Ireland’s southeast region and the state of Georgia since its establishment in 2022.
“We hosted legislators and leaders of industrial development and enterprise organizations,” said Howard Keeley, Ph.D., director of Georgia Southern’s Center for Irish Research and Teaching (CIRT). “These Georgia stakeholders believe that what Georgia Southern is doing in Ireland is important. One of the major concepts behind the Wexford Campus is that it’s a true campus, not just a study-abroad venue.”
The attendees included U.S. Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter of Georgia; Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson and five members of his senior staff; as well as senior officials from electrical utilities, including Georgia Power; Trip Tollison, CEO of Savannah Economic Development Authority; Teresa MacCartney, chief operating officer for the University System of Georgia; and Georgia state Rep. James Burchett (’04), along with 10 additional members of the Georgia House of Representatives.
“The main thing we wanted to do is show them what the student experience is like,” said Keeley. “We care about our students, and, using philanthropic funds, we’ve invested in a beautiful set of buildings, including one built in 1886, that will house 50 students at a time. Each year, our goal is full capacity over six minimesters for a total of 300 Georgia Southern students. Historically a religious convent, that structure should open in spring 2026, after extensive remodeling.
Many Georgia Southern students, including construction management and interior design majors, are gaining valuable professional skills by contributing to the endeavor.”
Beyond the campus, the group explored Johnstown Castle, an environmental and
in a beautiful set of buildings, including one built in 1886, that will house 50 students at a time. Each year, our goal is full capacity over six minimesters for a total of 300 Georgia Southern students. Historically a religious convent, that structure should open in spring 2026, after extensive remodeling. Many Georgia Southern students, including construction management and interior design majors, are gaining valuable professional skills by contributing to the endeavor.”
Beyond the campus, the group explored Johnstown Castle, an environmental and agricultural research center and heritage venue, as well as the Dunbrody Emigration Experience Center, whose newest permanent exhibition, “Savannah Landing,” is based on research by Georgia Southern students. The work highlights more than 170 years of historical ties that connect Savannah and Wexford, where hundreds boarded ships and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to arrive in Georgia’s coastal city in the mid 19th century. The centerpiece project, which was celebrated by the Irish prime minister at a ribbon-cutting last August, was made possible by $832,000 in research-grant funding, secured by the Dunbrody Center and CIRT. The legislative group also met with Georgia Southern’s Irish partners, who shared what this relationship means to the people of Wexford and its hinterland, southeast Ireland.
“Georgia Southern’s footprint in southeastern Ireland is an important one for students and for the state of Georgia,” said Rep. Burchett. “The strides they are making not only allow students to participate in research in engineering, coastal sustainability, history and other important areas of study, but they also directly drive trade and investment opportunities between the southeastern regions of Georgia and Ireland. This was an amazing visit and we value our friendships within the Irish community.”
—MELANIE SIMÓN
