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Dear Irish Dancing Families:
We are very excited to be hosting this year's Southern Region Oireachtas in Atlanta,
Georgia. Historically Atlanta is strongly associated with the Irish, with many well
established Irish businessmen, tradesmen and farmers at a time when some cities
still restricted immigration and settlement of the Irish.
The Irish have always been an integral part of Atlanta. The Hibernian Benevolent
Society of Atlanta was founded in 1858 to help the newest wave of immigrating Irish.
An Irish priest, Father O'Reilly, saved the churches and other parts of Atlanta
from General Sherman's armies during the Civil War.
Margaret Mitchell, famed author of Gone With The Wind, wrote about her Atlanta
Irish ancestors. Her Great Aunts, the Fitzgeralds, lived in Clayton County at a
place called Rural Home. This was the place that became Tara in the novel. A visit
to The Margaret Mitchell House is one of many opportunities to round out your weekend.
In addition to Atlanta "natives", a huge migration from the traditional northern
Irish cities has brought thousands of Irish and their descendants to booming Atlanta.
- Almost 40% of Georgians claim Irish heritage.
- More than 1,000,000 Metro Atlanta residents
claim Irish descent.
- Atlanta ranks as the 7th largest "Irish
City" in North America.
This year’s Oireachtas promises to be the
biggest ever. We know everyone is working hard to prepare and we look forward to
outstanding dancing and celebration of Irish culture.
Welcome everyone!
Russell Beaton – Co-chairman
Karl Drake – Co-chairman
Michael O’Hara – Southern Region Director
Lisa Cregan
Eileen Evans
Jessie O’Sullivan
Rowena Ryan
Mary Ujda
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