The Savannah Irish Festival
The Savannah Irish Festival is made up of the multiple Irish societies and organizations in the Savannah area. Thanks to these societies and organizations The Savannah Irish Festival continues to grow and is proud to be the kick off to Irish Season in Savannah, GA.
Meet The Savannah Irish Festival Committee
Deana Shores
Chair
Deana Shores is proud to come from a Savannah Irish family. Deana has been carried, pushed, or walked in every St. Patrick’s Day Parade from the time she was born. Deana has served many positions on the Savannah Irish Festival Committee. As well as serving as an officer with the Daughters of Ireland. Deana hopes that the Savannah Irish Community continues to support this Committee and its Festival for many more years to come! She is a wife and mother. Go Dawgs!
Christin Rouse
Vice Chair & Vendor Coordinator
Christin Sitgreaves Rouse is an Accounting Specialist for Dulany Industries in Savannah GA. She is a graduate of St. Vincent's Academy and has a bachelor’s in fine arts from AASU. She is a proud member of Daughters of Ireland. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and friends as well as photography, traveling, live music, and of course “Green Season” in Savannah. Christin has been the vendor coordinator for almost 3 years.
Tara Reese
Treasurer & Marketing Coordinator
Tara is the Member Relations Manager at the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of the Daughters of Ireland and is one of six co-founders of the Savannah GAA. Tara has chaired the Savannah Irish Festival since August 2020. Tara has also previously chaired the annual SCBLV Dining in the Dark event. Tara also sat on the Tourism Leadership Council awards committee in 2023, an organization she cares deeply about. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and time with friends and family.
Dori Sessoms
Secretary
Dori Sessoms is a Savannah native and has been in law enforcement for 26 years. She is currently employed with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System Police Department. Dori is a graduate of St.Vincent's Academy and attended Armstrong State College. She is married and has two sons. Dori is a member of the N.A.S.R.O., G.A.S.R.O., G.G.I.A., Daughters of Ireland, Savannah Irish Festival, and is President of The Police Emerald Society of Southeast Georgia. She enjoys time with family friends and her family. To Dori St.Patrick's Day isn’t just a day, It's a season! Erin Go Bragh
Walt Harper
Music Director
Walt moved to Savannah in 1986 while stationed at HAAF working on the weapon and sighting systems of the AH_64 Apache Helicopters. After getting out of the military, Walt got involved with the Irish-Catholic community serving on several Boards and Commissions with the City of Savannah. Walt is an Acolyte at the Cathedral Basilica and is active with the Knights of Columbus. Walt has served as Entertainment Director for the Savannah Irish Festival since 2017.
Terrie Osbourne
Committee Support
Terri is the 2023-2024 Daughters of Ireland President, past Irish Festival Committee Co-Chair, and current Vendor Coordinator. Terrie has volunteered with the Savannah Irish Festival Committee since 2015. Terrie is a graduate of St. Vincent’s Academy and currently works in the banking industry. She is also a breast cancer survivor.
Shirley Humphries
Volunteer Coordinator
Shirley was born and raised in Savannah Ga. She is semi-retired from Chatham County and was also in the banking industry. Shirley works part-time as a cashier at Publix. Shirley has been involved with the Irish Festival for 31 years working in various aspects of the festival. She is very involved with the Irish Community as a member of the Ladies Ancient Order on Hibernians, Daughters of Ireland, and the Savannah Irish Festival committee.