National Convention Bid • Savannah, Georgia
Óró, sé do bheatha 'bhaile
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The Hostess City of the South is proud to present its bid to host the Ancient Order of Hibernians National Convention. A celebration of faith, friendship, and heritage — Where Irish Pride meets Southern Hospitality.
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Since the earliest days of her founding, Savannah was celebrating St. Patrick's Day. The city's tradition stretches back to 1813, making it one of the oldest and largest celebrations in the entire nation. Every March, nearly half a million visitors descend on this Georgia jewel — and the Irish-American community that makes it happen is woven into the city's very foundation.
From the Irish laborers who dug the Savannah River canals to the Catholic parishes that anchored the immigrant community, the story of Savannah is inseparable from the story of Irish America. The AOH has long been a part of that story. Bringing the National Convention to Savannah is not just a logistical choice — it is a homecoming.
Savannah's parade, first held in 1813, is one of the oldest in the United States — predating many of the nation's most famous Irish-American traditions and drawing hundreds of thousands each year.
The magnificent Cathedral, consecrated in 1876, stands as a testament to the faith and sacrifice of Savannah's Irish Catholic community — a fitting spiritual anchor for an AOH gathering.
Emmet Park on the Savannah riverfront honors Robert Emmet, Irish patriot and martyr. It is a place of pilgrimage for Irish-Americans who understand that our identity is rooted in those who came before.
Founded in 1883, the Savannah Division is the first Division founded in the Deep South and includes the first National President, Patrick J. O'Connor, among its many historically significant members.
Savannah is not merely a beautiful destination — it is a world-class convention city. The Savannah Convention Center, situated on the Savannah River, is one of the finest in the Southeast, offering expansive meeting space, a stunning waterfront setting, and seamless connections to the city's historic district, hotels, and dining. Every logistical need for a National Convention is met here with grace and style.
330,000 sq ft of flexible convention space directly on the Savannah River, with a full-service Westin and adjacent meeting venues.
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport offers direct flights from major hubs nationwide, with easy access from the Southeast corridor.
Thousands of hotel rooms within walking distance of the Convention Center, from major brands to boutique historic properties throughout the landmark district.
A nationally acclaimed food scene, legendary Southern hospitality, and a vibrant riverfront entertainment district — ideal for receptions, banquets, and fellowship.
Savannah's compact, pedestrian-friendly historic district means delegates can walk from hotels to convention venues to social events — a rare and prized logistical asset.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and numerous historic parishes offer sacred spaces worthy of the AOH's commitment to faith and devotion.
What makes the Savannah 2030 bid exceptional is not just the city — it is the people behind it. The Georgia and South Carolina State Boards of the Ancient Order of Hibernians have joined forces in an unprecedented partnership to present a unified, deeply experienced local team committed to making the National Convention an historic success.
Together, our states bring decades of organizational experience, deep civic relationships, and an unshakeable commitment to the Motto of the AOH — Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity. We know how to plan. We know how to execute. And we know how to celebrate being Irish in America.
As host-state partners, the Georgia AOH brings direct relationships with Savannah's civic leadership, the Irish American Community, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Cathedral — ensuring seamless local coordination from the very start.
The South Carolina AOH brings organizational depth, experience coordinating major events, and strong ties to professional convention planning resources add veteran expertise and proven planning capacity to the bid team.
"We are not simply neighbors lending a hand. We are brothers and sisters in the Order, united by a shared conviction that Savannah in 2030 will be the finest National Convention in a generation."
The Savannah 2030 bid is proud to carry the full support of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians in both Georgia and South Carolina. The LAOH State Boards of both states stand united with their AOH counterparts in bringing this convention to life — because a gathering of this significance belongs to the entire Irish-American family.
Savannah is a city that welcomes everyone. Whether attending sessions, exploring the historic district, enjoying world-class dining, or simply strolling the moss-draped squares at dusk, there is something here for every delegate, spouse, and family member who makes the journey south.
The Georgia LAOH brings deep roots in Savannah's Irish-American community and enthusiastic support for a convention that honors the full breadth of our shared heritage and sisterhood.
The South Carolina LAOH joins as a committed partner in the bid, bringing organizational experience and a shared vision for a convention that celebrates faith, family, and Irish identity at every level.
Twenty-two landmark squares, antebellum architecture, and the largest National Historic Landmark District in America offer a living museum unlike any other convention city.
From the boutiques of Broughton Street to the galleries of the SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah offers world-class retail and cultural experiences steps from the convention.
Just eighteen miles from downtown, Tybee Island's beaches offer a perfect day-trip escape for families and delegates looking to unwind between sessions.
From ghost tours to riverboat cruises, Savannah's wealth of family activities ensures that every member of the party — young and old alike — will find something to love.
Every great convention begins with a great city, a great team, and a great reason to gather. Savannah 2030 offers all three. Here is why the Ancient Order of Hibernians should bring its National Convention to the banks of the Savannah River.
Savannah's Irish story stretches back to her very founding — through the first AOH Division in the Deep South, one of the nation's most historic St. Patrick's Day traditions, the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, and Emmet Park on the riverfront. No American city wears its Irish soul more openly. A National Convention here is not a visit — it is a return.
The Savannah Convention Center offers 330,000 square feet of premier event space on the Savannah River. Thousands of hotel rooms, a walkable historic district, direct air access from across the country, acclaimed dining and hospitality, and some of the South's most magnificent sacred spaces — Savannah has everything a National Convention demands, and then some.
Behind this bid stands a unified partnership of four state boards — the AOH and LAOH of both Georgia and South Carolina — bringing together experienced organizers, deep civic relationships, and an unshakeable commitment to the Motto of the AOH. This is not a bid on paper. This is a promise in the making, backed by the people who will be on the ground every step of the way.
Where Irish Pride meets Southern Hospitality.
Ancient Order of Hibernians • National Convention Bid • Savannah, Georgia • 2030