Celebrating Irish Dance: The Legacy of Savannah's Irish Dancers

In this episode of the Savannah Irish Podcast brought to you by The Savannah Irish Festival, host Tara Reese is putting on her dancing shoes with guests from Legacy Irish Dance: owner and teacher Abbey Wood, dance mom Jennifer Forbes (wife of 2024’s 200th Grand Marshal John Forbes), and students Keegan Forbes (12) and Faren Wood (9).

The episode highlights Irish dance as a vibrant part of Savannah’s Irish culture and a bridge between generations through performance, mentorship, and tradition beyond St. Patrick’s season.  Abbey shares how Legacy was founded after she moved to Savannah to teach when visiting instructors could no longer fly in, eventually growing the school into her full-time career.

She explains the meaning of “Legacy” as carrying forward a tradition created by those before her, noting she now teaches former students’ children and supports the community through scholarships and donated costumes. 

The group discusses how the school emphasizes discipline, resilience, teamwork, and learning to handle subjective outcomes, with Jennifer describing her daughter’s progression from starting at age three to training 5–6 hours per week and performing at many seasonal events. Keegan reflects on dancing during her father’s Grand Marshal year and her upcoming competition trip to Ireland. Abbey also recounts a recent performance opportunity at the White House for the annual pot of shamrocks ceremony, including extensive security, a stage near the Rose Garden, interactions with the President and the Irish Prime Minister, and Michael Flatley filming and applauding the dancers.

AND SPECIAL NOTE: During the recording, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce representatives surprise the producers of the Savannah Irish Podcast - Dee Daniels Media - with the Savannah Area Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year award.

The Savannah Irish Podcast is proudly supported by The Irish Pub Company - the ‘Official Partner of the Guinness Irish Pub Concept’ which means that they are rated as the best in the world at creating the most profitable and authentic Irish Hospitality Concepts. They design, manufacture and fit out your venue from start to finish.

Legacy Irish Dance: Building the legacy

Legacy Irish Dance Parent Association

Learn all about the Savannah Irish Festival

MEET our SHOW SPONSOR - The Irish Pub Company

MEET our PRODUCTION CREW: Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome to Season 3 + Why Irish Dance Matters in Savannah

00:54 Meet the Guests: Dance Mom, Teacher/Owner & Young Dancers

02:21 Surprise Interruption: Chamber ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ Reveal

04:32 How Legacy Irish Dance Was Founded (Abby’s Savannah Story)

06:50 Why It’s Called ‘Legacy’: Tradition, Community & Generations

08:49 Why Savannah Is the Perfect City for Irish Dance (Green Season & Shows)

11:37 Irish Dance as Culture: Music, Storytelling & Identity

14:34 Why Arms Stay Down: History, Tradition & Technique

17:48 Mentorship & Mindset: Competition, Character, and Life Lessons

23:38 Dance Mom Perspective: Starting Young, Balancing Activities & Weekly Hours

25:32 Green Season Schedule: How Many Performances Do They Really Do?

26:07 The Real Cost of Irish Dance Dresses (and How Families Make It Work)

28:37 Scholarships, Hand-Me-Downs & Community Support at Legacy

30:27 Meet the Dancers: When They Started & Why They Chose Irish Dance

32:32 Favorite Dances Explained: What a “Reel” Is (and Why It’s So Fun)

33:32 First Time on Stage: Nerves, Excitement & Irish Festival Memories

35:33 Hardest Moves to Master: “Birds,” “Rocks,” and Training Drills

38:28 Costumes, Crowns & Dancing for a Grand Marshal Dad

41:11 Dream Stages: Ireland, Championships & Inviting Frien