Connecting Notre Dame’s Irish community: The Wild Geese Project

The original article was written by Renée LaReau and published by the Keough School of Global Affairs.

For a small but notable subset of Notre Dame’s population, being “Irish” is more than just a mascot or a historic nickname—it’s a living, breathing identity. But for students moving from Ireland to South Bend for their college years, the transition to Notre Dame involves leaving behind family, community, and the familiar comforts and traditions of home.

To help Irish students, as well as faculty and staff from Ireland, feel more at home on campus, the Keough School’s Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies created The Wild Geese Project. Drawing inspiration from the historic “Wild Geese”—Irish soldiers and emigrants of the 17^th and 18^th centuries—the group provides a welcoming network of support for Notre Dame community members from Ireland.

Watch: The Wild Geese Project

Watch the video below to learn more about The Wild Geese Project, including everything from its competitive Gaelic sports matches to lively conversation in the Irish language.

Read the full article from the Keough School of Global Affairs ›

Notre Dame’s commitment to educating the whole person extends beyond the classroom, fostering communities where students from around the world can find connection, belonging, and support. Gifts to Notre Dame help create experiences like The Wild Geese Project, strengthening the relationships and traditions that make the Notre Dame student experience distinctive.