As online kick-off to the St. Patrick's Day season, the re-imagined Irish history and heritage website the Wild Geese goes live Saturday, March 9 at 9 a.m. at www.TheNewWildGeese.com with a seven-hour digital launch party, featuring contests, prizes, online panels and an open invitation to connect, chat and collaborate with others around the world who cherish the epic history of the Irish worldwide.

All the events of the day and benefits of the site are open to all who sign-up, for free, as Wild Geese members. Members can set up their own personal pages, begin blogging on their Irish topics of interest, create groups around their Irish passions, share videos, photos and music, or join existing groups that match their interests.

On "Launch Day," members will participate in live panel discussions and Q&A with subject-matter experts and devotees, with six sessions focused on travel, cooking, genealogy, the legacies of Ireland’s Cillini and Magdalene Laundry abuses, and the Irish who fought in America’s Civil War.  

Festivities hosted on the redesigned site will include a members-only prize drawing of Irish-themed film posters, jewelry, CDs and books every hour and contests for members that will be judged by members, including:

*Tell Us Your Irish Story, where members post their personal takes, or stories, on epic Irish history.

*The Irish Experience -- Freeze Frame! Here, members share photos they’ve shot, and voters (fellow members) acknowledge their favorite iconic images of the global Irish community among those uploaded.

Saturday's launch is the culmination of more than 15 years of dedication to preserving, exploring and discussing the great themes of Irish history and heritage, in Ireland and among the world's 70 million of Irish descent. The (New) Wild Geese re-emerges with its rich historical and narrative content showcased on a sharp, contemporary-looking, easy-to-navigate site and with compelling new community and social-sharing capabilities that encourage members to research, write and broadcast articles and multimedia and post events focused on their own Irish interests to a passionate worldwide community.

"As a Wild Geese member, you'll be able to participate in exclusive forums, video and teleconferences and other dynamic learning experiences for free, as well as enjoy concierge services connecting you to heritage products, events and services to best fit your needs," executive producer Gerry Regan said.  

The Wild Geese explores, promotes, preserves and celebrates the epic heritage of the Irish around the world through compelling content, evolving technologies, a dynamic community, and collaborative marketing connections.