Hugh O Flaherty Memorial

02 October, 2013

After many years of fundraising the Statue of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty and the full installation will be unveiled as part of the Memorial Week on Wednesday 30th October, to mark the 50th anniversary of his death.

Eventually his memory will be properly preserved and his incredible story can be told to the many visitors to Killarney and Ireland - "God has no Country".

The Memorial week was launched by Mayor Paddy Courtney.

In his welcome address, School Principal Colm O’Suilleabhain said, “We were delighted when the Memorial Committee asked us again this year to host the launch of the Programme for the 6th Memorial Week, because it was in the “Old Mon” that the Monsignor received his initial Killarney education and the current Monastery school pupils and staff have officially adopted the Monsignor as their school hero”.

Chairman of the Memorial Society Jerry O’Grady said, “In addition to the strong connections with The Mon, it was vital that the Memorial Society nurtured the growing interest in the O’Flaherty story demonstrated by the students throughout Killarney, as the future promotion of his humanitarian example will very much rest with this and subsequent generations of young people”.

Mayor Paddy Courtney said, “The Elected Members and Staff of Killarney Town Council have worked closely with the Memorial Committee to ensure that this tremendous Memorial to Monsignor O’Flaherty will be in place for unveiling on the 50th Anniversary of his death and he is delighted to see such a comprehensive commemorative programme in place for this very special occasion for the people of Killarney and indeed Kerry”.

The 6th Memorial Week marks the 50th Anniversary of the death of the Monsignor and runs from Sunday October 27th to Sunday November 3rd and includes Drama, Music, Talks & Walks, Exhibitions, a Coach Tour, Unveilings, Pitch & Putt, Golf, the Award Ceremony and a special Oireachtas Mass at which the Monsignor will be remembered.

Some of the key elements of the week’s activities are:

• Sunday Oct 27th 3.30.p.m. – Official Opening at Muckross Arboretum & Schoolhouse by Michael O’Muircheartaigh
• Sunday Oct 27th 7.30.p.m. – Italian evening of food, wine, drama, music & song in the Garden Restaurant in the Malton Hotel – Tickets €50 – (very limited availability – enquiries 064 6637928).
• Tuesday Oct 29th 10.00. a.m. – Opening of the Memorabilia, Literary & Art Competition Exhibition at Killarney Library (The exhibition will remain until Tuesday Nov 5th).
• Tuesday October 29th 7.30.p.m. – Opening night of Donal Courtney’s new one man play “God Has No Country” based on the WW2 life of the Monsignor. Venue is The Mangerton Theatre at The Malton Hotel – Tickets €10 available from 064 6637928 (or at the door subject to availability). The play runs for 3 nights.
• Wednesday October 30th 3.00.p.m. – Official Unveiling of the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial on Mission Road.
• Saturday November 2nd 9.00.a.m. – O’Flaherty Trail Coach Tour of Killarney & South Kerry (€25 pp. including refreshments stop in Cahersiveen).
• Saturday November 2nd – At Deerpark Pitch & Putt Club a 50th Anniversary 3 Ball Scramble – Entrance €15 per 3 person team – Three shotgun starts – Booking 087 7823138
• Saturday November 2nd 8.00.p.m. – O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award Ceremony at the Killarney Plaza (admission is free but limited seats – enquiries to 064 6637928)
• Sunday November 3rd 10.30.a.m. – Special Oireachtas Mass St Mary’s Cathedral
• Sunday November 3rd – O’Flaherty Perpetual Cup Golf Competition – Killarney Golf Club (enquiries to 064 6631034).