Hugh O Flaherty Memorial

22 April, 2014

As part of the 7th annual Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Weekend, which will take place from November 14^th to 16^th in Killarney, The Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society are inviting the public and companies to nominate the person or organisation they feel is doing outstanding humanitarian work and most deserving of the 2014 Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award.                                                                   

Last years winner was presented posthumously to Donal Walsh, that brave young man who despite his own imminent passing at such a young age, reached out to those who were troubled by thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

His selfless and incredibly touching message resonated throughout Ireland and indeed the wider world.  Previous award recipients included the Darfur based Goal aid workers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki in 2009, Columban Missionary Fr Michael Synott in 2010, Trócaire’s Regional Director for Latin America, Sally O’Neill in 2011 and,  Sr Agnes Hunt of the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas in 2012.

Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, who was from Killarney, was dubbed the Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican for his exploits during World War II.  During the course of the war he was instrumental in saving the lives of more than 6,500 Jews and American and British soldiers by hiding them from the Gestapo in a number of safe houses throughout Rome. 

Nominations for the 2014 Humanitarian Award are invited from: 

·       The General Public,

·       Humanitarian NGOs operating at home or overseas,

·       Humanitarian & Related Societies in 3^rd level Educational Institutions

Nominations can be for an:  Individual a Team or an Organisation Providing Humanitarian Services for those in need at home or overseas.

Nominations should be submitted in writing to the Awards Committee at the below address, in no more than 500 words before Friday June 27^th 2014. The Nomination should clearly outline the reasons why the nominator feels that the nominated Individual/Team/Organisation, merits consideration for this award. 

An independent panel will fully consider the nominations received and will recommend a recipient to the Memorial Committee.  The 2014 Award recipient will be announced in August and will be presented on Saturday November 15^th 2014 during the 7^th Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Week.

Further Information / Submissions of Nominations:

Jerry O’Grady

Chairman

Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society

c/o Killarney Chamber of Commerce

2^nd Floor TIO Building

Beech Road

Killarney

Co. Kerry

IRELAND