Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Weekend - Killarney - 14th – 16th November 2008

For more than 60 years the Humanitarian deeds of a very courageous and selfless Irish man have gone practically unnoticed in Ireland.  During World War II Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, a unique and innovative Kerry man was the instigator of an organisation in Rome that saved over 6,500 lives in Italy.  To make up for this great lack of acknowledgement in Ireland the weekend of 14th November has been dedicated as a Memorial to this great man, in his home town of Killarney.                   

The weekend will commence with a tribute lunch hosted by Killarney Chamber of Tourism at 12.30pm at the Malton Hotel, where a portrait of the Monsignor, by Cork Artist Stephen Murphy,  will be unveiled.  After lunch there will be the official opening of an Exhibition of Photographs and The Monsignor’s medals at the Killarney Outlet Centre which will be officially opened on Friday 14th by Paddy MacMonagle.

On Saturday 15th November the Monsignor will be awarded a posthumous Humanitarian Award and there will be a special screening of The Scarlet and the Black.  This will take place at 7.30pm at the Mangerton Suite at the Malton Hotel.  Tickets for this event are free of charge, but limited.  To receive a ticket simply email info@hughoflaherty.com or call into the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Office on Beech Road or phone (064) 31633.

On Sunday 16th there will be a Memorial Mass for the Monsignor at 12 noon at St Mary’s Cathedral with the Principal Celebrant Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza and a special performance by the Choir of The Mater Dei Institute.  On the same day at 3pm there will be an Official Road Naming Ceremony in Killarney town of the O’Flaherty Road, named in honour of the Monsignor.  The new road is just off Upper High Street and will eventually link High Street to St Mary’s Terrace.

More detailed information on the Monsignor’s life and a schedule of events and activities that are being planned to honour this great man can be found on www.hughoflaherty.com