Hugh O‘Flaherty International Humanitarian Award 2013 Recipient Announced – Donal Walsh, RIP Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Week 27th October – 3rd November 2013

26 September 2013

Hugh O‘Flaherty International Humanitarian Award

2013 Recipient Announced –

Donal Walsh, RIP

Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Week

27th October – 3rd November 2013

On 25th September at a special event in the St Stephens Green Club in Dublin it was announced that the 2013 Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award would be awarded posthumously to Donal Walsh, RIP,  the Kerry teenager who shortly before he died in May of this year, used his remaining weeks to highlight the issue of suicide among young people.   The Award was presented to Donal’s family by the Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Paddy Courtney, with a keynote address by David Dalton, CEO of Plan Ireland in Killarney on Saturday 2nd November at an Award Ceremony in the Killarney Plaza Hotel.  The announcement was made at the Dublin launch of the of the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Week which takes place from Sunday  27th to Sunday 3rd November with a wide range of events and activities to honour the Monsignor, a highlight of which is The Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award.  Present at tonight’s launch were Donal’s parents Elma and Finbarr Walsh and his uncle Kieran, along with members of the Hugh O’Flaherty Committee and members of the Hugh O’Flaherty family.

This year marks the sixth year of the memorial to the Monsignor, organised to raise awareness for the Humanitarian work carried out by the Monsignor, when during WW2, together with his colleagues in the Rome Escape Line, he saved over 6,500 people from the clutches of the Nazis who had occupied Rome at the time.  This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Monsignor’s death and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Rome Escape Line and these anniversaries will be remembered with the unveiling of a permanent memorial to the Monsignor in Killarney town centre, a life-size sculpture of the Monsignor by artist Alan Hall.  This will take place on Wednesday 30th October; the anniversary of the Monsignor’s death.

Over the past few months Irish NGO’s and the general public have been invited to nominate people, who they felt had displayed the same ideals and principals of the Monsignor and would be deserving of this Award.   This year for the first time in the history of the Awards, the recipient was nominated by several people including Donal’s uncle, Kieran Walsh. 

In his submission Kieran stated “Donal was my nephew and his bravery in bringing to light a national discussion on suicide in teenagers is indeed something we are very proud of.  I know that while his message has been widely heard in Munster and Ireland, I was particularly surprised recently while attending a business meeting in central London.  I was approached by a very successful Indian business man, his comments were simple; he asked me how does a kid that age get to be so wise? This highlighted to me that although Donal bravery has certainly been appreciated with much wider appeal.  Faced the illness with incredible strength, he used it so communicate a message to young and old on the appreciation of life and looking for help in troubled time.”

 Jerry O’Grady, who is Chairperson of the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Committee, stated “We had so many very worthy recipients this year but as a committee we believe that this year belongs to Donal.  The selflessness he displayed, reaching out to people in need so deserves to be recognised.  Just like the Monsignor, Donal through his actions has saved lives and will continue to do so and we are honoured to be able to award Donal this award in November.”

As well as announcing this year’s recipient at tonight’s launch, guests were treated to a special performance of a new one man play based on the life of the Monsignor by Donal Courtney, which will premier in Killarney during the Memorial Week.  Donal, a Killarney native, is an acting coach with the Gaiety School of Acting.  Other key elements of the 2013 Memorial Programme were announced.

Joining the Walsh family in Killarney in November will be the Monsignor’s family and friends as well as decedents from the Rome Escape Line.  They will also be joined by the Monsignor’s biographers Brian Fleming and Stephen Walker.

Like most of the events and activities during the Memorial Week, admission to this Humanitarian Award Ceremony is free of charge; tickets are limited and are available from Killarney Chamber Office on Beech Road  (064) 6637928 / e-mail chamber@killarney.ie  or by emailing info@hughoflaherty.com.  Donations to the Memorial Fund will be gratefully received on the night.

More details on the Memorial Weekend as well as well as detailed information on the Monsignor’s life and work can be found on www.hughoflaherty.com

 

THE HUGH O’FLAHERTY MEMORIAL WEEK

(In association with “The Gathering”) 

SUNDAY OCT 27th to SUNDAY NOV 3rd 2013

 

NOW IN ITS 6th YEAR

 

Through the Annual Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Week the Memorial Committee will ensure the continuous promotion of the inspirational story of the Monsignor through various art forms i.e., Drama, Literature, Film and Art, etc. and through the awarding of the annual Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award.

Please support our efforts by becoming a Patron or a Friend of the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society – request details from info@hughoflaherty.com or by calling 064 6637928, giving your name & contact details.

 

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

6th ANNUAL  HUGH O’FLAHERTY MEMORIAL WEEK

SUNDAY OCTOBER 27th to SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3rd 2013

(In association with “The Gathering”)

 

Sunday Oct 27th

·         2.30pm to 3.30pm (approx.) Muckross Arboretum

o   Visit to the O’Flaherty Memorial Grove in Muckross Arboretum – Reading of Kennelly’s 1994 poem “O’Flaherty’s Trees” followed by Ceremonial Planting of Italian Trees & a talk by Cormac Foley on significance of the trees selected for the Memorial Grove.

·         3.30pm to 4.15pm - The Schoolhouse Muckross

o   Illustrated Talk by Michael O’Connor on “Killarney in O’Flaherty’s Time “(1909-1922) - Town & Citizens, Important Events, Important Visitors, Life at the time, etc.

o   Official Opening of Memorial Week by Micheal O’ Muircheartaigh

·         8.30pm  to 11.00pm (approx.) -  “Rome@The Malton” – Garden Room Restaurant

o   A relaxed evening with a five course “Italian Themed” menu, Wine and Song and perhaps a little “Drama”. Tickets €50 available from Killarney Chamber 064 6637928 or The Malton Hotel 064 6638000 (NB: Very Limited Availability)

 

Monday Oct 28th

·         6.30pm to 7.00pm -  “Bru-na-Pairce” - Deerpark

o   Unveiling of Commemorative Plaque – Bru-na-Pairce was the first O’Flaherty family home in Killarney and part of the original Killarney Golf Course.

·         7.30pm to 9.00pm - Malton Hotel

o   Screening TV Documentary “The Pimpernel of the Vatican” - (Igloo Films / TG4) followed by an Illustrated Account of the October 2012 Tour of Rome – Retracing O’Flaherty’s Footsteps. Admission Free.

 

Tuesday Oct 29th

·         10.00am to 11.00am (approx.) Killarney Library

o   Opening of Hugh O’Flaherty Photo & Memorabilia Exhibition by Cllr. Paddy Courtney, Mayor of Killarney (The Exhibition will continue until Tues Nov 5th)

o   Literary & Art Award Winner Announcements  & Exhibition

·         7.30pm The Mangerton Room at the Malton Hotel – “God Has No Country” – Tickets €10.

o   First performance in Killarney of Donal Courtney’s new one man play on Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. Book tickets on 064 6637928 – Also available on the door (subject to availability)

 

Wednesday October 30th

·         10.00am to 6.00pm Killarney Library

o   Hugh O’Flaherty Photo & Memorabilia Exhibition

o   Literary & Art Award Winner Exhibition

·         3.00pm to 4.00.p.m (approx.)- Official Unveiling of Memorial on Mission Road

o   Official Unveiling of Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial by Mayor of Killarney Cllr. Paddy Courtney and subsequent unveiling of Memorial Plaques by representatives of the O’Flaherty, Derry and Chevalier families, a representative of the Kerry diaspora in London and members of the Memorial Committee.

 

·         4.00pm to 5.30pm Killarney Plaza Hotel - “Gathering” Reception for Families, Patrons & Friends

o   Reception for the O’Flaherty, Derry and Chevalier (Sands) families and Patrons & Friends of the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society and other Invited Guests.  Reception will include a 10 minute performance piece by Donal Courtney from his new one man play.

·         7.30pm The Mangerton Room at the Malton Hotel  – “God Has No Country” – Tickets €10.

o   Donal Courtney’s new one man play on Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. Book tickets on 064 6637928 – Also available on the door (subject to availability)

 

Thursday October 31st 

·         10.00am to 6.00pm Killarney Library

o   Hugh O’Flaherty Photo & Memorabilia Exhibition

o   Literary & Art Award Winner Exhibition

·         7.30pm The Mangerton Room at the Malton – “God Has No Country” – Final Night - Tickets €10.

o   Donal Courtney’s new one man play on Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. . Book tickets on 064 6637928 – Also available on the door (subject to availability)

 

Friday November 1st 

·         10.00am to 6.00pm Killarney Library

o   Hugh O’Flaherty Photo & Memorabilia Exhibition

o   Literary & Art Award Winner Exhibition

·         3.00pm to 5.00pm Walking Tour of Killarney Town – Killarney House & Knockreer

o   Guided Tour of Killarney followed by a reading / talk on Hugh O’Flaherty

 

Saturday November 2nd 

·         9.00am to 4.00pm (Approx.) – O’Flaherty Trail Coach Tour

o   Schedule to include various important sites in Killarney & South Kerry and the unveiling of a Commemorative Plaque at the O’Flaherty Mural and a previous family residence. Tour will also include a visit to the Monsignor’s grave in Cahersiveen and a refreshment break.

Note: Coach Seats @ €25 each, including refreshments, must be booked in advance on 064 6637928 on or before Thursday October 31st

·         10.00am to 6.00pm Killarney Library

o   Hugh O’Flaherty Photo & Memorabilia Exhibition

o   Literary & Art Award Winner Exhibition

·         11.00am + 1.00pm + 2.45pm  Deerpark Pitch & Putt Club (Weather Permitting)

o   18 Hole Pitch & Putt 50th Anniversary Hugh O’Flaherty Scramble – Shotgun Start 3 Ball Scramble on what was part of the original Killarney Golf Club where  Hugh O’Flaherty lived and learned how to play golf. Book teams & tee times on 087 7823138. Entrance Fee €15 Per Team.

·         8.00pm – The Killarney Plaza Hotel - 5th Annual Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award.

• Keynote Address
• Award Ceremony Presentation & Address by Mayor Paddy Courtney
• Address by or on behalf of Award Recipient

Note: Admission to the ceremony is free but places will be limited. Enquiries for tickets to Oonagh or Kellie on 064 6637928.

 

Sunday Morning Nov 3rd  

·         10.30am – St Mary’s Cathedral

o   “Special Oireachtas Mass” – 10.30am St. Mary’s Cathedral – Oireachtas 2013 is taking place in Killarney at the same time as the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Week.  The 10.30. Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral is a special mass in Irish for the Oireachtas delegates and the Monsignor will be remembered at the ceremony. 

 

·         08.00am to mid-afternoon – Killarney Golf & Fishing Club

o   The Hugh O’Flaherty Perpetual Cup Golf Competition. Entries to Killarney Golf & Fishing Club Members & Guests. (Details from Killarney Golf & Fishing Club 064 6631034)

 

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

 

The Secretary Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Committee

c/o Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce

2nd Floor Tourist Information Office

Beech Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Tel: +353 (0)64 6637928 / info@hughoflaherty.com

www.hughoflaherty.com