Hugh O’Flaherty society reduces its annual programme

TWELVE years after it first began, the Hugh O’Flaherty Society in Killarney is to reduce its annual programme, citing resources, finance and logistics as its reasons.

The Hugh O’Flaherty Society was set up to honour the Kerry man who helped rescue thousands of Jews and Allied soldiers from the Nazis,.

The society met in early 2019 to review its activities, and at the time a decision was taken to reduce the future programme of activities after the 2019 Humanitarian Award Ceremony, which took place in June and which marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Rome.

This decision has now been announced, and for 2020 the Hugh O’Flaherty society will no longer undertake such an extensive programme.

In 2020, there will be no annual humanitarian award, but the society will continue to work with primary schools.

“For the foreseeable future, the memorial society will be confining its activities to continued interaction with Primary Schools in terms of competitions and with students at second and third levels as a resource for projects, dissertations etc. Also, we will continue to promote the Monsignor’s story through the Media and the Arts,” said Chairperson Jerry O’Grady.

“For a number of reasons such as resources, costs, logistics etc, a decision was taken to reduce the future programme.”

Since it was first formed, the society has undertaken a lot of work, including the erection of a permanent memorial to Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. Mr O’Grady also thanked everyone for their support over the 12 years.

“Over the last 12 years, with the greatly appreciated invaluable support of our patrons and friends, we have achieved our objectives and much more.”

Jerry O’Grady