The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Literary skills alive and well in Killarney
ONE would not be straying too far from the truth by presuming the future of literary excellence is amongst the youth of Killarney after Tuesday, when pupils scooped top prizes in the 2018 Hugh O’Flaherty Schools Literary Competition.
Mastering the art of writing and embodying the heroism of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty in their works was something pupils in Killarney have spent a number of weeks doing, and their talent was undoubted at a special prize-giving ceremony held at Killarney Library on Tuesday morning.
As part of a range of events held this year to celebrate the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Weekend, school pupils of Killarney were invited to enter poems and essays in a number of categories at both primary and secondary level.
With Killarney being the home of Monsignor Hugh, who passed away 55 years ago this month, his spirit was wholly captured by the pupils, whom the judges said “addressed the ‘hero’ aspect with diverse tributes in their essays, with the varying approaches and responses being truly heart-warming.”
The winner of this year’s second level school’s poetry category was transition year student in St Brigid’s Secondary School Killarney Laura Looney with her poem ‘A Humanitarian’s Point of View’.
One winner was not enough in the primary schools fifth/sixth class essay competition. Thus, the victory was shared between Holy Cross Mercy School sixth-class student Ciara O’Sullivan; and Brayden Slattery and Conor O’Grady, who are sixth-class students in The Monastery.
Brayden and Conor were also part of the win for The Monastery Primary School in the best primary school’s collective entries.
“Most entrants displayed a wish that Monsignor Hugh’s legacy of humanity, courage, care, intelligence, energy, selflessness and enormous forgiveness will forever inspire more heroes to follow with a stride on a road of heroic mission,” the judges added.
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Vice President Paul Sherry presented the prizes on the day and commended the young people and the event itself in sustaining the humanitarian message of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty.