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Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award 2018
This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the formation of The Rome Escape Line and the 11th year of the Memorial Commemoration of the Monsignor. It is organised annually to raise awareness of 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. On October 30th, 2013, on the 50th anniversary of the Monsignor’s death a permanent memorial to the Monsignor was unveiled in Killarney town centre. The memorial is a life-size sculpture of the Monsignor by Valentia based artist Alan Ryan Hall. On May 8th, 2016, a Plaque commemorating the Monsignor was unveiled at the German College, Vatican City, Rome where he lived from 1938 until 1960 and from where he organised the WW2 Rome Escape Line.
Earlier this year, a “shortlist” of seven Nominations was submitted to the Independent Award Panel for consideration as potential recipients of the 2018 Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award. The Award will be presented by Killarney Mayor John Sheahan at the Award Ceremony in Killarney on Saturday November 3rd during the 11th Annual Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Weekend.
The 2018 Award is very different from previous Awards. Since its inception in 2009, although open to individuals and organisations, the Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award has always been presented to individual Humanitarian recipients, - the 2017 recipient was Loreto Sr Orla Treacy from South Sudan. This year for the first time, the Humanitarian Award does not go to an individual nor indeed to one humanitarian organisation, but to a collective of three Humanitarian Organisations under the heading of Ireland’s Rescue Services. The three organisations to receive the 2018 Humanitarian Award are:
• Irish Coast Guard (Including Community & Local Rescue Services).
• The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution).
• KMRT (Kerry Mountain Rescue Team).
Chair of the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society Jerry O’Grady said, “This was unquestionably the most unusual nomination we have received over the last 10 years – It brought into focus the incredibly selfless humanitarian work done by the members of these organisations, the great majority of whom are unpaid volunteers”. The key point of the original nomination read, “Be it windswept high mountains, dangerous shorelines or stormy seas, when called upon, at a moment’s notice and without regard for the race or creed of those in need, they put their lives on the line to help others. Over the years, members of these rescue organisations have lost their lives while attempting to save others”.
The venue for the 2018 Award Ceremony will be confirmed later. The Memorial Weekend Programme will include an extensive Photo & Memorabilia Exhibition in Killarney Library which will run from Friday November 2nd to Saturday November 10th inclusive.
Killarney hotels achieve top global rankings in Readers’ Choice Awards
Two leading Killarney hotels are celebrating major international accolades following the publication of the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Killarney Royal Townhouse was named the No. 2 Hotel in Ireland in the US edition of the global awards, securing top placement among the country’s finest properties based entirely on votes cast by international travellers.
Pat McGrath, General Manager of Killarney Royal Townhouse, expressed his pride in the achievement:
“We are absolutely delighted to be recognised as the No. 2 Hotel in Ireland in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. To receive this recognition directly from travellers makes it particularly special, and we are immensely proud of our team, whose genuine care, warm welcome and attention to detail shape the guest experience every day.”
Meanwhile, sister property The Killarney Park achieved a double success in this year’s voting, earning inclusion across both Atlantic editions of the prestigious travel guide. The family-owned venue was ranked No. 8 in the US Readers’ Choice Awards and No. 5 in the UK Readers’ Choice Awards.
The annual awards represent one of the travel industry’s longest-running honors, with almost 800,000 readers submitting votes to rate their favorite global travel experiences.
Marcus Treacy, Managing Director of The Killarney Park, welcomed the dual honors:
“Recognition such as this means a great deal to us because it comes directly from the people who have spent their time with us. As a family-owned hotel, knowing that what we have created here in Killarney continues to resonate with guests travelling from around the world is something we are enormously proud of.”
The strong showing by both local venues underlines Killarney’s standing as a world-class hospitality hub for international visitors.
Paralympic legend Jason Smyth visits St Brendan’s
World renowned Paralympian and world record holder Jason Smyth paid a visit to St Brendan’s College on Wednesday afternoon as part of a high profile visit to Killarney.
The six time Paralympic gold medallist spoke to second year students from St Brendan’s College, alongside students from neighbouring schools St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School and Killarney Community College.
The interactive talk and interview took place ahead of World Sight Day, with the legendary sprinter sharing his personal journey with Stargardt disease, a genetic eye condition that left him legally blind at eight years old.
The Derry native, who holds the world record as the fastest Paralympian on earth over 100 metres, offered inspiring insights into overcoming physical adversity and achieving success at the highest level of world sport.
The school visit formed the opening leg of his Killarney schedule before he took centre stage later on Wednesday evening at The Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa.
Smyth headlined An Evening with Paralympian Jason Smyth, an event organised by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce as part of its winter schedule, sponsored by AIB.
Killarney hotels achieve top global rankings in Readers’ Choice Awards
Killarney hotels achieve top global rankings in Readers’ Choice Awards Two leading Killarney hotels are celebrating major international accolades following...
Paralympic legend Jason Smyth visits St Brendan’s
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