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MEMORIAL SOCIETY WELCOME NEW MONSIGNOR HUGH O’FLAHERTY NOVEL FOR YOUNGER READERS

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The Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society welcomes a new novel based on the Msgr’s life story - for the younger reader – titled “Leo’s War” it’s author Patricia Murphy has written many historically based books for the young reader, including the best-selling “Molly’s Diary” dealing with the 1916 Rising.

Jerry O’Grady of the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society said, “We are absolutely delighted to see the publication of this book aimed at the younger reader. The author Patricia Murphy credits Colm O’Suilleabhain (Principal of The Mon), with suggesting the book. Three of her nephews had attended The Mon” and when Patricia visited the school a couple of years ago to talk to the 6th class, Principal Colm suggested she might next take on the challenge of writing about their “Mon Hero” – Hugh O’Flaherty.  Patricia quietly took up Colm’s challenge culminating in the publication of this exciting new novel for 9 - 12-year olds”

As Pope Francis visits Dublin this August 2018, Poolbeg Press is delighted to announce the publication of Leo’s War by bestselling author Patricia Murphy, based on the real-life exploits of the courageous Irish priest known as “The Vatican Pimpernel”, in World War 2.

Leo’s War is based on the astonishing true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, the Irish Oscar Schindler who saved over 6,500 lives during the German occupation in Rome during the Second World War.

Told through the eyes of a twelve-year-old boy it is a dramatic rollercoaster of extraordinary human courage against the darkest evil by the bestselling author of Molly’s Diary.

“Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty is one of Ireland’s greatest humanitarians, honoured by The United States, Britain, Israel and Italy after the war, yet he is hardly a household name,” said publisher Paula Campbell. “Poolbeg is thrilled to bring his story to a new generation of children. And it’s a nail- biting page turner full of dramatic events that will have readers enthralled.”

Synopsis

It’s 1943 and young Leo tries to protect his disabled sister Ruby as the Nazis invade Italy.  After his mother is arrested, he turns to Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty to save them.  But he is no ordinary priest.  Known as ‘The Pimpernel of the Vatican’, the Monsignor is the legendary organizer of the Rome Escape Line.  Soon Leo is helping out with this secret network dedicated to saving the lives of escaped prisoners of war, partisans and Jews.  But as the sinister Nazi leader Kappler closes in on the network, can Leo and his sister stay out of his evil clutches?

“The more I learned about Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, the more I admired him,” said author Patricia Murphy. “He is a role model for our time – courageous, ingenious and ecumenical. Time after time he put his own life in the line for British, American and Russian prisoners of war, Italian partisans and persecuted Jews. His compassion reached across borders and divisions. I am not an expert in these matters but as he visits our shores, it would be great if the pope could pay tribute to this remarkable Irishman in some way.”

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Parnell commemorated in Beaufort on 125th Anniversary of Land League meeting

A special ceremony was held in Beaufort to mark the 125th anniversary of Charles Stewart Parnell’s historic visit to the village in 1880, when the Irish nationalist leader addressed thousands […]

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A special ceremony was held in Beaufort to mark the 125th anniversary of Charles Stewart Parnell’s historic visit to the village in 1880, when the Irish nationalist leader addressed thousands at a pivotal land reform meeting.

The commemoration, which took place beside the Beaufort Bar, honoured the legacy of the former MP and founder of the Irish National Land League.
The original meeting was held in a field belonging to Patrick O’Sullivan and attracted a crowd of approximately 3,000, defying the orders of local landlord ‘The O’Mahony’ of Dunloe Castle, who had threatened eviction to any tenant who supported the gathering.
Padruig O’Sullivan, proprietor of the Beaufort Bar and a direct descendant of Patrick O’Sullivan, addressed attendees at the unveiling of a new monument to mark the occasion.
The stone was designed by renowned uilleann piper and artist Tomás O’Sullivan, who also composed a special piece of music titled Parnell’s Blackbird to honour the occasion.
The original 1880 meeting was reported in publications such as the ‘Dundalk Democrat’, which gave a vivid account of the powerful speeches delivered that day.

Extract from the Dundalk Democrat – May 1880

The meeting, held on Sunday, May 16, 1880 in Patrick O’Sullivan’s field south of the Beaufort Hotel, was arranged in defiance of local landlord ‘The O’Mahony,’ who warned tenants they would be evicted for taking part. Nevertheless, the turnout was overwhelming.
Parnell arrived by special train and travelled by carriage from Killarney with fellow MP ‘The O’Donoghue’. The two were met by a band and a large welcoming crowd. Police and a Government reporter were present, but the atmosphere remained peaceful and spirited.
Speakers rallied against the unjust land laws of the time. ‘The O’Donoghue’ praised Parnell as the “shining star” of Irish nationalism and stated that “Kerry desired that her meeting should partake of a national character.”
When Parnell spoke, he described it as “the largest land meeting he had attended since County Mayo” and declared the movement to reclaim Irish land as one of the greatest undertakings in Irish history. He condemned the laws that allowed landlords to evict tenants and seize food as rent payment, noting that 600,000 farmers were subject to the whims of just 10,000 landlords.
He called for legislative reform, including the suspension of evictions and Government-backed tenant purchase schemes, warning that if Parliament failed to act, “the people will do for themselves what the Legislature refuses to do for them.”
He concluded by proposing the first resolution.
“That in the opinion of this meeting, the eviction of occupiers of land for non-payment of rent arbitrarily fixed by the landlord is unjust, subversive of the true interests of the country and calls for the emphatic condemnation of all lovers of justice.”

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St Pauls sign American Maisie Burnham

Killarney’s Utility Trust St Pauls women’s basketball team has announced the signing of American player Maisie Burnham for the upcoming 2025/2026 season. The club, who performed strongly in the latter […]

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Killarney’s Utility Trust St Pauls women’s basketball team has announced the signing of American player Maisie Burnham for the upcoming 2025/2026 season.

The club, who performed strongly in the latter part of the recent season and reached the league final, is looking to build on that success.
Maisie Burnham, a 24-year-old, six-foot-tall guard from Spangle City, Washington, comes to Killarney with a strong playing record. During her time at Liberty High School, where she also played volleyball, she was a high-scoring player.
She then went to Eastern Washington University, where in the 2020/2021 season, she led the team in scoring with over 14 points per game, a record for a freshman player at the university.
Burnham later moved to the University of Portland, where her scoring average continued to improve, reaching a peak of 16.3 points per game in the 2024/2025 season.
Utility Trust St Pauls say they are looking forward to welcoming Maisie to Killarney well in advance of the new season.

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