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THE PRINCE OF WALES & THE ROME ESCAPE LINE

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During the recent visit to Killarney House & Gardens by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles met briefly with members of the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Committee.

To mark the Royal Visit and the 75th Anniversary of the creation of the WW2 Rome Escape Line by Killarney native Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, the Memorial Society presented the Prince with a boxed first edition copy of Major Sam Derry’s book “The Rome Escape Line”.

As a brief background to the book’s story, Memorial Society Chairman Jerry O’Grady brought Prince Charles through an album of images of the main characters from the time and from Nazi occupied Rome. These included an April 1945 copy of the London Gazette announcement by his grandfather King George VI, that Monsignor Hugh J O’Flaherty was being awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire), for his services to the Forces in Italy.

Jerry O’Grady said, “The Prince was delighted to accept this special edition of Sam Derry’s book and had a particular interest in the involvement of Sir D’Arcy Osborne, the then British Ambassador to the Holy See, saying that he had been a friend of his mother, Queen Elizabeth. He was also aware of the part played in this incredible story by Gestapo Chief Col. Herbert Kappler and quickly identified his image within the album”.

Jerry O’Grady added, “We were hoping that it might have been possible for the Prince and Duchess to pay a short visit to the nearby Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial, but Garda security considerations ruled this out.  However, we did show him some images of the Memorial and we were delighted to have had the opportunity to share our story with Prince Charles and introduce him to the Monsignor’s niece Pearl Dineen” 

Plans are being prepared to hold a special commemoration on June 4th, 2019 to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Rome and the effective winding up of The Rome Escape Line. 

Further Information: oflahertysociety2008@gmail.com 

Photos Courtesy Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society.

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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