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Vatican Pimpernel strides centre stage in Killarney

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9 years ago

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Killarney actor Donal Courtney dressed as Msgr Hugh O'Flaherty (the Vatican Pimpernel) striding through St Brendan's College ahead of performing his own one man show on the famed monsignor in the INEC Killarney on Kerry Culture night September 16. The actor held a prelude of his show for transition students in the college on Monday. PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE
Killarney actor Donal Courtney dressed as Msgr Hugh O'Flaherty (the Vatican Pimpernel) striding through St Brendan's College ahead of performing his own one man show on the famed monsignor in the INEC Killarney on Kerry Culture night September 16. The actor held a prelude of his show for transition students in the college on Monday. PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE

K

KILLARNEY actor Donal Courtney strode through the corridors of St Brendan’s College today as he portrayed one of the college’s most illustrious past pupils, Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. Donal presented his one-man show based on the life of the monsignor to transition year students in the college as a prelude to his show at the INEC this Friday evening.

Known as the Vatican Pimpernel, Monsignor O’Flaherty and his colleagues saved over 6,500 lives during World War Two.

His fellow Killarney native Donal Courtney will perform the play God Has No Country at the INEC Acoustic Club on Friday, September 16. The performance is part of the national programme of events for Culture Night 2016 and admission is free.

God Has No Country tells the story of the struggles encountered by Kerryman Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty and his colleagues in Rome during the Second World War. The story follows O’Flaherty’s torment as he decides to act in defence of those suffering under the tyranny of the fascists.

The play also reflects on his upbringing and education in Killarney and how joining the priesthood protected him from involvement in The War of Independence. Told with humour and sensitivity, God Has No Country brings the heroic deeds and achievements of this extraordinary man to a wider audience.

The performance is followed by a post-show discussion between writer Aidan O’Connor and creator of the show Donal Courtney. Donal will discuss his personal connections to the story, the challenges faced in creating the piece and various other insights into the Hugh O’Flaherty story.

Culture Night is brought to you by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in partnership with Kerry County Council. Tickets for God Has No Country are free of charge but must be reserved by phoning the INEC Box Office on 064-6671555. Doors open at 7pm and the play commences at 8pm.
 

 
Killarney actor Donal Courtney dressed as Msgr Hugh O'Flaherty (the Vatican Pimpernel) striding through St Brendan's College ahead of performing his own one man show on the famed monsignor in the INEC Killarney on Kerry Culture night September 16. The actor held a prelude of his show for transition students in the college on Monday.
PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE

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Killarney welcomes home Kevin ‘The Kingdom Warrior’ Cronin

Boxer Kevin ‘The Kingdom Warrior’ Cronin received a warm homecoming in Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar on College Street on Sunday evening following his victory in Dublin last weekend, where he was […]

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3 hours ago

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18 October 2025

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Boxer Kevin ‘The Kingdom Warrior’ Cronin received a warm homecoming in Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar on College Street on Sunday evening following his victory in Dublin last weekend, where he was crowned Irish Light Heavyweight Champion.

Mayor of Killarney Cllr Martin Grady was on hand to officially welcome the new champion home, congratulating him on what he described as “a proud moment for Killarney and for Kerry sport.”
Cronin, who is sponsored by Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar, claimed the vacant national title after a hard-fought ten-round battle against Cork’s Cathal Crowley at the National Stadium, Dublin, on Friday night last.
The Kerry fighter won by majority decision, with the judges scoring the contest 95-94, 97-93 and 95-95. The result capped off years of dedication and hard work for Cronin, who now holds an 11-3-1 professional record.
Speaking at the homecoming, Cronin thanked his supporters and sponsors for their backing throughout his career.
“It’s unbelievable to bring this title to Kerry,” he said. “The support from home means everything. This one’s for everyone who’s been with me from the start.”
Crowds packed into Jimmy O’Brien’s Bar to celebrate the achievement, with music, photos and plenty of local pride on display.

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Concerns over future of St Mary of the Angels

Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for […]

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22 hours ago

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17 October 2025

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Two Kerry TDs have voiced concerns over the future of St Mary of the Angels and St Francis Special School in Beaufort, highlighting the urgent need for respite services for children and adults with profound disabilities and special needs.

The campus, set on lands generously donated by the Doyle family, offers 30 acres of grounds, existing buildings, and services, making it a valuable asset for the provision of respite care in Kerry. TD Michael Cahill emphasized that the Doyle family’s wishes should be respected, and that the grounds should be made accessible immediately.
“The special needs community in Kerry has a major respite crisis and families don’t have time to wait. Families need help — they are not asking for full-time residential care but respite care, a break, a helping hand,” Deputy Cahill said.
He added that a bespoke approach is needed to meet the individual needs of children attending St Francis Special School. “Many of the children in the county with profound needs need a safe haven where they can roam the grounds freely, and St Mary of the Angels offers this.”
Deputy Cahill has accompanied several Ministers to the Beaufort campus to highlight its value to Disability Health Service providers. A working group has been formed including St John of Gods, the HSE, representatives of residents at St Mary of the Angels, and St Francis Special School, to explore options for maintaining and expanding respite services.
“Parents are worn out and at the end of their tether. This needs to be dealt with expeditiously, in an environment of cooperation between the relevant Government Departments of Health, Disability, and Education. We need to get this across the line urgently and put it permanently in place,” he said.
Deputy Cahill pointed to the current shortfall of respite services in Kerry. “As of now, Cunamh Iveragh respite in Cahersiveen is only open Friday to Sunday, running at half capacity — two adults per night instead of four. The issue is staffing, and the HSE will not release funding to open full-time. The Beaufort campus is available and should be utilised as parents are crying out for overnight respite. Cooperation and compassion could see this done quickly.”
TD Danny Healy Rae echoed these concerns during a Dáil speech this week. “We are still short of respite beds on the southern side of the constituency. Families caring for people with disabilities just want a break, but there is nowhere available locally. Places are being offered only in Tipperary or Meath for those needing new residential care. It makes no sense. St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort has 40 or 50 acres of grounds that could be expanded, with facilities already in place such as swimming pools. It could be developed as a model for the rest of the country.”
Both TDs are urging the Government and the HSE to take immediate action to utilise the Beaufort campus for respite care, in line with the intentions of the Doyle family and the needs of Kerry families.

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