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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