Memorials planned for Munster’s first world war victims

THE thousands of Munster men who died in the first world war are to be honoured at separate events in Cork and Kerry.

President Mary McAleese will soon unveil a new memorial in Killarney to hundreds of soldiers from the area who died fighting for the Allies in Belgium, France, Gallipoli and the Dardanelles between 1914 and 1918.

A memorial has been erected at the site of the existing Munster Fusiliers’ monument, in the heart of Killarney.

A book of remembrance with the soldiers’ names, where they served, and information on whether they survived, or died, is also being compiled.

“The book will be available for inspection in Killarney Town Hall and Killarney library. The organising committee is anxious to include as many names as possible in the book,” said committee member Michael Courtney.

Anyone with information on those who served in the war is asked to contact the committee.

In Cork, the lord mayor, Brian Bermingham, has announced details of a Remembrance Day concert in City Hall on November 8 to honour the memories of the estimated 2,600 Corkmen who died in the first world war.

Patrons have been invited to attend in period dress and compere Michael Twomey will conduct proceedings in the style of Leonard Sachs who hosted The Good Old Days.

The Barrack Street Brass and Reed Band, and pipers and trumpeters from the Defence Forces will be among the performers.

Meanwhile, a permanent memorial to the late Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, who helped more than 6,500 people escape certain death during the second world war, is to be erected in Killarney.

Monsignor O’Flaherty grew up in Killarney where his father, James, was the steward of the local golf club, in Deerpark. He studied for the priesthood in Rome and was ordained in 1925.

A skilled diplomat, he served the Vatican in Egypt, Haiti, San Domingo and Czechoslovakia, but his main claim to fame was how he helped save thousands of people from the Nazis in Rome during the second world war.

Monsignor O’Flaherty’s relatives — including his nephew, retired Supreme Court Judge Hugh O’Flaherty, and niece, Pearl Dineen — have welcomed plans for the memorial.

Ms Dineen said they really appreciated that something was at last being done to honour him.

“He was an excellent uncle and we are very proud of him. He was wonderful to us,” she said.

The late Gregory Peck, whose grandmother came from the Dingle peninsula, starred in a film based on the wartime feats of Monsignor O’Flaherty, The Scarlet and the Black.

The monsignor spent the last three years of his life in Caherciveen, where he died in 1963.