The heroism of a County Kerry Monsignor during World War II is to be documented in a children's book later this month. The book, which is written by author Alison Walsh, will document the life of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, the Killarney born monsignor who helped save the lives of over 6,500 Jews by allowing them to hide in the Vatican during the war.
The book, entitled Hugh O'Flaherty His Wartime Adventures, and published by Collins Press, is due for release later this month at a cost of €6.99 and is a children's version of the much acclaimed The Vatican Pimpernel by Brian Fleming which was originally published in 2008.
The story of Monsignor O'Flaherty is legendary. According to author Alison Walsh, speaking to the Kerryman newspaper, she said, “Hugh did what he felt was necessary during a dark and difficult time.”
”The Gestapo chief Kappler had ordered Hugh be captured or killed, yet Hugh regularly donned disguises and ventured out into the city. It was a thrilling game of cat and mouse between the Nazi's and Hugh's network of helpers, which included nuns, communists, a Swiss Count , British soldiers and the singer Delia Murphy.”
She added, “It's such a great story we thought children would appreciate their own version.”
Monsignor Flaherty died in 1963 aged 65 years.
SIC: CIN/IE