Submissions are now being sought for a sculpture of one of Killarney's most famous figures. Although Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty was born in Kiskeam in North Cork, he grew up in the Kerry town and saved countless Jews during World War II.
In July 2008, a committee was formed to raise awareness of the Monsignor's life and fundraise for a prominent memorial in Killarney.
The group is now seeking submissions and has a budget of €70,000.
Monsignor O’Flaherty had a vocation for the priesthood and as a young seminarian, he was posted to Rome in 1922, the year Mussolini came to power in Italy.
He earned a degree in theology in just one year while studying in Rome, was ordained in 1925 and continued his studies for a further two years, earning doctorates in divinity, canon law and philosophy.
However, he will always be remembered for his role in saving countless Jews from certain death during World War II.
In the autumn of 1942, the Germans and Italians began to crack down on prominent Italian Jews and aristocratic anti-fascists. Having socialised with these people before the war, the Monsignor now hid them in monasteries and convents, in his old college and in his own residence.
In the spring of 1943, his operation broadened to include escaped British prisoners-of-war and shot-down allied aviators. He developed a network of safe apartments in Rome in which they could hide.
By the end of the war he had helped over 6,500 Jews, American and British Soldiers escape from the Germans and his activities earned him the nickname “Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican” as he became the master of disguises, evading capture from the Germans when he had to leave the security of the Vatican to go on his rescue missions.
After the war the Monsignor received many decorations, including, Commander of the British Empire and the US Medal of Freedom.
The Monsignor retired to Cahirciveen for the last three years of his life and on October30 1963 he sadly passed away.
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