The Father Flanagan Group
in the Parish of Ballintubber-Ballymoe are pleased to announce the
opening of a visitor centre to honour one of Ballymoe’s most famous
sons, Father Edward J Flanagan, founder of the world-renowned Boys Town
in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
With the support of the Diocese of Elphin, the Father
Flanagan Group have completed the renovation of the presbytery in
Ballymoe to become the diocesan and national focal point for
commemoration of Father Flanagan in Ireland, where visitors can learn
about his life and mission. The renovation work, costing approximately
€70,000, commenced in 2021 with funding for the project obtained through
donations, from the Diocese of Elphin, as well as very generous
sponsorship from the Father Flanagan League in the USA – a group which
promotes awareness of the sanctity and holiness of his life.
The renovation of the presbytery follows on from
previous Father Flanagan projects that have already been completed in
Ballymoe. A life-size statue of Father Flanagan, designed by the
American sculptor Fred Hoppe, already proudly stands at the site of the
local Community Centre, while the Father Flanagan Memorial Garden,
constructed in 2016, lies at the rear of the new visitor centre, beside
Saint Croan’s Church. The garden is carefully laid out to reflect the
life and work of Father Flanagan and contains storyboards detailing his
life and his many famous writings, as well as a specially commissioned
wooden sculpture.
From a family of eleven, Edward Flanagan emigrated from
Ballymoe to America with his sister Nellie, sailing out of Queenstown in
Cork on the S.S. Celtic and arrived at Ellis Island, New York on 27th
August 1904. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Omaha
on 26th July 1912.
Often described as Ireland’s greatest gift to America,
his life story was made famous by the Hollywood film “Boys Town”
starring Spencer Tracey and Mickey Rooney in 1938. The film won Spencer
Tracey an Oscar for his portrayal of Father Flanagan. Upon receiving the
Oscar, he gifted it to Father Flanagan at Boys Town, where it remains
today.
Father Flanagan was also a close confidante of US
President Harry Truman. He undertook several foreign missions on behalf
of the US Government, to highlight the plight of displaced and abandoned
children in Japan and Europe after World War II. It was on one such
foreign Presidential mission in Germany in 1948 that he died. He is
buried in Boys Town, and his tomb there receives thousands of visitors
annually.
The cause for the Canonisation of Father Flanagan was
opened in 2015 by the Father Flanagan League in Omaha and is currently
with the Vatican. He has the title of Servant of God Edward J Flanagan.
Recently, Father Flanagan has been included in the primary school
religious education programme, ‘Grow in Love’ as a Christian Hero under
the social justice lesson for 6th Class.
On Sunday 21st August, the celebrations in Ballymoe will
commence with Mass at 10.00am in St Croan’s Church, celebrated by
Bishop Kevin Doran. The opening and blessing of the Centre will take
place after Mass, followed by light refreshments in Ballymoe Community
Centre.
A delegation is expected to arrive in Ballymoe from
Omaha as many Nebraskans will be in Ireland this month to see their
football team, the Nebraska Huskers, play in the Aviva stadium, and some
will take the opportunity to visit Father Flanagan’s home village of
Ballymoe during their trip.
All are welcome to join the
celebrations in Ballymoe on Sunday 21st August. The Father Flanagan
Visitor Centre (F45 Y260) will be open from 11.00am to 2.00pm, Monday
22nd – Saturday 27th August.