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Investigates Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates Daft.ie Property Allianz Home The 42 Sport TG4 Entertainment The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Mural commemorating Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, by Ursula Meehan, O'Flaherty Street, Killarney. The Monsignor is known as the Pimpernel of the Vatican.Alamy Stock Photo New stamp commemorates Irish priest who saved thousands from the Nazis Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty saved more than 6,000 Allied prisoners of war, anti-Fascists, and Jews from Nazi concentration and prisoner-of-war camps. 5.47pm, 21 Oct 2025 Share options A NEW STAMP was unveiled at the GPO today commemorating Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, an Irish priest who was ordained a century ago in Rome. Born in Cork in 1898, O’Flaherty grew up in Killarney and studied for a BA in Theology in Rome. He was ordained and assigned to the Vatican Diplomatic Service and served in Egypt, Haiti, Santo Domingo and what was formerly known as Czechoslovakia, before returning to Rome in 1938. On his return he worked in the Holy Office. From the late summer of 1943, O’Flaherty worked with “The Organisation”, a massive partisan network, to save more than 6,000 Allied prisoners of war, anti-Fascists, and Jews from Nazi concentration and prisoner-of-war camps. Initially, many people dismissed accounts of Nazi atrocities as Allied propaganda, but O’Flaherty saw how Italian Jews were being treated during WWII. It’s noted that he realised Europe was witnessing and participating in a genocide. From there, he worked to keep war refugees hidden and safe, and following the war, he was the only person to visit Gestapo chief Herbert Kappler – the head of Hitler’s secret police and a sworn adversary of O’Flaherty’s – in prison in Rome. Advertisement Kappler had repeatedly plotted to kidnap, torture, and execute O’Flaherty for his work in aiding those escaping Nazi persecution. O’Flaherty’s visit to Kappler was noted as a sign of his capacity for compassion, despite this. O’Flaherty has been honoured with a statue and a mural in Co Kerry for his work. He was also the central focus of 1983 film The Scarlet and the Black, where he was portrayed by Gregory Peck. The stamp, which was unveiled today, is available from Thursday.An Post Today, Minister for Culture Patrick O’Donovan unveiled the stamp commemorating O’Flaherty. He said: “Few figures embody courage and compassion in the face of evil more than Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. His actions in Rome during the darkest days of the Second World War remind us of the power of conscience and humanity, even when doing what is right comes at great personal risk. “This stamp is a fitting tribute to a remarkable Irishman whose legacy continues to inspire decency, courage and hope around the world.” The new stamp by Irish designer Oonagh Young features a drawing of Monsignor O’Flaherty, commissioned when he was in Rome, with a silhouette of birds taking flight representing all those whom he helped to save. Together with a special First Day Cover envelope, it is available from Thursday 23 October at selected post offices and online. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. 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Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Hugh O’Flaherty Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty PodcastThe Candidate We sit down with Catherine Connolly 18 mins ago ‘I hardly know what day it is,’ says Humphreys over Shane O’Farrell inquiry vote query 27 mins ago Trump's promised Budapest meeting with Putin is no longer happening 36 mins ago Taoiseach says girl allegedly assaulted in Dublin was 'failed' as review launched into her care 58 mins ago Former garda who incited rape of colleague to plead guilty to leaking PULSE data of 14 people 3 days to go Connolly says it's the ‘daftest thing ever’ to claim she should've declared her work for banks Evening Wrap The 5 at 5: Tuesday JOB HISTORY Humphreys questioned about credit union that she managed taking debtors to court West Dublin Man (26) appears in court charged over sexual assault of young girl near Citywest hotel Citywest Hotel Young girl allegedly assaulted in west Dublin had gone missing from Tusla care The Morning Lead Town missing unit of gardaí after four members injured in two serious assault incidents Niall O'Connor more from us Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. 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