The Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society in Killarney has paid tribute to the late Donie Courtney whose one-man play on the life and times of the famous Killarney cleric was legendary.
Society chairman Jerry O’Grady said it was with great shock and sadness that he heard of the untimely passing of the renowned drama coach, playwright, producer, director and performer.
“In late 2012, Donie, the son of our founding chairman the late Cllr Michael Courtney, contacted the O’Flaherty Society to advise us of his intentions to write, produce and perform a one-man play on the life of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty.
“It was a remarkable piece of writing and acting, attracting high praise from all who saw it,” he added.
Donal went on to perform the play, God Has No Country, around Ireland, the UK, Europe and the USA, including a very special performance in Rome at the invitation of the Irish Ambassador to the Holy See.
In February 2019, the play had its 100th performance during a short run at the INEC in Killarney.
“Prior to that performance, we presented Donie with one of Monsignor O’Flaherty’s golf clubs. He made extensive use of a golf club throughout the play and from then on, he could do so with one used by the monsignor during his golfing exploits in Rome and Kerry,” Mr O’Grady said.
Donie’s last performance for the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society was during the June 2019 memorial weekend at the presentation of the Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award to members of the Irish UN peacekeepers.
The centre piece of the Ceremony in St Mary’s Church of Ireland was Donie’s play, performed before government ministers and officials, defence forces senior Sstaff officers, UN veterans and several ambassadors.
“Before the onset of Covid-19 we were in regular contact with Donie, discussing his plans to extend the touring programme. Through his play he has dramatically extended the reach of the Hugh O’Flaherty story, in particular throughout the student population of Ireland,” Mr O’Grady stated.
“The members of the memorial society will greatly miss Donie – a true friend who used his great creative talent to help us spread awareness in a most unique way.
“To his wife Adeline and his two young children and to his siblings and the wider Courtney family, we extend our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences. A master dramatist has left us but his legacy remains.
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