The Second World War remains one of the most consequential and compelling periods in history.

We are in equal measure repulsed by the unspeakable horrors perpetrated across the world in the 1940s,

but also inspired by the outstanding bravery and courage of those who resisted fascism.

One such inspirational, if somewhat forgotten figure, is the Irish priest, Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty.

During the war, he organised an escape line in the Vatican that allowed thousands of people wanted by the Nazis to escape death.

This made O'Flaherty a wanted man by the Gestapo. Indeed, he was lucky to survive the war.

While he was celebrated in some circles, strangely, his story was not widely known in Ireland in the decades following the war.

Now this has changed somewhat in recent years.

Documentaries, books and the efforts of people in Killarney, the town where he grew up, have brought his story to greater attention.

In the last few years the widely acclaimed novels by the celebrated Irish writer Joseph O'Connor,

in his Rome Escape Line trilogy, have further highlighted O'Flaherty and his incredible heroism during the war.

Building on this, on Pust, Ireland's Postal Service has launched a new commemorative stamp marking the centenary of

Hugh O'Flaherty's ordination as a priest.

To mark this occasion, this episode explores the incredible life of Hugh O'Flaherty.

If this is your first time tuning in, my name is Finn DeWire.

This is the Irish History podcast, and over the course of this show, you'll hear from

Jerry O'Grady, a Killarney man who has spent years drawing attention to Hugh O'Flaherty's story.

Catherine O'Flaherty, a relative of the month's senior and a filmmaker, and then later in the

episode, the novelist Joseph O'Connor.

Just before we start, as I mentioned, this episode is made in association with

Anpost, who've just released a new stamp of Monsignor Huo Flaherty.

The stamp, designed by Una Young, features a drawing of Hugh O'Flaherty, commissioned when he was

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