Mags GarganCorkman Michael O’Flynn was recently honoured by Pope Francis when he was appointed a Knight of Saint Gregory. Such papal knighthoods are awarded to those who have given outstanding service to the Church on a voluntary basis. Mr O’Flynn, who is well known as a developer, has been advising the diocese over the past number of years in relation to the former diocesan college site at Farranferris.
Since the college’s closure, the site has been transformed into an educational complex on the Northside of Cork City, housing a Gaelscoil, several back-to– work schemes through Northside Community Enterprises, further education courses and a community based creche.
Bishop John Buckley, in paying tribute to Mr O’Flynn, said that without his advice, guidance and support, Farranferris would be derelict and the services that are offered there would not exist. In that sense, the old diocesan college site has become a remarkable community resource and an example of the Church’s social outreach.