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Donogh O'Malley (Donogh Brendan O'Malley) was born on 18 January, 1921 in Limerick, Ireland, is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and rugby union footballer (1921–1968). Discover Donogh O'Malley's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 47 years old?

Popular As Donogh Brendan O'Malley
Occupation N/A
Age 47 years old
Zodiac Sign Capricorn
Born 18 January 1921
Birthday 18 January
Birthplace Limerick, Ireland
Date of death 1968
Died Place Limerick, Ireland
Nationality Ireland

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 18 January. He is a member of famous politician with the age 47 years old group.

Donogh O'Malley Height, Weight & Measurements

At 47 years old, Donogh O'Malley height not available right now. We will update Donogh O'Malley's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
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Who Is Donogh O'Malley's Wife?

His wife is Hilda Moriarty (m. 1947)

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Hilda Moriarty (m. 1947)
Sibling Not Available
Children 2, including Daragh

Donogh O'Malley Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Donogh O'Malley worth at the age of 47 years old? Donogh O'Malley’s income source is mostly from being a successful politician. He is from Ireland. We have estimated Donogh O'Malley's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income politician

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Timeline

1921

Donogh Brendan O'Malley (18 January 1921 – 10 March 1968) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and rugby union player who served as Minister for Education from 1966 to 1968, Minister for Health from 1965 to 1966 and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance from 1961 to 1965.

O'Malley was born in Limerick on 18 January 1921, one of eight surviving children of Joseph O'Malley, civil engineer, and his wife, Mary "Cis" (née Tooher).

Born into a wealthy middle-class family, he was educated by the Jesuits at Crescent College and later at Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare.

1922

It was at a rugby match in Tralee that he first met Dr. Hilda Moriarty (1922–1991), who he would go on to marry in August 1947.

Moriarty was from a Gaeltacht area in Daingean Ui Chuis, County Kerry and assisted him with the Irish language segments of his speeches.

The couple had two children: the actor Daragh O'Malley, and Suzanne, a fashion designer.

O'Malley's wife is famous as Patrick Kavanagh's ideal love in the poem "On Raglan Road".

Prior to meeting Hilda, O'Malley had been engaged to Audrey Harris (sister of the actor Richard Harris) who died tragically at the age of 21.

1926

Lemass introduced younger cabinet ministers, as the old guard who had served the party since its foundation in 1926 began to retire.

1930

Although O'Malley ran as a Fianna Fáil candidate (the party which emerged from the anti-Treaty side in the Irish Civil War), he was born into a politically active family who supported Cumann na nGaedheal (the party which emerged from the pro-Treaty side) until a falling-out with the party in the early 1930s.

He first became involved in local politics as a member of Limerick Corporation.

1943

He later studied at University College Galway (UCG), where he was conferred with a degree in civil engineering in 1943.

He later returned to Limerick, where he worked as an engineer before becoming involved in politics.

O'Malley played rugby at provincial level for Munster, Leinster and Connacht and at club level for Bohemians and Shannon RFC.

His chances at an international career were ruined by the suspension of international fixtures during World War II.

1954

He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Limerick East constituency from 1954 to 1968.

He is best remembered as the Minister who introduced free secondary school education in the Republic of Ireland.

Donogh O'Malley was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD for Limerick East at the 1954 general election; Fianna Fáil was not returned to government on that occasion.

1957

He spent the rest of the decade on the backbenches; however, his party was returned to power in 1957.

Two years later, the modernising process began when Seán Lemass took over from Éamon de Valera as Taoiseach.

1960

O'Malley was part of a new, brasher style of politician that emerged in the 1960s, sometimes nicknamed "the men in the mohair suits".

It was expected that this generation of politician, born after the Civil War, would be a modernising force in post-de Valera Ireland.

Although his sporting background was in rugby and swimming, it was Association football which O'Malley got involved in at a leadership level, becoming President of the Football Association of Ireland despite never having played the sport.

1961

He became Mayor of Limerick in 1961, the third O'Malley brother to hold the office (Desmond O'Malley was mayor from 1941 to 1943, and Michael O'Malley from 1948 to 1949).

O'Malley was a strong electoral performer, topping the poll in every general election he ran in.

In 1961, O'Malley joined the government as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance.

1965

Following Fianna Fáil's retention of power in the 1965 general election, O'Malley joined the cabinet as Minister for Health.

He spent just over a year in this position before he was appointed Minister for Education, a position in which he displayed renowned dynamism.

Having succeeded another dynamic young minister, Patrick Hillery (a political ally and friend who had attended medical school with O'Malley's wife, Hilda) he resolved to act swiftly to introduce the recommendations of an official report on education.

As Minister for Education, O'Malley extended the school transport scheme and commissioned the building of new non-denominational comprehensive and community schools in areas where they were needed.

He introduced Regional Technical Colleges (RTCs), now called Institutes of Technology, in areas where there was no third level college.

The best example of this policy is the University of Limerick, originally an Institute of Higher Education, where O'Malley is credited with taking the steps to ensure that it became a university.

His plan to merge Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin aroused huge controversy, and was not successful, despite being supported by his cabinet colleague Brian Lenihan.

Access to third-level education was also extended, the old scholarship system being replaced by a system of means-tested grants that gave easier access to students without well-off parents.

Mid-twentieth century Ireland experienced significant emigration, especially to the neighbouring United Kingdom where, in addition to employment opportunities, there was a better state provision of education and healthcare.

Social change in Ireland and policies intending to correct this deficit were often met with strong resistance, such as Noël Browne's proposed Mother and Child Scheme.

As a former Health Minister, O'Malley had first-hand experience of running the department which had attempted to introduce this scheme and understood the processes that caused it to fail, such as resistance from Department of Finance and John Charles McQuaid.

This influenced his strategy in presenting the free-education proposal.

1969

Shortly after O'Malley was appointed, he announced that from 1969 all education up to Intermediate Certificate level would be without cost, and free buses would bring students in rural areas to their nearest school.

O'Malley seems to have made this decision himself without consulting other ministers; however, he did discuss it with Lemass.