Donogh O’Malley portrait presented to presidents of third-level education in Limerick

Donogh O’Malley portrait presented to presidents of third-level education in Limerick.Professor Dermot Nestor, Professor Vincent Cunnane and Professor Shane Kilcommins. Pic. Brian Arthur

A portrait of former Minister for Education Donogh O’Malley presented to MIC, UL, and TUS presidents

Mary Immaculate College (MIC) President, Professor Dermot Nestor, has been presented with a portrait of former Minister for Education, Donogh O’Malley, as part of national commemorations marking the 60th anniversary of his landmark education reforms.

The portrait, painted by Limerick artist Declan Chambers, was presented by Mr Chambers and Michael O’Dwyer to Professor Nestor, Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), and Professor Shane Kilcommins, President of the University of Limerick (UL), at the Regional Teaching Excellence Awards hosted by MIC in June.

The presentation forms part of a wider national programme marking six decades since O’Malley’s reforms, which are widely regarded as on of the most transformative developments in Irish education. During his 20 months as Minister for Education from July 1966 to March 1968, O’Malley introduced a number of significant initiatives, including free post-primary education, the establishment of the Kennedy Commission on Industrial Schools, nine Regional Technical Colleges and a third-level grant scheme.

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A quote attributed to O’Malley is inscribed on the back of the portrait, “Education is one great leveller upper – greater than wealth, greater than lineage, greater than power.” Donogh O’Malley, 10 September 1966.

Welcoming the presentation, Professor Dermot Nestor, said, Donogh O’Malley asked that his generation be judged by what it did for the children of its time. Mary Immaculate College takes up that challenge. He opened education to every child; what matters now is what is made of it. That is the work of this college — done with children, families, schools, and communities, and aimed at real change in their lives. His portrait belongs where that work goes on.

Michael O’Dwyer, who is coordinating elements of the wider commemorative programme, said:

“Donogh O’Malley succeeded in bringing education to the top of the political agenda during his very brief period of 20 months as Minister for Education. While he is best known for introducing free post-primary education, his other achievements, including establishing the Kennedy Commission on Industrial Schools, creating nine Regional Technical Colleges and introducing a third-level grant scheme, also deserve recognition. It gave me great pleasure to present a signed portrait of Donogh O’Malley to Professor Dermot Nestor, President of MIC. I hope the numerous students who enjoy a holistic education in Mary Immaculate will remember this pioneering Limerick man.”

The wider commemorative programme will continue over the coming year with a series of civic, academic and cultural initiatives marking the 60th anniversary of O’Malley’s reforms.

As part of the commemorations, Sixmilebridge Historic Society will unveil a plaque to Donogh O’Malley at the Little Church in Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, on Sunday, 6 September at 11am. The church is where O’Malley suffered a fatal heart attack in 1968. Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD will attend as guest of honour.